Hypotheses
- Diachronic lineage transitions within a society are more likely to move away from matriliny than toward matriliny (p. 11).Shenk, Mary K. - When does matriliny fail? The frequencies and causes of transitions to and f..., 2019 - 2 Variables
Researchers looked at 180 of the 186 societies in the SCCS for changes over time in lineage systems. The goal was to estimate the frequency of transitions away from and to matriliny cross-culturally, as well as explore the potential causes of these patterns / transitions. The study focused on two overarching research questions: 1. How common are transitions away from matriliny and how often do ‘reverse transitions’ to matriliny occur? 2. What causes transitions to or from matriliny? Overall, the study found that transitions away from matriliny have been quite common within the time frames covered by the ethnographic samples available, while transitions from another system to matrility have been rare. In answering the second question, the researchers report the highest correlation is between subsistence transitions (towards pastoralism, intensive agriculture, or a market economy) and lineage transitions (away from matriliny) as well as between higher levels of social complexity (measured by stratification, slavery, and population size) and lineage transitions (away from matriliny).
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - Matriliny/matrilocality is associated with horticulture as a means of subsistence.Surowiec, Alexandra - A worldwide view of matriliny: using cross-cultural analyses to shed light o..., 2019 - 8 Variables
The study is about matrilineal systems, where descent is traced along female lines. Matrilineal systems are relatively rare in human populations, and previous research has discussed the rarity and apparent instability of matriliny. The study aims to study the evolution of descent systems on a worldwide scale. The study tests for significant associations between matriliny and numerous cultural traits that have been theoretically associated with its stability or loss, such as subsistence strategy, animal domestication, mating system, residence pattern, wealth transfer, and property succession. Additionally, by combining genetic and linguistic information to build a global supertree that includes 16 matrilineal populations, the study also performs phylogenetically controlled analyses to assess the patterns of correlated evolution between descent and other traits.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - Genital mutilation/cutting is associated with subsistence type.Šaffa, Gabriel - Global phylogenetic analysis reveals multiple origins and correlates of geni..., 2022 - 11 Variables
This study is a comprehensive analysis of female and male genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C and MGM/C) practices, including their history and socio-ecological correlates, using a phylogenetic cross-cultural framework. It employed two global ethnographic samples, the Ethnographic Atlas (EA) and the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample (SCCS), and two subsets of the phylogeny (supertree) of human populations based on genetic and linguistic data, to investigate the variables that may have led to the introduction of these practices, and to determine where and when they may have originated. The study suggests that MGM/C probably originated in polygynous societies with separate residence for co-wives, supporting a mate-guarding function, and that FGM/C likely originated subsequently and almost exclusively in societies already practicing MGM/C, where it may have become a signal of chastity. Both practices are believed to have originated multiple times, some as early as in the mid-Holocene (5,000–7,000 years ago). The study posits that GM/C co-evolves with and may help maintain fundamental social structures and that the high fitness costs of FGM/C are offset by social benefits, such as enhanced marriageability and social capital.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - Slavery will vary by type of subsistenceHrnčíř, Václav - Archaeology of slavery from cross-cultural perspective, 2017 - 12 Variables
The authors examine correlations between slavery and variables that can potentially be detected archaeologically. The authors do not test specific hypotheses, but aim to explore the variables in a broader sense. As such, the authors use a grounded theory approach to data analysis in order to examine trends that emerge from the data itself.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - Greater kinship system complexity is positively correlated with pastoralism (10).Rácz, Péter - Social Practice and Shared History, Not Social Scale, Structure Cross-Cultur..., 2019 - 2 Variables
Researchers examined kinships terminology systems for explanations regarding specifically observed typology of kin terms for cousins cross-culturally. They explore two theories, the first relating to population size via bottleneck evolution, and the second relating to social practices that shape kinship systems. Using the Ethnographic Atlas within D-PLACE, 936 societies with kinship system information were studied. The findings did not suggest a relationship between increased community size and a decrease in kinship complexity, however the research does suggest a relationship between practices of marriage and descent and kinship complexity.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - Changes in subsistence economy will be clustered temporally (453).Bradley, Candice - A cross-cultural historical analysis of subsistence change, 1990 - 1 Variables
This study employs optimal scaling analysis to examine change in subsistence economy in a cross-cultural sample of 73 societies. Findings are discussed in addition to methodological considerations for sampling.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - Changes in subsistence economy will be clustered regionally (453).Bradley, Candice - A cross-cultural historical analysis of subsistence change, 1990 - 1 Variables
This study employs optimal scaling analysis to examine change in subsistence economy in a cross-cultural sample of 73 societies. Findings are discussed in addition to methodological considerations for sampling.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - Semi-sedentary foraging, and-tool horticulture, plow agriculture, and pastoralism will be positively associated with witchcraft belief (p. 163).Koning, Niek - Witchcraft beliefs and witch hunts: an interdisciplinary explanation, 2013 - 5 Variables
This article posits an explanation of witchcraft based on developments of subsistence type and social stratification. In small foraging bands, individuals' fear systems evolved to detect deceit and other social dliemmas. Following a transition to farming communities, the fear system could become overstimulated, resulting in accusations of witchcraft. Various factors such as centralization of political control, property rights, and urbanization mark a shift toward more collectivist forms of social paranoia.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - Most societies will have experienced a recent change in subsistence economy due to world system contact (453).Bradley, Candice - A cross-cultural historical analysis of subsistence change, 1990 - 1 Variables
This study employs optimal scaling analysis to examine change in subsistence economy in a cross-cultural sample of 73 societies. Findings are discussed in addition to methodological considerations for sampling.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author - The adoption of cattle will be associated with the loss of matrilinyHolden, Clare Janki - Spread of cattle led to the loss of matrilineal descent in Africa: a coevolu..., 2003 - 4 Variables
Through phylogenetic comparison, Holden and Mace explore the relationship between descent and cattle among a sample of 68 Bantu/Bantoid-speaking populations in Africa. The authors posit that when matrilineal cultures adopt cattle, they become patrilineal. Possible theories are offered to explain trends and variation in the data.
Related Hypotheses Cite More By Author