The research presented in this book challenges the notion that languages develop color terms independently of other languages. Authors find a universal inventory of eleven basic color categories from which the basic color terms are drawn. Authors also find an apparent fixed sequence of evolutionary stages through which a language must pass as its color vocabulary increases. A postive correlation between cultural complexity and complexity of color vocabulary is observed.

Using homicide rates as an indicator, this article examines the ecological factors that might be functioning as stressors in the environment of thirty-four East African tribes. A series of hypotheses dealing with the relationships between these stressors and tribal levels of aggressiveness are tested.

Using homicide rates as an indicator, this article examines the ecological factors that might be functioning as stressors in the environment of thirty-four East African tribes. A series of hypotheses dealing with the relationships between these stressors and tribal levels of aggressiveness are tested.

Using homicide rates as an indicator, this article examines the ecological factors that might be functioning as stressors in the environment of thirty-four East African tribes. A series of hypotheses dealing with the relationships between these stressors and tribal levels of aggressiveness are tested.

Different languages contain different numbers of basic colors. One interpretation is that more complex societies will have more basic color terms. Another interpretation is that peoples with less pigmented eyes will have more basic color terms. This paper suggests that both interpretations are necessary in order to predict the number of basic color terms.

Using homicide rates as an indicator, this article examines the ecological factors that might be functioning as stressors in the environment of thirty-four East African tribes. A series of hypotheses dealing with the relationships between these stressors and tribal levels of aggressiveness are tested.

This paper examines the Berlin-Kay color salience theory and offers four correlates of color salience: earliness of introduction, brevity of expression, frequency of use, and frequency of mention in ethnographic literature. All four correlations support the Berlin-Kay theory. The authors suggest that salience may be “an important general principle of cultural evolution” (1107).

This paper examines the Berlin-Kay color salience theory and offers four correlates of color salience: earliness of introduction, brevity of expression, frequency of use, and frequency of mention in ethnographic literature. All four correlations support the Berlin-Kay theory. The authors suggest that salience may be “an important general principle of cultural evolution” (1107).

Examines the cross-cultural correlates of belief in a high god or supreme creator. The results are compared to and found to be inconsistent with the theoretical perspectives of Swanson (1960) and Durkheim (1912).

Examines the cross-cultural correlates of belief in a high god or supreme creator. The results are compared to and found to be inconsistent with the theoretical perspectives of Swanson (1960) and Durkheim (1912).