Ethnoscientific expertise and knowledge specialisation in 55 traditional cultures

Evolutionary Human Sciences • Vol/Iss. 3(e37) • Cambridge University Press • • Published In • Pages: 1-28 •
By Lightner, Aaron D., Heckelsmiller, Cynthiann, Hagen, Edward H.

Hypothesis

The proprietary knowledge model of ethnoscientific expertise predicts assistance with uncommon or serious problems, knowledge distribution, experts having reputations for and patrons because of efficacy, evidence of success, receipt of payment, narrow knowledge domain, possession of secretive knowledge, care about reputation, competition between experts, and purchase of knowledge.

Note

The proprietary knowledge model was significantly associated with the medicinal knowledge domain, with a log odds ratio of 4.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Generalized linear mixed effects modelSupport claimedfixed-effect intercept: 19.4%UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Knowledge DistributionDependentTalent Mobility
Proprietary Knowledge ModelIndependentNONE
Assists with Uncommon/Serious ProblemDependentNONE
Reputation for EfficacyDependentNONE
Evidence of SuccessDependentNONE
Receives PaymentDependentNONE
Knowledge Domain not WidespreadDependentNONE
Patronage Based on EfficacyDependentNONE
Possesses Secretive KnowledgeDependentOccupational Specialization
Cares About ReputationDependentStatus, Role, And Prestige
Experts CompeteDependentNONE
Expert Purchases KnowledgeDependentNONE

Related Hypotheses

Main AuthorHypothesis
Lightner, Aaron D.The cultural transmission model of ethnoscientific expertise predicts reputation for efficacy and generosity, hierarchy within domains of expertise, widespread knowledge domain, teaching by experts, prestige, assistance with common problems, influence outside areas of expertise, deference to experts, and others seeking proximity to experts.
Lightner, Aaron D.The collaborative cognition model of ethnoscientific expertise predicts narrow specialization, knowledge distribution, and collaboration and teaching by experts.
Lightner, Aaron D.The mate provisioning model of ethnoscientific expertise predicts hierarchies within domains of expertise, prestige, parental investment, reputation for generosity and good parenting, wealth, mate provisioning, and mate fidelity.
Lightner, Aaron D.The honest signaling model of ethnoscientific expertise predicts hierarchies within domains of expertise, prestige, public performances, costly lifestyles, rituals, and initiations, competition between experts, ornamentation, charismatic personalities, intelligence, multiple mates, better mate access for experts, and experts being sexually attractive.
Munroe, Robert L.Cold-climate societies, in contrast to warm-climate societies, will have more valid ethnozoological owl knowledge than warm-climate societies.