Oaths, autonomic ordeals, and power

Cross-Cultural Approaches: Readings in Comparative Research • HRAF Press • New Haven • Published In • Pages: 169-195 •
By Roberts, John M.

Abstract

This chapter examines the presence of oaths and autonomic ordeals in relation to various socioeconomic variables. Several hypotheses are presented, all are supported.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)

Hypotheses (14)

HypothesisSupported
"[There is a] relationship between oaths and autonomic ordeals and . . . subsistence activity. . . . Animal husbandry is particularly important for societies having oaths, whereas agriculture is more important for societies having ordeals" (175)Supported
"[There is an] association between the presence of oaths and autonomic ordeals with larger communities" (175)Supported
"Absence of oaths and autonomic ordeals is associated with low political integration. . . . [Both] oaths [and ordeals] are associated with intermediate and high political integration" (178)Supported
"Oaths and autonomic ordeals are associated with high stratification" (178)Supported
"Economic complexity is associated with oaths and autonomic ordeals" (178)Supported
"The higher the level of jurisdictional hierarchy at both the local and supralocal levels, the more likely the presence of oaths and autonomic ordeals" (178)Supported
"Ordeals . . . are strongly associated with patrilineal descent. . . . Oaths are more generally distributed [among descent types]" (178)Supported
"Clearly there is a strong association between the presence of mother-child household and ordeals and oaths; more generally, an association between strong kinship groups and ordeals" (185)Supported
". . . high gods are associated with both oaths and ordeals. The absence of ordeals is also linked with the absence of high gods. Directionally oaths are associated with the presence of supportive gods" (185)Supported
"Directionally oaths are associated with the presence of supportive gods" (185)Supported
"Games of strategy are associated with ordeals" (185)Supported
"The use of divination in the trial situation was associated with both oaths and ordeals" (185)Supported
"Reliance on oracles in the trials was also linked with the presence of ordeals" (185)Supported
"Responsibility training . . . [and] obedience training [in childhood] are positively related to the presence of oaths and/or ordeals" (188)Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Megan Farrer