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 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.

Note

The mate provisioning model was not significantly associated with any knowledge domains. The anti-mate provisioning model had low support at 1.5%.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Generalize linear mixed effects modelSupport not claimedfixed-effect intercept: 6.2%UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
WealthDependentAccumulation Of Wealth
Hierarchy within Domain of ExpertiseDependentNONE
PrestigeDependentStatus, Role, And Prestige
Reputation for GenerosityDependentMutual Aid
Mate Provisioning ModelIndependentStatus, Role, And Prestige, Basis Of Marriage
Parental InvestmentDependentFamily Relationships
Provisions MateDependentFamily Relationships
Reputation as Good ParentDependentFamily Relationships
Mate FidelityDependentExtramarital Sex Relations

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 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.
Lightner, Aaron D.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.
Lightner, Aaron D.The collaborative cognition model of ethnoscientific expertise predicts narrow specialization, knowledge distribution, and collaboration and teaching by experts.
Scelza, B. A.Increased levels of paternal investment and provisioning were associated with harsher views of male, but not female emotional infidelity .