A quantitative analysis of intensification in the ethnographic record
Nature Human Behaviour • Vol/Iss. 2021 • Springer Nature • London • Published In • Pages: ??•
By Sandeford, David S.
Hypothesis
The cultural niche construction model predicts that more intensive systems of food production will be more productive per unit of energy input.
Note
Intensity and labor productivity in foraging, extensive, intensive, and early industrial societies were plotted. Intensity increased linearly over the four categories, labor productivity increased exponentially. These results suggest that more intensive systems will be more productive per unit of energy input.
| Test Name | Support | Significance | Coefficient | Tail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box and whisker plots | Supported | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Name | Variable Type | OCM Term(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Productivity | Dependent | Production And Supply |
| Foraging Societies | Independent | Food Quest, Land Use |
| Extensive Agricultural Societies | Independent | Tillage, Diet |
| Intensive Agricultural Societies | Independent | Tillage, Diet |
| Early Industrial Societies | Independent | Economic Planning And Development, Capital Goods Industries |
| Intensity of Labor | Dependent | Labor And Leisure |