Statistical evidence for an ecological explaination of warfare

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 84 • Published In • Pages: 645-649 •
By Ember, Melvin

Abstract

This study retests the data presented by Sillitoe (1977) in his study of the relationship between likelihood of warfare and population density in New Guinea. Contrary to Sillitoe, the author finds a strong and significant association between the two variables. The author also finds a significant relationship between the severity of food shortages and the frequency of warfare cross-culturally.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
OtherOther ResearchersSillitoe 1977
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Other ResearchersSmall random sample from C. Ember (1978)

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
Population density will be related to the likelihood of warfare for land in New Guinea (646).Supported
Cross-culturally, societies with more frequent warfare will be more likely to have more severe food shortages (648).Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Megan Farrer