Comparative study of reproductive skew and pair-bond stability using genealogies from 80 small-scale human societies

American Journal of Human Biology • Published In • Pages: 1-8 •
By Ellsworth, Ryan M., Shenk, Mary K., Bailey, Drew H., Walker, Robert S.

Abstract

Authors use genealogical data to investigate pair bond stability and reproductive skew across a sample of 80 small-scale societies. Results suggest that male reproductive skew and pair-bond stability are independent sources of cross-cultural variation in human mating patterns.

Note

Data for 61,181 siblings derived from 80 small-scale societies of varying subsistence modes and global locations.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
KinSources Other ResearchersOnline peer-reviewed repository of genealogical datasets
Hill et al. (2011) DatasetOther Researchers5 hunter-gatherer (foraging) societies
Walker et al. (2013) DatasetResearchers Own18 Amazonian horticultural societies

Hypotheses (7)

HypothesisSupported
Male reproductive skew (proxy measure being incidence of paternal half-siblings) will be highest in horticultural societies in comparison to other subsistence modes. (2)Partially supported
Male reproductive skew (proxy measure being incidence of paternal half-siblings) will be higher in societies at lower latitudes. (2)Supported
Pair-bond instability (proxy measure being higher incidence of maternal half siblings) will be greater where male contribution to subsistence is lower. (2)Not Supported
Pair-bond instability (proxy measure being higher incidence of maternal half siblings) will be lower at higher latitudes, irrespective of subsistence mode. (2-3)Supported
Pair-bond instability (proxy measure being higher incidence of maternal half siblings) will be greater in the absence of amassable, heritable resources. (3)Not Supported
Partible paternal societies will have higher fractions of paternal half-siblings than singular paternity societies. (3)Supported
Pair-bond instability (proxy measure being higher incidence of maternal half siblings) will be greater among partible paternity societies. (3)Not Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Christina Carolus