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 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.

Note

The cultural transmission model was significantly positively correlated to the motor knowledge domain, with a log odds ratio greater than 4, and significantly negatively correlated to the medicinal knowledge domain, with a log odds ratio of -4.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Generalized linear mixed effects modelSupport claimedfixed-effect intercept: 14.5%UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Teaching by ExpertsDependentNONE
Reputation for EfficacyDependentStatus, Role, And Prestige
Cultural Transmission ModelIndependentNONE
Hierarchy within Domain of ExpertiseDependentNONE
Widespread Knowledge DomainDependentTalent Mobility
PrestigeDependentStatus, Role, And Prestige
Assists with Common ProblemsDependentNONE
Influential Outside Area of ExpertiseDependentStatus, Role, And Prestige
DeferenceDependentEtiquette
Reputation for GenerosityDependentMutual Aid
Others Seek Proximity to ExpertDependentNONE

Related Hypotheses

Main AuthorHypothesis
Lightner, Aaron D.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.
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 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 collaborative cognition model of ethnoscientific expertise predicts narrow specialization, knowledge distribution, and collaboration and teaching by experts.
Garfield, Zachary H.Prestige biased oblique transmission will be widespread and important among hunter-gatherers (31).