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 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.

Note

The honest signaling model was not significantly correlated with any knowledge domains. The anti-honest signaling model had low support at 6%.

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Generalized linear mixed effects modelSupport not claimedfixed-effect intercept: 6.6%UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
OrnamentationDependentOrnament
Experts CompeteDependentCompetition
Hierarchy within Domain of ExpertiseDependentNONE
PrestigeDependentStatus, Role, And Prestige
Honest Signaling ModelIndependentNONE
Public PerformancesDependentTalent Mobility
Costly LifestyleDependentNONE
Costly RitualDependentRitual
Costly InitiationDependentRitual
Charismatic PersonalityDependentNONE
IntelligenceDependentNONE
Multiple MatesDependentPolygamy
Mate Access for ExpertsDependentBasis Of Marriage
Sexually Attractive ExpertsDependentSexuality

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 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 collaborative cognition model of ethnoscientific expertise predicts narrow specialization, knowledge distribution, and collaboration and teaching by experts.
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.
Coltrane, ScottIn a multiple regression, paternal nurturance will predict female public role in decision making and access to shared positions of authority (1084).