(10) Cultural Phylogenies

Question 1

Reticulations

Answer 1

Horizontal connectors between branching.

Question 2

Clade

Answer 2

A grouping. Classifies a trait based on a series of characters, both discrete and continuous.

Question 3

Homologies

Answer 3

Traits that are shared due to common ancestry.

Question 4

Homoplasies

Answer 4

Traits that are shared due to convergent evolution.

Question 5

Ancestral Character

Answer 5

A trait that is found in the common ancestor.

Question 6

Derived Character

Answer 6

A modification of the trait from the common ancestor.

Question 7

Phylogenetic trees seek to…

Answer 7

Maximize shared derives characters (homologies) and minimize homoplasies.

Question 8

Consistency Index (CI) / Retention Index (RI)

Answer 8

Total number of characters being considered / total number of changes in character state

CI = 1 = pure homology (no homoplastic changes)

Question 9

Galton’s Problem

Answer 9

The spurious correlations between cultures due to shared history. (Non-independence of the sample due to common descent.)

Question 10

TRIMs

Answer 10

Transmission isolating mechanisms.
- Maintains vertical transmissions of traits.
- Barriers against inter-cultural exchanges of information, practices, and materials (horizonal transmission).

Examples: language barrier, ethnocentrism.

Question 11

Forces that act opposite to TRIMs

Answer 11

Demic diffusion forces.
- Trade
- Intermarriage
- Mass media