The Emergence of Culture Flashcards
(47 cards)
Describe primate and cetacean ontogeny.
primates and cetaceans characterized by prolonged immaturity and long life
What does primate cetacean ontogeny indicate?
prolonged dependence on learning; a lot to learn to become competent (complex!) adults
-learn by observing and participating in shared practices
Apes sexually mature at ~____ years
12
Tigers sexually mature at only ~____ years
3
Groups have __________ and different ______ at different stages
variety of age-class models, rules of behavior
culture is _____ _______
socially transmitted
Which animals have been shown to have menopause?
- few cetaceans (pilot whales, orcas)
- humans
- elephants
What is the significance of some animals have menopause? Why is it not expected?
- menopause indicates that long-lived matrons have knowledge, customs; grandmas have critical role in society
- unexpected because animals living longer than their reproductive time
How are orcas an example of changing traditions with matriarchal death?
old ladies in NW straights die, Orca pod finally takes more reasonable route
Rules change through _______
development
i.e. sex, how adults behave, how children behave, etc
When is a practice cultural?
when it varies within population of same species
Evidence for cultural traditions best if population differences cannot what?
be attributed to ecological differences alone
e. g Nuts and stones available in 2 chimp habitats, but only one population uses stones to crack nuts
- otherwise may more likely be individual trial and error learning (vs. socially mediated transmission)
Why is evidence for cultural traditions in animals controversial?
some models require “human specific” cognition (e.g. intentional imitation, teaching)–???
-doesn’t compare to our level
How are cebus an example of cultural traditions? (in relation to hunting)
cooperative hunting seen in some groups of Cebus, never in others (rare)
How are Japanese Macaques an example of cultural traditions?
Imo washed seweet potatoes, float seeds from sand
-spread laterlaly to her friends, then to their mothers, then to others, except oldest adult males
How are chimps an example of cultural traditions? (in reference to nut cracking)
Tai forest use stones
Gombe use logs
Mahale don’t
How are chimps an example of cultural traditions? (in reference to hunting)
In tai have specific roles; some are drivers, some are catchers, etc. due in base to bushy forest
kibale loosely organized
Gombe don’t
How are chimps an example of cultural traditions? (in reference to termite fishing)
in Bossou termite fish
in Gombe do it different
in Mahale hunt fish although termites available
How are cebus an example of cultural traditions? (in relation to trust building games)
finger in eye, suck fur, etc
tradition lives on although previous cebus’ died
What is considered basic social repertoire?
cultural-largely learned through observation/coparticipation
What are examples of basic social repertoire?
- how and when to groom, play with, support, oppose, when, etc
- includes arbitrary practices-like arm clasp grooming in certain populations
- Rhesus (typically despotic) raised with Stumptails acts egalitarian
- Harlow isolates do not know how to mate, parent, etc
Describe evidence for cultural transmission in cetaceans in relation to feed strategies.
- practiced differently by same species in different areas (e.g. sponges, crater fishing, etc.)
- (Mann et all 2009) shows Shark Bay sponging, practiced by a few, passed to next generation
Describe differents in social organization in cetaceans.
-same species can show differences in different regions (2 (Florida) v. 3 (Austrailian) coalition partners)
Describe how orcas exhibit occasional distinctive behaviors. (“arbitrary weirdness”)
- orca “fads” (carry fish bits), shore lived (e.g. 2 ays) practiced by large subset of animals
- orca greeting ceremony by well established pods meeting after a long time (neighboring groups line up to head, silent til all in line, then sudden noisy interaction)
