The uses and abuses of tree thinking in cultural evolution

Cara L. Evans*, Simon J. Greenhill, Joseph Watts, Johann Mattis List, Carlos A. Botero, Russell D. Gray, Kathryn R. Kirby

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    29 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Modern phylogenetic methods are increasingly being used to address questions about macro-level patterns in cultural evolution. These methods can illuminate the unobservable histories of cultural traits and identify the evolutionary drivers of trait change over time, but their application is not without pitfalls. Here, we outline the current scope of research in cultural tree thinking, highlighting a toolkit of best practices to navigate and avoid the pitfalls and 'abuses' associated with their application. We emphasize two principles that support the appropriate application of phylogenetic methodologies in cross-cultural research: researchers should (1) draw on multiple lines of evidence when deciding if and which types of phylogenetic methods and models are suitable for their cross-cultural data, and (2) carefully consider how different cultural traits might have different evolutionary histories across space and time. When used appropriately phylogenetic methods can provide powerful insights into the processes of evolutionary change that have shaped the broad patterns of human history. This article is part of the theme issue 'Foundations of cultural evolution'.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number20200056
    JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
    Volume376
    Issue number1828
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 5 Jul 2021

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