Competing cultural strategies: The evolution of religion

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dc.contributor.committeeChairRice, Sean H.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberStrauss, Richard E.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberDurband, Arthur C.
dc.creatorRalph, David
dc.date.accessioned2016-11-14T23:31:30Z
dc.date.available2012-06-21T16:21:36Z
dc.date.available2016-11-14T23:31:30Z
dc.date.issued2012-05
dc.description.abstractUnderstanding the impact of culture systems and cultural evolution is integral to understanding human evolution. Cultural systems have the property of both horizontal and vertical transmission of non-genetic highly heritable cultural phenotypes. This is particularly important when group identity is related to a specific cultural phenotype, as in religious systems. This study examines the effects of the process of conversion, in which an individual’s phenotype is changed within its generational timeframe. A game-theory approach using behavioral strategies was used to model the cultural group interactions. A stochastic simulation and a deterministic analytical framework were used to model this system. Groups that used a conversion strategy outcompeted groups that used a kill strategy unless heavily constrained. The results suggest that the ability to convert may have played a substantial role in the evolution of cultural systems such as religion and government, as well as directly impacted the direction of human evolution.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2346/45227
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rights.availabilityUnrestricted.
dc.subjectCulture technique
dc.subjectEvolution of religion
dc.subjectCultural studies
dc.subjectGame theory
dc.titleCompeting cultural strategies: The evolution of religion
dc.typeThesis

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