Autocatalysis in cultural ecology: model ecosystems and the dynamics of biocultural evolution

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Abstract

Using a well-known mathematical model frequently applied in theoretical population dynamics, certain ecological mechanisms are investigated that are inherent in the organic evolution of cultural capacities in man. Culture is argued to involve ecological interactions exhibiting analogies to the interaction of chemical species in autocatalytic biomolecular reactions. In the model, biocultural evolution proceeds by more and more broadening ecological niches and, thus, releasing competitive selection pressure on the populations involved. This, in turn, facilitates the maintenance of polymorphism in these populations as well as the individual acquisition of organic traits through learning and cultural transmission. The result is that the genetic variance in phenotypic expressions decreases at an accelerated rate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)259-272
Number of pages14
JournalBioSystems
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1985
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autocatalysis
  • Biocultural coevolution
  • Cultural ecology
  • Population dynamics

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