PeerJ Preprints: Anthropologyhttps://peerj.com/preprints/index.atom?journal=peerj&subject=130Anthropology articles published in PeerJ PreprintsPreferences and constraints: The value of economic games for studying human behaviorhttps://peerj.com/preprints/273552019-12-042019-12-04Anne C PisorMatthew M GervaisBenjamin G PurzyckiCody T Ross
As economic games have spread from experimental economics to other social sciences, so too have critiques of their usefulness for drawing inferences about the “real world.” What these criticisms often miss is that games can be used to reveal individuals’ private preferences in ways that observational and interview data cannot; further, economic games can be designed such that they do provide insights into real-world behavior. Here, we draw on our collective experience using economic games in field contexts to illustrate how researchers can strategically alter the framing or design of economic games to draw inferences about private-world or real-world preferences. A detailed case study from coastal Colombia provides an example of the subtleties of game design and how games can be combined fruitfully with self-report data. We close with a list of concrete recommendations for how to modify economic games to better match particular research questions and research contexts.
As economic games have spread from experimental economics to other social sciences, so too have critiques of their usefulness for drawing inferences about the “real world.” What these criticisms often miss is that games can be used to reveal individuals’ private preferences in ways that observational and interview data cannot; further, economic games can be designed such that they do provide insights into real-world behavior. Here, we draw on our collective experience using economic games in field contexts to illustrate how researchers can strategically alter the framing or design of economic games to draw inferences about private-world or real-world preferences. A detailed case study from coastal Colombia provides an example of the subtleties of game design and how games can be combined fruitfully with self-report data. We close with a list of concrete recommendations for how to modify economic games to better match particular research questions and research contexts.The châtelperronian Neandertals of Cova Foradada (Calafell, Spain) used Iberian imperial eagle phalanges for symbolic purposeshttps://peerj.com/preprints/271332019-11-022019-11-02Antonio Rodríguez-HidalgoJuan Ignacio MoralesArtur CebriáLloyd A. CourtenayJuan L. Fernández-MarchenaGala García García-ArgudoJuan MarínPalmira SaladiéMaria SotoJosé-Miguel TejeroJosep-María Fullola
Evidence for the symbolic behavior of Neandertals in the use of personal ornaments is relatively scarce. Eagle talons, which were presumably used as pendants, stand out due to their abundance. This phenomenon seems to appear concentrated in a specific area of Southwestern Europe during a span of ca. 80 Ka. Here we present the analysis of one eagle pedal phalange recovered from the Châtelperronian layer of Foradada Cave (Spain). Our research broadens the known geographical and temporal range of this aspect of Neandertal symbolic behavior, by providing the first documentation of its use among Neandertals in Iberia, as well as of its oldest use in the peninsula. The recurrent appearance of large raptor talons throughout the Neandertal timeframe, including their presence among the last Neandertal populations, raises the question of the survival of some cultural elements of the Middle Paleolithic into the transitional Middle to Upper Paleolithic assemblages.
Evidence for the symbolic behavior of Neandertals in the use of personal ornaments is relatively scarce. Eagle talons, which were presumably used as pendants, stand out due to their abundance. This phenomenon seems to appear concentrated in a specific area of Southwestern Europe during a span of ca. 80 Ka. Here we present the analysis of one eagle pedal phalange recovered from the Châtelperronian layer of Foradada Cave (Spain). Our research broadens the known geographical and temporal range of this aspect of Neandertal symbolic behavior, by providing the first documentation of its use among Neandertals in Iberia, as well as of its oldest use in the peninsula. The recurrent appearance of large raptor talons throughout the Neandertal timeframe, including their presence among the last Neandertal populations, raises the question of the survival of some cultural elements of the Middle Paleolithic into the transitional Middle to Upper Paleolithic assemblages.Melody matters: An acoustic study of domestic cat meows in six contexts and four mental stateshttps://peerj.com/preprints/279262019-08-292019-08-29Susanne SchötzJoost van de WeijerRobert Eklund
This study investigates domestic cat meows in different contexts and mental states. Measures of fundamental frequency (f0) and duration as well as f0 contours of 780 meows from 40 cats were analysed. We found significant effects of recording context and of mental state on f0 and duration. Moreover, positive (e.g. affiliative) contexts and mental states tended to have rising f0 contours while meows produced in negative (e.g. stressed) contexts and mental states had predominantly falling f0 contours. Our results suggest that cats use biological codes and paralinguistic information to signal mental state.
This study investigates domestic cat meows in different contexts and mental states. Measures of fundamental frequency (f0) and duration as well as f0 contours of 780 meows from 40 cats were analysed. We found significant effects of recording context and of mental state on f0 and duration. Moreover, positive (e.g. affiliative) contexts and mental states tended to have rising f0 contours while meows produced in negative (e.g. stressed) contexts and mental states had predominantly falling f0 contours. Our results suggest that cats use biological codes and paralinguistic information to signal mental state.Deer Parks and Recreation. Zooarchaeological evidence form the Earls of Arundel Hunting Lodge in Downley (West Sussex, UK)https://peerj.com/preprints/276532019-04-152019-04-15Mariana NabaisMark RobertsNicole Barber
The deer park at Downley is one of many medieval parks known from the county of Sussex (UK), 8km north of Chichester. The park belonged to the Earls of Arundel and there is evidence of its occasional use by high-status figures, such as King Henry VIII. The park perimeter measures 6.6km and covers an area of 261.7ha. During the first season of excavation in 2014 the presence of a substantial lodge building was proven within the pale, the features associated with the lodge contained various archaeological and environmental remains. This paper focuses on the study of zooarchaeological materials recovered from the 16 trenches opened in 2014. All faunal remains were studied, revealing domestic animals such as cattle and sheep, as well as wild animals such as deer and boar. Fallow deer is the most frequent species showing a very complete body part representation, suggesting it was hunted and processed locally. Further work is carried out looking at body part representation, which is particularly important when looking at the ritualised dismemberment of hunted animals. In any hunting milieu dogs/hounds are prevalent, and are represented by some anatomical elements, but also by considerable evidence of gnawing marks on bones that were clearly humanly processed before being fed to the animals.
The deer park at Downley is one of many medieval parks known from the county of Sussex (UK), 8km north of Chichester. The park belonged to the Earls of Arundel and there is evidence of its occasional use by high-status figures, such as King Henry VIII. The park perimeter measures 6.6km and covers an area of 261.7ha. During the first season of excavation in 2014 the presence of a substantial lodge building was proven within the pale, the features associated with the lodge contained various archaeological and environmental remains. This paper focuses on the study of zooarchaeological materials recovered from the 16 trenches opened in 2014. All faunal remains were studied, revealing domestic animals such as cattle and sheep, as well as wild animals such as deer and boar. Fallow deer is the most frequent species showing a very complete body part representation, suggesting it was hunted and processed locally. Further work is carried out looking at body part representation, which is particularly important when looking at the ritualised dismemberment of hunted animals. In any hunting milieu dogs/hounds are prevalent, and are represented by some anatomical elements, but also by considerable evidence of gnawing marks on bones that were clearly humanly processed before being fed to the animals.The evolution of intergroup tolerance in non-human primates and humanshttps://peerj.com/preprints/34002019-04-072019-04-07Anne C PisorMartin Surbeck
Primate individuals use a variety of strategies in intergroup encounters, from aggression to tolerance; however, recent focus on the evolution of either warfare or peace has come at the cost of characterizing this variability. We identify evolutionary advantages that may incentivize tolerance toward extra-group individuals in humans and non-human primates, including enhanced benefits in the domains of transfer, mating, and food acquisition. We highlight the role these factors play in the flexibility of gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo, and human behavior. Given humans have an especially broad range of intergroup behavior, we explore how the human foraging ecology, especially large geographic and temporal fluctuations in resource availability, may have selected for a greater reliance on tolerant between-community relationships – relationships reinforced by status acquisition and cultural institutions. We conclude by urging careful, theoretically-motivated study of behavioral flexibility in intergroup encounters in humans and the non-human great apes.
Primate individuals use a variety of strategies in intergroup encounters, from aggression to tolerance; however, recent focus on the evolution of either warfare or peace has come at the cost of characterizing this variability. We identify evolutionary advantages that may incentivize tolerance toward extra-group individuals in humans and non-human primates, including enhanced benefits in the domains of transfer, mating, and food acquisition. We highlight the role these factors play in the flexibility of gorilla, chimpanzee, bonobo, and human behavior. Given humans have an especially broad range of intergroup behavior, we explore how the human foraging ecology, especially large geographic and temporal fluctuations in resource availability, may have selected for a greater reliance on tolerant between-community relationships – relationships reinforced by status acquisition and cultural institutions. We conclude by urging careful, theoretically-motivated study of behavioral flexibility in intergroup encounters in humans and the non-human great apes.Ecological illiteracy can deepen farmers' pesticide dependencyhttps://peerj.com/preprints/275792019-03-112019-03-11Kris WyckhuysKL HeongFrancisco Sanchez-BayoFelix BianchiJonathan LundgrenJeffery Bentley
Over 2.5 billion smallholders cultivate the world’s arable land, strategically positioned to tackle multiple Anthropocene challenges. When consciously adopting ecologically-based pest management practices, they can improve resource use efficiency, slow biodiversity loss, resolve environmental pollution and safeguard human health. Yet, the effective implementation of knowledge-intensive management practices requires underlying ecological concepts to be well-understood. Here, drawing upon published social science research spanning 1910-2016, we illuminate deficiencies in the world’s farmers’ ecological literacy and in their valuation of insect-mediated ecosystem services. Though tribal people and indigenous folk possess sophisticated knowledge of insects that occur within farm settings, contemporary farmers know a mere 2.0 pestiferous herbivores and 0.8 pest-killing organisms (out of a respective 8 and 3 taxa). Ecosystem services such as biological control are annually worth hundreds of dollars ha-1 but remain unknown to nearly 70% of farmers globally. Also, agricultural systems with deficient ecological literacy tend to foster a greater dependency upon chemically-synthesized pesticides. If this ‘cognitive handicap’ can be remediated, farmers could become biodiversity stewards and champions in redressing multiple aspects of global environmental change.
Over 2.5 billion smallholders cultivate the world’s arable land, strategically positioned to tackle multiple Anthropocene challenges. When consciously adopting ecologically-based pest management practices, they can improve resource use efficiency, slow biodiversity loss, resolve environmental pollution and safeguard human health. Yet, the effective implementation of knowledge-intensive management practices requires underlying ecological concepts to be well-understood. Here, drawing upon published social science research spanning 1910-2016, we illuminate deficiencies in the world’s farmers’ ecological literacy and in their valuation of insect-mediated ecosystem services. Though tribal people and indigenous folk possess sophisticated knowledge of insects that occur within farm settings, contemporary farmers know a mere 2.0 pestiferous herbivores and 0.8 pest-killing organisms (out of a respective 8 and 3 taxa). Ecosystem services such as biological control are annually worth hundreds of dollars ha-1 but remain unknown to nearly 70% of farmers globally. Also, agricultural systems with deficient ecological literacy tend to foster a greater dependency upon chemically-synthesized pesticides. If this ‘cognitive handicap’ can be remediated, farmers could become biodiversity stewards and champions in redressing multiple aspects of global environmental change.Endogenous testosterone correlates with parochial altruism depending on decision strategy in relation to costly punishmenthttps://peerj.com/preprints/275642019-03-042019-03-04Luise ReimersEli KappoLucas StadlerMostafa YaqubiEsther K Diekhof
Testosterone plays a key role in shaping human social behavior. Recent findings have linked testosterone to altruistic behavior in economic decision tasks depending on group membership and intergroup competition. The preferential treatment of ingroup members, while aggression and discrimination is directed towards outgroup members, has been referred to as parochial altruism. Here we investigated in two consecutive studies, whether testosterone is associated with parochial altruism depending on individual tendency for costly punishment. In the first study, 61 men performed a single-shot ultimatum game (UG) in a minimal group context, in which they interacted with members of an ingroup and an outgroup. In the second study, 34 men performed a single-shot UG in a more realistic group context, in which they responded to the proposals of supporters of six political parties during the German election year 2017. Political parties varied in their social distance to the participants’ favorite party as indicated by an individual ranking, which resulted in one ingroup (rank 1) and five outgroups of varying social distance (rank 6 referred to as the most distant outgroup). Participants also performed a cued recall task, in which they had to decide whether they had already encountered a face during the UG (old-new decision). In both studies, results showed a parochial pattern with higher rejection rates of outgroup than ingroup offers. Interestingly, higher salivary testosterone was associated with higher rejection rates related to unfair offers by the most distant outgroup, yet only in the group of self-oriented subjects (pro-selfs). Further, only the pro-selfs showed a memory advantage for unfair interaction partners in study 2, especially if those were ingroup members. The present findings suggest that the latent intergroup bias during decision-making, that was particularly visible in pro-selfs, may be related to endogenous testosterone. In line with previous evidence that already indicated a role of testosterone in shaping male parochial altruism in male soccer fans, these data underscore the general yet rather subtle role of testosterone also in other social settings.
Testosterone plays a key role in shaping human social behavior. Recent findings have linked testosterone to altruistic behavior in economic decision tasks depending on group membership and intergroup competition. The preferential treatment of ingroup members, while aggression and discrimination is directed towards outgroup members, has been referred to as parochial altruism. Here we investigated in two consecutive studies, whether testosterone is associated with parochial altruism depending on individual tendency for costly punishment. In the first study, 61 men performed a single-shot ultimatum game (UG) in a minimal group context, in which they interacted with members of an ingroup and an outgroup. In the second study, 34 men performed a single-shot UG in a more realistic group context, in which they responded to the proposals of supporters of six political parties during the German election year 2017. Political parties varied in their social distance to the participants’ favorite party as indicated by an individual ranking, which resulted in one ingroup (rank 1) and five outgroups of varying social distance (rank 6 referred to as the most distant outgroup). Participants also performed a cued recall task, in which they had to decide whether they had already encountered a face during the UG (old-new decision). In both studies, results showed a parochial pattern with higher rejection rates of outgroup than ingroup offers. Interestingly, higher salivary testosterone was associated with higher rejection rates related to unfair offers by the most distant outgroup, yet only in the group of self-oriented subjects (pro-selfs). Further, only the pro-selfs showed a memory advantage for unfair interaction partners in study 2, especially if those were ingroup members. The present findings suggest that the latent intergroup bias during decision-making, that was particularly visible in pro-selfs, may be related to endogenous testosterone. In line with previous evidence that already indicated a role of testosterone in shaping male parochial altruism in male soccer fans, these data underscore the general yet rather subtle role of testosterone also in other social settings.A ‘Denisovan’ genetic history of recent human evolutionhttps://peerj.com/preprints/275262019-02-102019-02-10João C TeixeiraAlan Cooper
As anatomically modern humans (AMH) migrated out of Africa and around the rest of the world, they met and interbred with multiple extinct hominid species. The traces of genetic input from these past interbreeding events, recorded in the genomes of modern populations, have created a powerful record of recent human migrations. The first of these events occurred between Neandertals, and a small group of AMH shortly after they left Africa, somewhere in western Eurasia around 55-50 ka, and left a genomic signal of about 2% Neandertal DNA that was subsequently spread across the rest of the world. In contrast to the Neandertals, the interbreeding events with other extinct hominid groups – such as the Denisovans, the east Eurasian sister group of Neandertals – remain poorly understood, but are potentially far more complex.
As anatomically modern humans (AMH) migrated out of Africa and around the rest of the world, they met and interbred with multiple extinct hominid species. The traces of genetic input from these past interbreeding events, recorded in the genomes of modern populations, have created a powerful record of recent human migrations. The first of these events occurred between Neandertals, and a small group of AMH shortly after they left Africa, somewhere in western Eurasia around 55-50 ka, and left a genomic signal of about 2% Neandertal DNA that was subsequently spread across the rest of the world. In contrast to the Neandertals, the interbreeding events with other extinct hominid groups – such as the Denisovans, the east Eurasian sister group of Neandertals – remain poorly understood, but are potentially far more complex.Repeatedly adopting power postures does not affect hormonal correlates of dominance and affiliative behaviorhttps://peerj.com/preprints/273892018-11-282018-11-28Hannah MetzlerJulie Grèzes
Background. Adopting expansive versus constrictive postures related to high versus low levels of social power has been suggested to induce changes in testosterone and cortisol levels, and thereby to mimic hormonal correlates of dominance behavior. However, these findings have been challenged by several non-replications recently. Although there is thus more evidence against than for such posture effects on hormones, the question remains as to whether repeatedly holding postures over time and/or assessing hormonal responses at different time points would yield different outcomes. The current study assesses these methodological characteristics as possible reasons for previous null-findings. By testing effects of repeated but short posture manipulations in a social context while using a cover-story, it further fulfills the conditions previously raised as potentially necessary for the effects to occur.
Methods. 82 male participants repeatedly adopted an expansive or constrictive posture for 2 minutes in between blocks of a task that consisted in categorizing faces based on first impressions. Saliva samples were taken at two different time points in a time window in which hormonal responses to stress, competition and other manipulations are known to be strongest.
Results. Neither testosterone and cortisol levels linked to dominance behaviors, nor progesterone levels related to affiliative tendencies, changed from before to after adopting expansive or constrictive postures. The present results establish that even repeated power posing in a context where social stimuli are task-relevant does not elicit changes in hormone levels.
Background. Adopting expansive versus constrictive postures related to high versus low levels of social power has been suggested to induce changes in testosterone and cortisol levels, and thereby to mimic hormonal correlates of dominance behavior. However, these findings have been challenged by several non-replications recently. Although there is thus more evidence against than for such posture effects on hormones, the question remains as to whether repeatedly holding postures over time and/or assessing hormonal responses at different time points would yield different outcomes. The current study assesses these methodological characteristics as possible reasons for previous null-findings. By testing effects of repeated but short posture manipulations in a social context while using a cover-story, it further fulfills the conditions previously raised as potentially necessary for the effects to occur.Methods. 82 male participants repeatedly adopted an expansive or constrictive posture for 2 minutes in between blocks of a task that consisted in categorizing faces based on first impressions. Saliva samples were taken at two different time points in a time window in which hormonal responses to stress, competition and other manipulations are known to be strongest.Results. Neither testosterone and cortisol levels linked to dominance behaviors, nor progesterone levels related to affiliative tendencies, changed from before to after adopting expansive or constrictive postures. The present results establish that even repeated power posing in a context where social stimuli are task-relevant does not elicit changes in hormone levels.Hibernation, puberty and chronic kidney disease in troglodytes from Spain half a million years agohttps://peerj.com/preprints/273702018-11-202018-11-20Antonis BartsiokasJuan Luis Arsuaga
Both animal hibernation (heterothermy) and human renal osteodystrophy are characterized by high levels of serum parathyroid hormone. To test the hypothesis of hibernation in an extinct human species, we examined the hominin skeletal collection from Sima de los Huesos, Cave Mayor, Atapuerca, Spain, for evidence of hyperparathyroidism. We studied the morphology of the fossilized bones by using macrophotography, microscopy, histology and CT scanning. We found trabecular tunneling and osteitis fibrosa, subperiosteal resorption,‘rotten fence post’ signs,brown tumours, subperiosteal new bone, chondrocalcinosis, rachitic osteoplaques and empty gaps between them, craniotabes, and beading in ribs mostly in the adolescent population of these hominins. Since many of the above lesions are pathognomonic, these extinct hominins suffered annually from renal rickets, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and renal osteodystrophy associated with Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). We suggest these diseases were caused by non-tolerated hibernation in dark cavernous hibernacula. This is evidenced by the rachitic osteoplaques and the gaps between them mainly in the adolescent individuals along with the evidence of healing mainly in the adults. The sublayers in the rachitic osteoplaques point to bouts of arousal from hibernation. The strong projection of the external lip of the femoral trochlea, the rachitic osteoplaques with the empty gaps between them,the “rotten fence post sign”, and the evidence of annual healing caused by non-tolerated hibernation in adolescent individuals, also point to the presence of annually intermittent puberty in this population. The hypothesis of hibernation is consistent with the genetic evidence and the fact that the SH hominins lived during a glacial period. The present work will provide a new insight into the physiological mechanism of early human metabolism which could help in determining the life histories and physiologies of extinct human species.
Both animal hibernation (heterothermy) and human renal osteodystrophy are characterized by high levels of serum parathyroid hormone. To test the hypothesis of hibernation in an extinct human species, we examined the hominin skeletal collection from Sima de los Huesos, Cave Mayor, Atapuerca, Spain, for evidence of hyperparathyroidism. We studied the morphology of the fossilized bones by using macrophotography, microscopy, histology and CT scanning. We found trabecular tunneling and osteitis fibrosa, subperiosteal resorption,‘rotten fence post’ signs,brown tumours, subperiosteal new bone, chondrocalcinosis, rachitic osteoplaques and empty gaps between them, craniotabes, and beading in ribs mostly in the adolescent population of these hominins. Since many of the above lesions are pathognomonic, these extinct hominins suffered annually from renal rickets, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and renal osteodystrophy associated with Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD). We suggest these diseases were caused by non-tolerated hibernation in dark cavernous hibernacula. This is evidenced by the rachitic osteoplaques and the gaps between them mainly in the adolescent individuals along with the evidence of healing mainly in the adults. The sublayers in the rachitic osteoplaques point to bouts of arousal from hibernation. The strong projection of the external lip of the femoral trochlea, the rachitic osteoplaques with the empty gaps between them,the “rotten fence post sign”, and the evidence of annual healing caused by non-tolerated hibernation in adolescent individuals, also point to the presence of annually intermittent puberty in this population. The hypothesis of hibernation is consistent with the genetic evidence and the fact that the SH hominins lived during a glacial period. The present work will provide a new insight into the physiological mechanism of early human metabolism which could help in determining the life histories and physiologies of extinct human species.