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An investigation of the relationship between innovation and cultural diversity

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  • Kandler, Anne
  • Laland, Kevin N.

Abstract

In this paper we apply reaction–diffusion models to explore the relationship between the rate of behavioural innovation and the level of cultural diversity. We investigate how both independent invention and the modification and refinement of established innovations impact on cultural dynamics and diversity. Further, we analyse these relationships in the presence of biases in cultural learning and find that the introduction of new variants typically increases cultural diversity substantially in the short term, but may decrease long-term diversity. Independent invention generally supports higher levels of cultural diversity than refinement. Repeated patterns of innovation through refinement generate characteristic oscillating trends in diversity, with increasing trends towards greater average diversity observed for medium but not low innovation rates. Conformity weakens the relationship between innovation and diversity. The level of cultural diversity, and pattern of temporal dynamics, potentially provide clues as to the underlying process, which can be used to interpret empirical data.

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  • Kandler, Anne & Laland, Kevin N., 2009. "An investigation of the relationship between innovation and cultural diversity," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 76(1), pages 59-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:thpobi:v:76:y:2009:i:1:p:59-67
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2009.04.004
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bentley, R. Alexander & Ormerod, Paul, 2010. "A rapid method for assessing social versus independent interest in health issues: A case study of 'bird flu' and 'swine flu'," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(3), pages 482-485, August.
    3. Clampit, Jack & Kedia, Ben & Fabian, Frances & Gaffney, Nolan, 2015. "Offshoring satisfaction: The role of partnership credibility and cultural complementarity," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 50(1), pages 79-93.
    4. R. Bentley & Michael O’Brien & Paul Ormerod, 2011. "Quality versus mere popularity: a conceptual map for understanding human behavior," Mind & Society: Cognitive Studies in Economics and Social Sciences, Springer;Fondazione Rosselli, vol. 10(2), pages 181-191, December.
    5. Jie Yu & Bahodirhon Safarov & Lu Yi & Makhina Buzrukova & Bekzot Janzakov, 2023. "The Adaptive Evolution of Cultural Ecosystems along the Silk Road and Cultural Tourism Heritage: A Case Study of 22 Cultural Sites on the Chinese Section of the Silk Road World Heritage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    6. Salva Duran-Nebreda & Michael J. O’Brien & R. Alexander Bentley & Sergi Valverde, 2022. "Dilution of expertise in the rise and fall of collective innovation," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    7. Dominik Deffner & Anne Kandler, 2019. "Trait specialization, innovation, and the evolution of culture in fluctuating environments," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-10, December.

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