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Cooperation is related to dispersal patterns in Sino-Tibetan populations

Author

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  • Jia-Jia Wu

    (Human Evolutionary Ecology Group, Dept. of Anthropology, UCL)

  • Ting Ji

    (Theoretical Ecology Group, Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Qiao-Qiao He

    (Theoretical Ecology Group, Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Juan Du

    (Human Evolutionary Ecology Group, Dept. of Anthropology, UCL)

  • Ruth Mace

    (Human Evolutionary Ecology Group, Dept. of Anthropology, UCL
    Theoretical Ecology Group, Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

There is growing recognition in both evolutionary biology and anthropology that dispersal is key to establishing patterns of cooperation. However, some models predict that cooperation is more likely to evolve in low dispersal (viscous) populations, while others predict that local competition for resources inhibits cooperation. Sex-biased dispersal and extra-pair mating may also have an effect. Using economic games in Sino-Tibetan populations with strikingly different dispersal patterns, we measure cooperation in 36 villages in southwestern China; we test whether social structure is associated with cooperative behaviour toward those in the neighbourhood. We find that social organization is associated with levels of cooperation in public goods and dictator games and a resource dilemma; people are less cooperative towards other villagers in communities where dispersal by both sexes is low. This supports the view that dispersal for marriage played an important role in the evolution of large-scale cooperation in human society.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia-Jia Wu & Ting Ji & Qiao-Qiao He & Juan Du & Ruth Mace, 2015. "Cooperation is related to dispersal patterns in Sino-Tibetan populations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9693
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9693
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    Cited by:

    1. Alberto J. C. Micheletti & Graeme D. Ruxton & Andy Gardner, 2020. "The demography of human warfare can drive sex differences in altruism," Post-Print hal-02493903, HAL.
    2. Simpson, Cohen R., 2022. "Social support and network formation in a small-scale horticulturalist population," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 116694, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Siobhán M. Mattison & Neil G. MacLaren & Ruizhe Liu & Adam Z. Reynolds & Gabrielle D. Baca & Peter M. Mattison & Meng Zhang & Chun-Yi Sum & Mary K. Shenk & Tami Blumenfield & Christopher von Rueden & , 2021. "Gender Differences in Social Networks Based on Prevailing Kinship Norms in the Mosuo of China," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, July.

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