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Testing adaptive hypotheses of alloparenting in Agta foragers

Author

Listed:
  • Abigail E. Page

    (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
    University College London)

  • Matthew G. Thomas

    (University College London)

  • Daniel Smith

    (University of Bristol)

  • Mark Dyble

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Sylvain Viguier

    (University College London)

  • Nikhil Chaudhary

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Gul Deniz Salali

    (University College London)

  • James Thompson

    (University College London)

  • Ruth Mace

    (University College London)

  • Andrea B. Migliano

    (University of Zurich)

Abstract

Human children are frequently cared for by non-parental caregivers (alloparents), yet few studies have conducted systematic alternative hypothesis tests of why alloparents help. Here we explore whether predictions from kin selection, reciprocity, learning-to-mother and costly signalling hypotheses explain non-parental childcare among Agta hunter-gatherers from the Philippines. To test these hypotheses, we used high-resolution proximity data from 1,701 child–alloparent dyads. Our results indicated that reciprocity and relatedness were positively associated with the number of interactions with a child (our proxy for childcare). Need appeared more influential in close kin, suggesting indirect benefits, while reciprocity proved to be a stronger influence in non-kin, pointing to direct benefits. However, despite shared genes, close and distant kin interactions were also contingent on reciprocity. Compared with other apes, humans are unique in rapidly producing energetically demanding offspring. Our results suggest that the support that mothers require is met through support based on kinship and reciprocity.

Suggested Citation

  • Abigail E. Page & Matthew G. Thomas & Daniel Smith & Mark Dyble & Sylvain Viguier & Nikhil Chaudhary & Gul Deniz Salali & James Thompson & Ruth Mace & Andrea B. Migliano, 2019. "Testing adaptive hypotheses of alloparenting in Agta foragers," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 3(11), pages 1154-1163, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:3:y:2019:i:11:d:10.1038_s41562-019-0679-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-019-0679-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Laure Spake & Susan B. Schaffnit & Rebecca Sear & Mary K. Shenk & Richard Sosis & John H. Shaver, 2021. "Mother’s Partnership Status and Allomothering Networks in the United Kingdom and United States," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-25, May.
    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.

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