A theory limited in scope and evidence. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miu, Elena; Boyd, Robert; Richerson, Peter J.; Morgan, Thomas J. H.
• Is Part Of: Behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 43(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X20000035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: What promised to be a refreshing addition to cumulative cultural evolution, by moving the focus from cultural transmission to technological innovation, falls flat through a lack of thoroughness, explanatory power, and data. A comprehensive theory of cumulative cultural change must carefully integrate all existing evidence in a cohesive multi-level account. We argue that the manuscript fails to do so convincingly.