Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societies
Human groups tend to be much larger than those of non-human primates. This is a puzzle. When ecological factors do not limit primate group size, the problem of coordination creates an upper threshold even when cooperation is guaranteed. This paper offers a model of group coordination towards behavio...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Royal Society
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Royal Society Open Science |
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| Online Access: | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.230559 |
| _version_ | 1797742060499894272 |
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| author | Tamas David-Barrett |
| author_facet | Tamas David-Barrett |
| author_sort | Tamas David-Barrett |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Human groups tend to be much larger than those of non-human primates. This is a puzzle. When ecological factors do not limit primate group size, the problem of coordination creates an upper threshold even when cooperation is guaranteed. This paper offers a model of group coordination towards behavioural synchrony to spell out the mechanics of group size limits, and thus shows why it is odd that humans live in large societies. The findings suggest that many of our species' evolved social behaviours and culturally maintained social technologies emerged as solutions to this problem. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:35:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c820449f7bc4455b9d250f13793034b5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2054-5703 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T14:35:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | The Royal Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Royal Society Open Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-c820449f7bc4455b9d250f13793034b52023-08-17T07:53:57ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032023-08-0110810.1098/rsos.230559Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societiesTamas David-Barrett0University of Oxford, Trinity College, Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BH, UKHuman groups tend to be much larger than those of non-human primates. This is a puzzle. When ecological factors do not limit primate group size, the problem of coordination creates an upper threshold even when cooperation is guaranteed. This paper offers a model of group coordination towards behavioural synchrony to spell out the mechanics of group size limits, and thus shows why it is odd that humans live in large societies. The findings suggest that many of our species' evolved social behaviours and culturally maintained social technologies emerged as solutions to this problem.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.230559coordinationbehavioural synchronygroup sizeagent-based modelsocial networkssocial technologies |
| spellingShingle | Tamas David-Barrett Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societies Royal Society Open Science coordination behavioural synchrony group size agent-based model social networks social technologies |
| title | Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societies |
| title_full | Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societies |
| title_fullStr | Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societies |
| title_short | Human group size puzzle: why it is odd that we live in large societies |
| title_sort | human group size puzzle why it is odd that we live in large societies |
| topic | coordination behavioural synchrony group size agent-based model social networks social technologies |
| url | https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.230559 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tamasdavidbarrett humangroupsizepuzzlewhyitisoddthatweliveinlargesocieties |