Experimental evidence for the influence of group size on cultural complexity

Maxime Derex (), Marie-Pauline Beugin, Bernard Godelle and Michel Raymond
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Maxime Derex: University of Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
Marie-Pauline Beugin: University of Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
Bernard Godelle: University of Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
Michel Raymond: University of Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France

Nature, 2013, vol. 503, issue 7476, 389-391

Abstract: A dual-task computer game played by groups of different sizes is used to show that cultural evolution (the maintenance or improvement of cultural knowledge) strongly depends on population size; in larger groups of players, higher cultural complexity and cultural trait diversity are maintained, and improvements to existing cultural traits are more frequent.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/nature12774

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