Transmission coupling mechanisms: cultural group selection

摘要

The application of phylogenetic methods to cultural variation raises Questions about how cultural adaption works and how it is coupled to cultural transmission, Cultural group selection is of particular interest in this context because it depends on the same kinds of meehanisms that lead to tree-like patterns of cultural variation. Here, we review ideas about eultural group selection relevant to cultural phylogenetics. We discuss why group selection among multiple equilibria is not subject to the usual criticisms directed at group selection, why.;_common phenomena, and why selection among multiple equilibria isnot Ilkely to be an importantforce in genetic evolution. We also discuss three forms of group competition and the processes that cause populations