Body-based units of measure in cultural evolution.

Science Vol/Iss. 380(6648) American Association for the Advancement of Science Published In Pages: 948-954
By Kaaronen, Roope O., Manninen, Mikael A., Eronen, Jussi T.

Hypothesis

Body-based measurement is common in the world's cultures.

Note

The authors identify four cognitive-cultural mechanisms that explain why body-based measurements developed and why they have persisted despite the presence of standardized-measurement systems: 1. Ergonomic design 2. Motor efficiency 3. Availability 4. Integration with local knowledge

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Ethnographic data analysisSupportedUNKNOWNUNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Presence of body-based measurementsDependentWeights And Measures