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Who Helps Tsimane Children and Adults?

Author

Listed:
  • Eric Schniter

    (Center for the Study of Human Nature; Division of Anthropology, California State University Fullerton and Economic Science Institute, Chapman University)

  • Daniel K. Cummings

    (Economic Science Institute, Chapman University)

  • Paul L. Hooper

    (Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico and Economic Science Institute, Chapman University)

  • Maguin Gutierrez Cayuba

    (Gran Consejo Tsimane)

  • Jonathan Stieglitz

    (Toulouse School of Economics and Institute for Advanced Study, University of Toulouse)

  • Benjamin C. Trumble

    (University of Manchester)

  • Hillard S. Kaplan

    (Economic Science Institute, Chapman University)

  • Michael D. Gurven

    (Integrative Anthropological Sciences Unit, University of California-Santa Barbara)

Abstract

We consider several forms of helping behavior among Tsimane Amerindians of Bolivia, including provision of shelter, childcare, food, sickcare, loans, advice, and cultural influence. While kin selection theory is traditionally invoked to explain nepotistic nurturing of youngsters by closely related kin, much less attention has been given to understanding the help provided to children and adults by individuals without close genetic relatedness. To explain who provides the various forms of help that we consider, we evaluate support for several predictions derived from kin selection theory: that helpers are most often closely related and from an older generation, provide more help when help is costly, favor beneficiaries with high reproductive value, and tend to be maternal kin more than paternal kin. We also evaluate support for a relationship effort explanation for help among genetically unrelated adults. We define relationship effort as the beneficent investments made in trust-based relationships, such as among unrelated friends, mates, in-laws, and exchange partners. Our results support kin selection and relationship effort explanations for who helps Tsimane children and adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric Schniter & Daniel K. Cummings & Paul L. Hooper & Maguin Gutierrez Cayuba & Jonathan Stieglitz & Benjamin C. Trumble & Hillard S. Kaplan & Michael D. Gurven, 2024. "Who Helps Tsimane Children and Adults?," Working Papers 24-06, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chu:wpaper:24-06
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    File URL: https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/esi_working_papers/402/
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Help; Nepotism; Alloparenting; Relationship effort; Kin selection;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B52 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Historical; Institutional; Evolutionary; Modern Monetary Theory;
    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • Y8 - Miscellaneous Categories - - Related Disciplines

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