title: Camp stability predicts patterns of hunter-gatherer cooperation.
abstract: Humans regularly cooperate with non-kin, which has been theorized to require reciprocity between repeatedly interacting and trusting individuals. However, the role of repeated interactions has not previously been demonstrated in explaining real-world patterns of hunter-gatherer cooperation. Here we explore cooperation among the Agta, a population of Filipino hunter-gatherers, using data from both actual resource transfers and two experimental games across multiple camps. Patterns of cooperation vary greatly between camps and depend on socio-ecological context. Stable camps (with fewer changes in membership over time) were associated with greater reciprocal sharing, indicating that an increased likelihood of future interactions facilitates reciprocity. This is the first study reporting an association between reciprocal cooperation and hunter-gatherer band stability. Under conditions of low camp stability individuals still acquire resources from others, but do so via demand sharing (taking from others), rather than based on reciprocal considerations. Hunter-gatherer cooperation may either be characterized as reciprocity or demand sharing depending on socio-ecological conditions.
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: Daniel
authors: 0000-0001-6467-2023
authors: D
authors: Smith
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: Mark
authors: 0000-0001-6861-1631
authors: M
authors: Dyble
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: James
authors: 0000-0002-3219-2655
authors: J
authors: Thompson
authors: Bristol Zoological Society , Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA , UK.
authors: Katie
authors: 0000-0003-3700-9239
authors: K
authors: Major
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: Abigail E
authors: 0000-0002-0973-1569
authors: AE
authors: Page
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: Nikhil
authors: 0000-0001-7528-8529
authors: N
authors: Chaudhary
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: Gul Deniz
authors: 0000-0001-9538-3064
authors: GD
authors: Salali
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: Lucio
authors: 0000-0002-9396-3249
authors: L
authors: Vinicius
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: Andrea Bamberg
authors: 0000-0003-4364-2735
authors: AB
authors: Migliano
authors: Department of Anthropology , University College London , 14 Taviton Street, London WC1H 0BW , UK.
authors: Ruth
authors: 0000-0002-6137-7739
authors: R
authors: Mace
keywords: cooperation; demand sharing; experimental games; hunter–gatherers; mobility; reciprocity