Can the Analysis of Micro-processes of Escalating Actions Bring Clarity to Some Macro-uncertainties of Cultural Evolution Theory?
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The article presents the results of a study that aimed to test some sociological assumptions at the macro level, via analysing micro-processes of social action. Namely, we have tested the predictions of Cultural Evolution Theory (CET) regarding the role of cultural and social capital in the materialisation of social behaviours. CET postulates the impact of two factors on action: the level of development of these capitals and the prevailing source of their origin, which can be either environmental or social. These factors determine the way individuals act: either by adhering to established cultural standards that govern our behaviour or by creating a tailored personal strategy. These represent a social mechanism enabling a dialectic process of cultural conservation and evolution. Our Actions Escalation Structural Theory (EAST) provides theoretical and empirical instruments to differentiate between these forms of behaviour as “prescribed” vs. “deliberate” actions. The research was conducted in the form of a mass poll and revealed a consistent correlation between the cultural and social characteristics of particular groups and the proportions of their “prescribed” and “deliberate” actions. We consider this to be a theoretical contribution to CET discussions. Some methodological output was demonstrated through the creation of a CET-EAST hybrid model, which has proven to be effective as an analytical instrument to test the assumptions of both theories. Certain specific observations regarding the operation of the EAST instruments were also recorded.
Authors: Oleg Chernozub, Valery Fedorov
Institution: Rosatom (Russia)
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7160054318