Experimental evidence for scale-induced category convergence across populations

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Social Science
• Cultural Evolution

Background:

• Individual variation in categorization is significant.
• Large social groups were theorized to lead to divergent cultural trajectories due to path dependence in category formation.
• Anthropological data shows large, independent societies develop similar category systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate how diverse populations independently construct similar category systems.
• Explain the apparent contradiction between individual variation and societal-level convergence.
• Examine the role of communication network size in category formation.

Main Methods:

• Experimental study using an online "Grouping Game".
• Observation of category system construction in small and large populations.
• Development of a formal model of critical mass dynamics in social networks.

Main Results:

• Solitary individuals and small groups formed highly divergent category systems.
• Large populations consistently converged on highly similar category systems across independent trials.
• The formal model accurately predicted scale-induced category convergence.

Conclusions:

• Large communication networks filter individual lexical diversity.
• Scale-induced category convergence leads to replicable society-level patterns.
• Findings challenge previous theories and offer new insights into cultural evolution.