Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Published on: November 9, 2011
The different paths to cultural convergence
Larissa Mendoza Straffon1, Aliki Papa1, Heidi Øhrn1
1Department of Psychosocial Science, SFF Centre for Early Sapiens Behaviour (SapienCE), University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway larissa.straffon@uib.no; https://www.uib.no/en/persons/Larissa.Mendoza.Straffon aliki.papa@uib.no heidi.ohrn@uib.no andrea.bender@uib.no.
Abstract:
Morin envisions the adaptive landscape of graphic codes as an unfertile valley where writing rises as an isolated peak that humans managed to reach only on four occasions throughout all of history. By exploring the different paths to cultural convergence, we suggest an alternative landscape occupied by a mountain range of visual art systems. We conclude that graphic communication through visual art worked well enough to render writing contingent but not necessary in most cases.
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Cultural Influences on Personality
Convergent Evolution
Conformity
Region of Convergence
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...

