Exploring the interplay of technology, pro-family and prosocial behavior in settlement formation

Abstract

Abstract We present an agent-based model that explores the intricate relationship between pro-family and prosocial behaviors and their impact on settlement formation. The objective is to investigate how the technological level and various constraints influence the transition from pro-family to prosocial behavior. The model incorporates factors such as the specialization requirements of the technology, societal tolerance, and dynamic interactions within a synthetic population, where individuals may prioritize either their family or their own settlement. Agents’ fitness is determined by two components: the proportion of pro-family agents within their family and the fraction of prosocial agents in their settlement, along with its size. Our findings reveal that (i) the technological level drives the transition from pro-family to prosocial behavior, and (ii) the developmental requirements of the technology shape the smoothness of this transition, ranging from abrupt to gradual. These results emphasize the significance of considering the interplay between the technological level, the nature of the technology, and cultural influences when examining settlement patterns and the dynamics of pro-family and prosocial behaviors in human societies.