Time allocation and cultural complexity: leisure time use across twelve cultures

Abstract

This study is part of an effort to understand the effect of cultural evolution on leisure time through comparing time use across 12 cultures. We used an existing dataset initially collected by researchers affiliated with the UCLA Time Allocation Project (1987-1997), which contains behavioral data coded with standard methods from twelve native lowland Amazonian communities. We checked intraclass correlation for interdependence within cultures then used Poisson regression modeling to analyze the time spent on recreational activities as a function of cultural complexity, sex, and age. Our findings suggest that children and youths, as expected, played more than adults and males appeared to enjoy more free time than females. Most importantly, we found a curvilinear relationship between free time availability and cultural complexity, suggesting a dynamic change of leisure time along the evolution of culture from a lower level to a higher one. The results and implications for future research are discussed in depth.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2007 northeastern recreation research symposium

Citation

Chick, Garry; Shen, Sharon Xiangyou. 2008. Time allocation and cultural complexity: leisure time use across twelve cultures. In: LeBlanc, Cherie; Vogt, Christine, comps. Proceedings of the 2007 northeastern recreation research symposium; 2007 April 15-17; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-23. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 25-31.