Galton's Problem

Galton's Problem refers to the challenge in studying cultural or social similarities between different societies. It highlights that similarities may not be due to independent development but because of influence, contact, or shared history between groups. For example, neighboring societies might adopt similar customs because they interact, not because they developed them separately. This issue complicates efforts to determine whether similarities arise from independent innovation or from transmission between societies, which is important in understanding cultural evolution and social science research.