Models and Expertise effects elicited with experimental research techniques

This paper reports the results of two independent studies dealing with saliency effects within the domain of folkbiological knowledge. In Study 1 we present data from a free listing task that explored tree name generation among Tzotzil Maya of Zinacantán (Chiapas). Study 2 compares Menominee Native Americans with Majority Culture (nonprofessional) fish experts in central Wisconsin. Both studies explore patterns of informant agreement/disagreement, looking at the accessibility of certain kinds of biological knowledge, both within and across cultural groups. We show that both differences in levels of expertise / practice as well as habitual patterns of knowledge organization (spontaneous categorization) can lead to significant differences in the salience or accessibility of certain types of knowledge.