It is suggested that matrilocal (uxorilocal) residence is an adaptive re
sponse to the disequilibrium that occurs when a virilocal or patrilocal soci
ety migrates into an alrcady inhabited region. The sudden immigration
will result in external warfare between the migrating and indigenous so
cieties. Most of the world's societics (approximately 70 percent) practice
patrilocal residence and are characterized by the presence of fraternal
interest groups, which have been shown to be conducive to the frequent
feuding and internal warfare that also characterizes these societies. In the
face of severe external warfare, the chances of successful adaptation
would be increased if these societies could cease their feuding and internal
war and instead concentrate all their resources against the other society.
Matrilocal residence accomplishes this, because the dishersal of males from
their natal villages upon marriage results in the breakup of fraternol interest
groups. This theory was tested on a probability sample of forty-three so
cieties, using rigorous Narollian techniques and several statistical methods.
Test results show that, in contrast to patrilocal societies, matrilocal societies
tend to have recently migrated and to practice only external warfare. Com
monly held rival theories of matrilocality concerning environment and
female predominance in subsistence were also tested and failed to pro
duce significant correlations.
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