Question 1

What are the basic differences and similarities between horticultural and foraging populations? Indicate reasons for the contrasts.

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

Is the contrast between horticulture and agriculture one of degree,or are they entirely separate practices? What is the difference between these two types of cultivation? Cite ethnographic evidence in your answer.

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Question 3

With balanced reciprocity,the giver expects something in return equal to what was given.

Accepted Answer

Balanced reciprocity is an exchange in which the giver expects something of equal value in return, making it a type of reciprocal exchange.

Question 4

Anthropological analysis of potlatching contradicts the classic economics assumption that individuals are,by nature,profit maximizers.

Accepted Answer

Anthropological analysis of potlatching shows that individuals value social status and reputation more than material possessions or profit, which contradicts the classic economic assumption of profit maximization.

Question 5

Potlatching is a form of competitive feasting that enables individuals to redistribute surplus materials while simultaneously increasing their own prestige.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the practice of potlatching in Northwest Coast Native American cultures. Potlatches were elaborate ceremonial events in which hosts competed to distribute the most resources and gain the highest level of social status. The exchange of goods and food at a potlatch served as a means of demonstrating generosity, strengthening alliances, and solidifying social hierarchies.

Question 6

Although agriculture is much more productive per acre than horticulture,horticulture is more reliable and dependable in the long run.

Accepted Answer

This statement is subjective and cannot be definitively proven as true or false. Both agriculture and horticulture have their advantages and disadvantages, and which one is more reliable and dependable in the long run will depend on various factors such as climate, soil quality, market demand and availability of resources.

Question 7

The market principle dominates economic activities in band-level foraging societies.

Accepted Answer

In band-level foraging societies, economic activities are typically based on sharing and reciprocity rather than market exchange. Resources are commonly distributed within the group based on need, rather than being traded or sold for a profit.

Question 8

Agriculturalists tend to live in permanent villages that are larger and closer to other settlements than the semipermanent settlements of horticulturalists.

Accepted Answer

Agriculturalists require more land and resources, and thus tend to settle in permanent villages that are larger and closer to other settlements for trade and commerce. Horticulturalists, on the other hand, rely on small plots of land and often move their settlements to new areas to allow the soil to regenerate.

Question 9

In transhumant societies,the entire group moves with their animals throughout the year.

Accepted Answer

In transhumant societies, only part of the group moves with the animals seasonally, while the rest stays in the home village or area.

Question 10

Anthropologists often say that in nonindustrial societies,economic relationships are embedded in social relationships.What does this mean?

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Question 11

We should not view contemporary foragers as isolated or pristine survivors of the Stone Age.Why? What is the evidence to suggest this view?

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Band- and tribal-level societies actively promote craft and task specialization.

Accepted Answer

Band- and tribal-level societies typically have little task specialization beyond that based on age, gender, and individual skills, as their subsistence strategies do not support the high levels of specialization found in more complex societies.

Question 13

List the first four of Cohen's adaptive strategies and summarize the key features of each.What are the correlated variables for each strategy?

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Question 14

Imagine a foraging society that operates largely according to principles of generalized reciprocity,just prior to being colonized.Now defend the following statement: "Capitalism is not just an economic system; it is also a cultural system."

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Question 15

The high level of intensification and long-term dependability of horticulture paved the way for the emergence of large urban settlements and the first states.

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Question 16

A mode of production is a way of organizing production,whereas the means of production include the factors of production such as land,labor,and technology.

Accepted Answer

This statement is correct. A mode of production refers to the social relations and organization of labor in a society, while the means of production are the resources and tools used to produce goods and services, such as land, labor, and technology.

Question 17

Pastoralists are specialized herders whose subsistence strategies are focused on domesticated animals.

Accepted Answer

Pastoralists rely on domesticated animals for their livelihood and optimize their subsistence strategies around the care and management of these animals.

Question 18

In nonindustrial societies,economic activities are embedded in the society.

Accepted Answer

In nonindustrial societies, economic activities such as agriculture and trade are often intertwined with social and cultural practices, and are not separate from other aspects of daily life. This is in contrast to industrial societies where economic activities tend to be more separate from social and cultural practices, and are organized around the pursuit of profit and efficiency.

Question 19

In most foraging societies,private ownership of bounded land has been almost nonexistent.

Accepted Answer

In foraging societies, land is typically seen as a common resource that belongs to the entire community, rather than something that can be owned by individuals or families. Hunter-gatherers often move frequently in search of resources, and their territories may overlap with those of other groups, making it difficult to establish clear boundaries or claim exclusive ownership of land.

Question 20

With generalized reciprocity,the individuals participating in the exchange usually do not know the other person prior to the exchange.

Accepted Answer

Generalized reciprocity refers to a form of exchange where the giving and receiving of goods or services are not immediately reciprocated, and the parties involved often have a continuing relationship, implying they usually know each other prior to the exchange.

Quiz 16: Making a Living