When compared to societies that favor permanent body modification, societies with lots of temporary forms of body decoration are generally:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Societies with lots of temporary forms of body decoration, such as tattoos and piercings, tend to be more open with high social mobility. This is because temporary body decorations are not seen as permanent markers of identity, and individuals are able to change their appearance relatively easily. In contrast, societies that favor permanent body modification, such as scarification or branding, tend to be more closed, favoring born-to or ascribed statuses. Merit-based status achievement and egalitarianism are not necessarily tied to body decoration practices. The idea of state-based societies does not seem particularly relevant to this question.

When Compared to Societies That Favor Permanent Body Modification, Societies