From a Cross-Cultural Study, Jack Goody Learned That Bridewealth Occurs

From a cross-cultural study, Jack Goody learned that bridewealth occurs more frequently in horticultural societies, whereas the dowry system is most frequently found in agricultural states. He hypothesized that one function of the dowry system was to __________.

A) consolidate property in the hands of elite groups, thus increasing their wealth and status
B) spread wealth out over a larger area so that everyone in the society had about the same level of affluence
C) counteract the practice of bridewealth, which was non-adaptive in an agricultural state because it allowed certain families to accumulate too much wealth by selling their daughters to the highest bidder
D) create an egalitarian society