Question 1

Why was group expulsion only rarely used as a form of punishment in small-scale societies?

Accepted Answer

Group expulsion in small-scale societies meant certain death for the individual due to the reliance on the group for survival, which indirectly weakened the group by reducing its numbers and potentially its strength.

Question 2

Because hunters and gatherers were often nomadic,the accumulation of goods was very difficult.Which of the following statement best characterizes societies where there is no accumulation of goods?

Accepted Answer

In societies where there is no accumulation of goods, everyone typically had roughly the same amount of belongings. This is because the focus was on immediate needs rather than long-term possessions, and goods were often shared within the community rather than being kept by individuals. Without the ability to accumulate wealth, there were fewer opportunities for inequality to develop, and social status was typically based on factors such as age, gender, or skill rather than possession of goods.

Question 3

The Inuit headman often assumes power through which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Inuit societies traditionally do not have formal political processes or elections. Power is often acquired by individual members of the community who are respected for their wisdom, decision-making abilities, and leadership qualities. In most cases, these individuals are not formally appointed, but rather emerge as leaders through the acceptance and recognition of other members of the community. This is typically based on the headman's experience and reputation, rather than the accumulation of goods or hereditary factors.

Question 4

Which of the following is a hunter-gatherer society likely to have?

Accepted Answer

Hunter-gatherer societies are typically small and egalitarian. Wealth and income are distributed equally among members, as there is not much accumulation of material possessions in such societies. A complex government and specialized division of labor are more commonly found in agricultural and industrial societies.

Question 5

Which of the following does self- or kin-based redress include?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Which of the following best characterizes self-based systems of redress in small-scale societies?

Accepted Answer

In small-scale societies, there are generally customary expectations about what constitutes appropriate punishments for different types of offenses. These expectations are based on community norms and values and are not necessarily codified into a formal legal code. Punishment may be carried out by individuals involved in the dispute or by community leaders, but it is not typically done by a neutral third party. The lack of a strong centralized authority means that disputes are often resolved through negotiation, mediation, and consensus-building rather than formal legal proceedings. Vague notions of right and wrong behaviour may also be present, but the emphasis is on maintaining social harmony rather than individual rights and responsibilities.

Question 7

Which of the following is the major goal of dispute settlement processes in small-scale societies?

Accepted Answer

The major goal of dispute settlement processes in small-scale societies is to restore harmony between parties in conflict. This is because small-scale societies usually have close-knit social relationships and an emphasis on maintaining group cohesion. Therefore, it is important to resolve conflicts in a way that preserves the relationships and harmony within the community. Providing restitution or punishing perpetrators may not necessarily restore the social harmony within the community. Satisfaction for the offended party may be a secondary goal but not the major one.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT considered a common cause of disputes in hunting and gathering societies?

Accepted Answer

Political power is not typically a common cause of disputes in hunting and gathering societies because these societies generally have egalitarian social structures with minimal hierarchical organization.

Question 9

In a small-scale society,the power of advisors who settle disputes is based on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

In a small-scale society, the power of advisors who settle disputes is based on their moral authority. This means that they are respected and valued for their ethical and wise decisions, rather than their hereditary position, ability to enforce compliance, or connection to kin on both sides of the dispute.

Question 10

For dispute settlement purposes,advisors are men who have a high social status within a small-scale society.Which of the following is one trait that did NOT contribute to this high social status?

Accepted Answer

Birthright was not typically a factor in determining the social status of advisors in small-scale societies. Instead, factors such as hunting skill, military prowess, and oratory ability were often valued.

Question 11

According to Ross (1989),which of the following is a native Indian victim who is required to testify about a crime most likely to do?

Accepted Answer

Ross (1989) highlights that in some Native Indian cultures, direct confrontation is avoided, and this cultural norm can influence a victim's willingness to testify about a crime, especially in a courtroom setting where direct confrontation with the accused is inevitable.

Question 12

Which of the following is a characteristic that a small-scale society is likely to have?

Accepted Answer

Small-scale societies often rely on kinship ties or personal relationships to address conflicts or wrongdoings, rather than formal legal systems. This is known as a kin- or self-based redress system. In these societies, there may be little economic inequality or formal laws, but there is usually a strong sense of collective solidarity among group members.

Question 13

In hunting and gathering societies,the social status of an individual was typically based on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

In most hunting and gathering societies, social status was based on the influence an individual had within the group. This influence was gained through qualities such as generosity, bravery, intelligence, and leadership. Kin relations, religious status, and wealth were not as significant in determining social status in these societies.

Question 14

Which of the following systems for redressing disputes often involves a "civil service" to handle judicial and administrative tasks?

Accepted Answer

Paramount chieftainships often have a more formalized structure, including a civil service to handle judicial and administrative tasks, unlike the more informal systems of elders' councils or kin-based systems.

Question 15

According to Max Weber,which of the following best describes the state as an institution?

Accepted Answer

According to Max Weber, the state is defined by its monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory. This means that the state alone has the right to exercise force in order to uphold its laws and maintain order. This definition emphasizes the state's authority over its citizens and distinguishes it from other institutions, such as the economy or civil society. The other choices do not accurately reflect Weber's definition of the state.

Question 16

What does the term "mode of production" refer to?

Accepted Answer

The term "mode of production" refers to the dominant form of social and technical organization of economic production in a society, which includes the way resources are extracted and utilized, the relationships between producers and consumers, and the social structures that govern production. It is a key concept in Marxist theory and is seen as a crucial determinant of social and economic relations in a given society. Options A, B, and D do not accurately describe the concept of mode of production.

Question 17

What does civil law refer to?

Accepted Answer

Civil law refers to the law that governs disputes between individuals or between individuals and organizations, as opposed to criminal law which deals with crimes against society as a whole.

Question 18

During a dispute settlement on an Ojibway reserve observed by Rupert Ross (1989),on which of the following did counselling Elders tend to focus on?

Accepted Answer

Counselling Elders tend to focus on the cleansing of the spirit for the future, which involves acknowledging responsibility, expressing remorse, seeking forgiveness, and making amends in order to restore harmony within the community. The emphasis is on healing and reconciliation rather than punishment and blame.

Question 19

"A state of social bonding or interdependency that rests on similarity of beliefs and values,shared activities,and ties of kinship and cooperation among members of a community." Which of the following concepts does this definition apply to?

Accepted Answer

The definition describes collective solidarity, as it emphasizes the importance of shared beliefs, values, and activities in creating interdependent relationships and cooperation within a community. Mutual dependence refers to a situation where individuals or groups rely on each other for resources or support, while mode of production refers to the way goods and services are produced and distributed in a society. Role diffusion is a concept in social psychology referring to the way that group membership and social roles can influence individual behavior and attitudes.

Question 20

Which of the following is true of chiefs who resolve disputes in chieftainship systems?

Accepted Answer

Chiefs who resolve disputes in chieftainship systems are expected to display oratorical skills, wisdom, and knowledge of customs. This is because their role involves mediating disputes and making decisions that affect the community. Additionally, chiefs are often seen as custodians of cultural traditions and values, so familiarity with these is critical to their effectiveness in resolving disputes. Option A is incorrect because popularity or the number of kin does not necessarily determine the ability of the chief to carry out their duties. Option B is also incorrect because chiefs are typically not replaced frequently by the community but rather hold their positions for an extended period. Option C is inaccurate because women chiefs are relatively uncommon in most chieftainship systems.

Quiz 2: The Social Context of Dispute Settlement and the Rise of Law