(Lec. 11) Mating Systems and Marriage

These flashcards cover key concepts discussed in the lecture on mating systems, marriage customs, and related anthropological findings.

What percentage of mammalian species exhibit polygynous mating systems?

90% - 95%

What is defined as a prolonged association and essentially exclusive mating relationship between one male and one female?

Monogamy

What are the essential functions performed by the nuclear family according to George Peter Murdock?

Stabilization of the sex drive, Reproduction, Socialization of the young, Economic production.

What is the naturalistic fallacy?

The mistaken belief that because something is 'natural,' it is inherently good, right, or morally justified.

In anthropological terms, what is the difference between polygyny and polyandry?

Polygyny is one husband with multiple wives, while polyandry is one wife with multiple husbands.

What economic transaction involves a payment made by a man or his family to a woman’s family?

Bridewealth or brideprice

What is the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample (SCCS)?

A database of 186 pre-industrial societies designed to maximize cultural diversity.

Why might brideprice be more common than dowry?

Brideprice often compensates the bride's family for the loss of her labor in agricultural and household economic roles.

What factors influence the price of brideprice in societies?

Reproductive value, economic expectations, and factors such as the woman's educational background.

According to Pew Research Center, what percentage of all marriages were polygynous in 2019?

About 2%.

What societal factors are associated with polygyny cross-culturally?

Cultural acceptance, commonality in sub-Saharan Africa, and occurrence within Muslim households.

What pattern is observed in hunter-gatherer societies regarding marriage?

More polygyny than in other societies, yet most marriages remain monogamous.