Hunters and Gatherers: Population Control Mechanisms (3/11)

These flashcards cover key concepts discussed in the lecture about the population control mechanisms among hunting and gathering societies.

Supposition

An uncertain belief or opinion that shapes early scientific views.

Exogamy

The social arrangement where marriage occurs outside a defined group.

Endogamy

The social arrangement where marriage occurs within a defined group.

Infant Mortality Rate

The frequency of deaths during the first year of life in a population.

Menarche

The onset of menstruation in females, marking the beginning of reproductive capability.

Amenorrhea

The absence of menstruation, often related to nursing or low body fat levels.

Interbirth Interval (IBI)

The period between successive viable births in a population.

Chronic Dysentery

A prolonged intestinal infection causing severe diarrhea, often due to contaminated food or water.

Affluent Society

A term used to describe hunter-gatherer societies that meet their needs with minimal work and high leisure time.

Postpartum Taboo

Cultural prohibitions against sexual intercourse after childbirth for a designated period.

Inbreeding

Mating between closely related individuals, often leading to reduced biological fitness.

Savages

A derogatory term used historically to describe hunter-gatherer societies, implying brutality and lack of civilization.

Nerve Activation

The stimulation of nerve pathways leading to hormonal changes affecting reproductive functions.

What is one early explanation for how hunters and gatherers maintained small group sizes?

Violence was believed to keep the population down.

What label was often applied to hunting and gathering societies due to perceptions of violence?

Savages.

What was Robert Lowy's belief about the population size of hunters and gatherers?

He believed that the constant oscillation of the environment caused periods of famine and starvation.

According to anthropologists, what was found regarding violence between bands of hunters and gatherers?

Bands rarely fought when they encountered each other; they were more likely to seek interband marriages.

What is the term used for marrying outside of one's social group?

Exogamy.

What is the opposite of exogamy?

Endogamy.

What high infant mortality rate is associated with hunting and gathering societies?

Typically around 20% in the first year.

What are two causes of high infant mortality rates in hunters and gatherers?

Infection (such as staph infection) and chronic dysentery.

What is the term used for the average time interval between live births in hunter-gatherer societies?

Interbirth interval (IBI).

How long is the average interbirth interval reported for hunting and gathering women?

Approximately four years.

What did Marshall Sahlins refer to hunting and gathering societies as?

The original affluent society.

What is amenorrhea and how is it related to fertility in hunting and gathering societies?

Amenorrhea is the temporary cessation of menstruation; it occurs due to high levels of physical activity and low body fat, which suppresses ovulation.

What is the significance of frequent suckling in relation to reproductive health for mothers?

Frequent suckling suppresses ovulation and prevents pregnancies shortly after childbirth.

What is the role of postpartum sexual taboos in controlling birth spacing?

These taboos restrict sexual intercourse for about a year after childbirth, which helps space births.

How does the diet of hunter-gatherers affect their body composition?

It tends to result in low body fat percentages due to a lean diet combined with high exercise levels.

What is one main reason mothers in hunter-gatherer societies delay having another child?

To ensure that they can provide adequate care for their existing child.

What hormonal mechanism links breastfeeding to the suppression of ovulation?

The frequent suckling produces nerve activation that along the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis secretes prolactin, suppressing ovulation.