Cultural, Social, and Political Institutions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to cultural, social, and political institutions.

Kinship by Blood

Applies to people who enter marriage and can be traced to their ancestry.

Unilineal

Descent through either the maternal or paternal line only.

Matrilineal

Descent through the female line.

Patrilineal

Descent through the male line.

Bilateral

Descent through both the mother and father.

Monogamy

Being married to one spouse.

Polygamy

The practice of having more than one spouse.

One-person household

An arrangement in which one person makes provision for his/her own essentials.

Multi-person household

A group of two or more persons living together who make common provision for essentials.

Family

Members of the household related through blood, adoption, or marriage, consisting of at least two members.

Household

May consist of one or more persons, related or unrelated, and can comprise multiple families.

Bands

Political organization found in foraging societies, with low population densities and egalitarian relations.

Tribes

Political organization among horticulturists and pastoralists, characterized by larger populations and egalitarian nature.

Chiefdoms

Involve a formal political structure with authority resting with individuals, reliant on feasting and tribute.