(Lec. 16) Human Behavioral Ecology Lecture 16

Flashcards summarizing key concepts from Lecture 16 on Human Behavioral Ecology, focusing on resource distribution, foraging strategies, territorial behavior, and socio-spatial organization.

What is the key relationship between resource distribution and foraging strategy according to the economic defendability model?

Resource predictability and density influence foraging strategies such as nomadism, territoriality, and home ranges.

What is the primary focus of Dyson-Hudson and Smith's definition of territoriality?

Territoriality is defined as an area occupied exclusively by a group, defended through overt actions or communication.

How does the residential mobility of hunter-gatherers compare to non-human primates?

Hunter-gatherers typically use much more land and change residential locations 3-20 times per year.

What demographic factors influence intergroup interactions in hunter-gatherer societies?

Ritual relationships and affinal kinships increase interaction rates more than genetic kinship.

How does the dependence on hunting influence the territory size of hunter-gatherers?

As dependence on hunting increases, they tend to have larger territories.

In what ways do human territoriality and kinship differ from chimpanzee communities?

Humans move freely among bands while chimpanzees are typically xenophobic and hostile towards neighboring communities.

What is a foundational characteristic of human socio-spatial organization in the context of cultural evolution?

Socio-spatial organization supports cultural evolution by promoting interaction and information exchange between groups.

What notable pattern is observed in the daily movements of Hadza men and women?

Hadza men generally range further and explore more land compared to women.

What types of licenses were essential for conducting research among hunter-gatherers?

Research needed approval from institutional review boards and general consent from communities.

What does the model suggest about resource predictability and economic defendability?

Predictable resources are more economically defendable than unpredictable resources.

What three factors are central to the economic defendability model when assessing resource distribution?

Resource value, its spatiotemporal distribution, and the costs associated with its defense.

How does a "home range" differ from a "territory" in the context of animal behavior?

A home range is the area an animal regularly uses, but it is not necessarily defended exclusively, unlike a territory.

Under what conditions might a nomadic foraging strategy be most advantageous for hunter-gatherers?

When resources are widely dispersed, unpredictable, or too scarce to defend economically.

What are some typical costs associated with maintaining and defending a territory?

Energetic expenditure, time investment, and potential risks of injury or conflict with competitors.

What is a key benefit derived from successfully defending a territory?

Exclusive or prioritized access to critical resources within that area, reducing competition.

Describe the typical residential group structure of hunter-gatherer societies.

They often exhibit a fluid "fission-fusion" social structure, with groups forming and dispersing frequently.

How does information exchange between hunter-gatherer groups contribute to their resilience and adaptation?

It facilitates the sharing of knowledge about resources, environmental conditions, and social learning, aiding survival.

What types of environmental conditions commonly lead to increased sedentism among hunter-gatherers?

The presence of abundant, localized, and highly predictable resources that reduce the need for constant movement.

Provide examples of "predictable" versus "unpredictable" resources for hunter-gatherers.

Predictable resources might include seasonal fruit harvests or reliable water sources, while unpredictable resources could be large mobile game animals.

What is the primary reason Hadza men generally range further than women in their daily movements?

Their foraging strategy often involves hunting large game, which requires wider ranging and exploration of larger areas to locate prey.

Beyond direct conflict, what other methods do human groups employ to signal territorial boundaries or ownership?

Visual markers, scent marking, vocalizations, or established traditional use rights communicated culturally.

How do affinal kinships (relationships by marriage) strengthen intergroup cooperation in hunter-gatherer societies?

They create broader networks of trust, reciprocity, and mutual obligation across different residential bands, fostering alliances.