Symbols and Practices: Cultural, Social, Political and Economic Significance

25 fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering the hunting & gathering, pastoral, horticultural, and agricultural stages of socio-cultural and economic development.

Gerhard Lenski states that technological progress is the most basic factor in the __ of societies and cultures.

evolution

Transfer of information in early human development occurs through __, symbols, or language.

signs

Socio-cultural change often involves a shift from __ to urban areas.

rural

In hunting and gathering societies, the primary institution responsible for sharing food and socializing children is the __.

family

Typical population size in a hunting-gathering band is fewer than __ individuals.

50

Labor division in hunting-gathering societies is based on __, with men hunting and women gathering.

sex

The term "pastoral" comes from the Latin word for __.

shepherd

In pastoral societies, wealth is commonly measured by __ size.

herd

Pastoral land is generally regarded as __ property.

communal

Horticulturalists cultivate staple crops such as __ and rice.

wheat

The agricultural technique of clearing fields by cutting and burning vegetation is called slash-and-__.

burn

A key hand tool used by horticulturalists to work the soil is the __.

hoe

Horticulturalists usually establish __ settlements rather than moving constantly.

permanent

The agricultural stage began roughly __ years ago during the Neolithic Period.

5,000

In agricultural economies, money replaces the __ system of trade.

barter

Agricultural development led to the emergence of distinct __ classes.

social

The introduction of irrigation combined with the use of the __ greatly increased agricultural production.

plough

Surpluses from farming caused small villages to grow into towns and __.

cities

Farmers learned to rotate different __ in a field to maintain soil fertility.

crops

The unequal distribution of land and wealth in agricultural societies gave rise to the __ system.

feudal

Throughout human development, effective __ is considered vital.

communication

Pastoralists regularly move their animals to fresh __ for grazing.

grasslands

Because they follow food sources, hunting-gathering groups are typically __.

nomadic

In slash-and-burn horticulture, land is cultivated for two to __ years before moving on.

three

Pastoralists often herd animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, or __.

horses