A typology of social structure and the patterning of social institutions: a cross-cultural study

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 67 • Published In 1965 • Pages: 1097-1119 •

By Spiro, Melford E.

Abstract

This article attempts to construct an empirically-based typology of social structure. Marital structure, government, food production, and stratification are among the factors considered.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
compendium of coded data

Hypotheses (4)
Hypothesis	Supported
"Monogamy occurs primarily in a kinship-domestic configuration characterized by bilateral [descent]-independent [family]-small [household]" (1112)	Supported
"Although food production as well as food gathering occur with minimum government, maximum government does not occur without food production" (1113)	Supported
"Although stratification as well as classlessness occur with minimum government, maximum government rarely occurs in the absence of social stratification" (1114)	Supported
"Although food production as well as food gathering occurs in classless societies, social stratification rarely occurs without food production" (1114)	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas Amelia Piazza