Typology and patterning: Spiro's sample re-examined

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 68 • Published In • Pages: 1456-1470 •
By Chaney, Richard P.

Abstract

This article suggests that Spiro's (1965) study on typology of social structure used a biased cross-cultural sample and possibly obscured regional patterns in data. Hypotheses related to marital structure, descent rules, food production and social stratification are tested.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
compendium of coded data

Hypotheses (4)

HypothesisSupported
Spiro stated that food production and social stratification jointly comprise a necessary condition for maximum government. Although there is a significant relationship between the three variables (economics, government and stratification), no statement about necessary conditions can be made (1465, 1466)Supported
"No prediction can be made about the presence or absence of exclusive monogamy from the . . . information [bilateral descent-independent family-small household]" (1461)Supported
"Food production and social stratification do not, jointly, constitute a sufficient condition for the existence of monogamy" (1463)Supported
"There is a significant relationship between [the variables food production and social stratification and between food gathering and classlessness] but no statement about necessary conditions can be made" (1465)Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: mas  Amelia Piazza