Bilateral descent is a system where kinship is traced through both the mother's and father's lines. It is the most common form of descent in modern industrial societies, where it facilitates the transmission of property and social status from both parents to their children, ensuring broader familial support networks.
2812
How is the sociological concept of 'bilateral descent' defined in the study of kinship systems?
Bilateral descent is a kinship system in which individuals trace their lineage and inheritance through both the mother's and father's sides of the family equally. This contrasts with unilineal descent systems, which focus on only one parent's line. By recognizing both sides, bilateral descent structures the social and legal obligations of family members, influencing how property, status, and identity are passed down through generations.
2813
What is the term for a large kinship group whose members reside in a specific area and share a belief in a common ancestor?
A kin group is a broad category of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption. While the definition provided in the question specifically describes a kin group, it is worth noting that in anthropological terms, this could also overlap with the definition of a clan or tribe depending on the specific cultural context and lineage structure.
2814
How did British colonial administration impact the traditional autonomy of Baradaris?
The British colonial administration sought to centralize power by imposing formal legal and administrative institutions. This process often undermined the traditional, informal autonomy of kinship-based groups like Baradaris, forcing them to adapt to new corporate and bureaucratic structures imposed by the state.
2815
Which term describes a cultural practice where specific kin are required to maintain a respectful distance from one another?
Avoidance is a social custom in many cultures where certain relatives are expected to maintain physical or social distance to show respect or prevent conflict. This practice is common in various kinship systems, such as the relationship between a mother-in-law and son-in-law, serving to regulate social interactions and maintain harmony within the extended family structure.
2816
How did British colonial rule impact the autonomy of traditional Baradaris?
British colonial administration sought to centralize power and standardize governance. By imposing formal legal and administrative institutions, the colonial state curtailed the traditional, informal autonomy of kinship-based groups like Baradaris, integrating them into new corporate and bureaucratic structures to facilitate colonial control and revenue collection.
2817
What is the term for a large group of relatives who share a common ancestor and reside within a specific geographical area?
A kin group consists of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption who share a common ancestry. In many societies, these groups function as a primary unit of social organization, providing support, identity, and a framework for social interaction. While clans and tribes are specific types of kinship structures, 'kin group' is the broader term used to describe the collective of relatives living together and sharing ancestral ties.
2818
Which kinship system traces descent through only one parent's side?
Ambilineal descent is a system where individuals can choose to affiliate with either their mother's or father's kin group. While matrilineal and patrilineal systems are strictly one-sided, ambilineal descent allows for flexibility in tracing lineage, though the term is sometimes debated in anthropological contexts regarding its specific application.
2819
What term describes the phenomenon where an organization loses sight of its original purpose due to an excessive focus on survival?
Goal displacement occurs when an organization's rules, procedures, or survival mechanisms become more important than the original goals the organization was created to achieve. This is a common critique of rigid bureaucratic structures within large organizations.
2820
Which sociologist is primarily credited with developing the formal theoretical model of bureaucracy?
Max Weber provided the foundational analysis of bureaucracy in his work on rational-legal authority. He defined it as an ideal type characterized by hierarchy, written rules, impersonality, and specialized division of labor, which he viewed as the most efficient form of organization for modern industrial societies.