The Most Common Explanation for the Pervasive Sharing So Common

question 80

Multiple Choice

The most common explanation for the pervasive sharing so common in hunter-gatherer societies is:

• A) it is a strategy of variance reduction under conditions in which there is a lot of resource fluctuation
• B) it is "human nature" - the earliest humans had not yet learned anything about selfishness and hoarding
• C) it has no known explanation - social scientists are still mystified by it

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Definitions:

Altruistic Personality

A collection of personality traits, such as empathy, that render some people more helpful than others.

Communal Orientation

The disposition towards valuing relationships and prioritizing communal well-being over individual gain.

Urban Overload Hypothesis

The idea that city dwellers avoid being overwhelmed by stimulation by narrowing their attention, making it more likely that they overlook legitimate situations where help is needed.

Urban Overload Hypothesis

The theory that people living in cities experience overload from the intense stimuli of urban environments, leading to withdrawal and reduced helping behaviors.