Most nineteenth century and some twentieth century approaches aimed to provide models for the evolution of humankind as a whole, argue that different societies are at different stages of social development. Gerhard Lenski “uses the term sociocultural evolution to mean changes that occur as a society gains new technology” (Macionis, J., 90). They are the hunting and gathering societies, the horticultural and pastoral societies, the agrarian societies, the industrial societies, and the post-industrial societies. By showing how social arrangements are related to the environmental and technological context societies are situated in, it encourages students to look for the reasons why social arrangements are the way they are, and why they change over time.
Compared to the post-industrial society, an individual in the hunting and gathering society consumes a great deal of time, energy, and thought, collecting and hunting for food. Most of these societies today generally live in marginal areas where resources are scarce, so life for the hunter and gatherer seems more oriented toward mere survival. In the post-industrial society, food is easily available, allowing more time to focus on other interests. Life expectancy is also very low compared to the post-industrial society. Technology is minimal in the hunting and gathering society, which again relates back to the need for expending time and energy finding food.
As with the hunting and gathering societies, the horticultural and pastoral societies do not afford as much time for leisure as does the post-industrial society. Production of food in the horticulturist society and care of animals in the pastoral society still consumes a large portion of time for most of its members. The horticulturist is at the mercy of the elements since a bad season or natural phenomena such as a flood can deplete food resources and drastically effect the survival of its members. Pastoral societies are als...