Final answer:
Clans or surname associations have organizational and functional roles in Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese cultures. They help individuals with the same surname connect and trace their ancestry while promoting social cohesion.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese cultures, clans or surname associations have important organizational and functional roles. These associations help individuals with the same surname connect and trace their ancestry. They often maintain genealogical records and promote social cohesion among members. For example, in Silla Aristocratic Clans in Korea, clans took surnames and had different ranks based on their lineage. In China, super-elite clans developed in certain places and were labeled with surnames and the names of their home base.