Final answer:
In the Stone Ages, forming small groups was beneficial for survival due to easier resource management, efficient division of labor, and the promotion of egalitarianism. Cooperation was essential, and smaller groups had an advantage in being flexible, resilient, and innovative, leading to better survival strategies.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Stone Ages, forming small groups had several positive reasons that were key to survival. Cooperation was crucial in the challenging environments of the Paleolithic Age. Small groups could more easily manage resources, as larger groups found it hard to feed everyone. As hunter-gatherers, they were reliant on natural resources, and overextension could lead to disaster. Additionally, egalitarianism often emerged in these early human societies, where resources and responsibilities were shared among the group members, leading to greater efficiency and unity.
Egalitarian social strategies and shared knowledge also played a significant role in improving the survival chances of these groups. The division of labor based on gender, where women typically gathered and men hunted, optimized their efforts for obtaining food. Furthermore, human innovation thrived in smaller communities where sharing and cooperation were valued, leading to the creation of sophisticated tools and strategies.
Ultimately, small groups were better suited to the nomadic lifestyle of the Paleolithic Age. They were able to move as needed following the availability of resources and avoid conflicts that could arise in larger, more permanent settlements. The cultural values of these small groups emphasized sharing, group decision-making, and a flexible division of labor, all of which contributed to their resilience and adaptability.