Final answer:
Disputes and crimes in small scale societies were traditionally settled through methods such as negotiation, mediation, and compensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In small scale societies, disputes and crimes were usually settled through various traditional methods such as negotiation, mediation, and compensation.
For example, the Ju/'hoansi of South Africa held a ritual dance to seek advice from their elders on how to resolve difficult situations. They would come together as a community, and this act alone often helped in healing the community.
In the case of the Nuer tribe, conflicts were settled through fighting between the involved parties. However, when someone was killed, a special mediator called a leopard-skin chief was sought to negotiate a settlement between the perpetrator and the victim's family, with compensation often in the form of cattle.
Overall, disputes and crimes within the community were addressed based on the specific customs, traditions, and social structures of each small-scale society.