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What does Chagnon consider the most startling difference between highland and lowland Yanomamo groups?

User Rosalynn
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Final answer:

Chagnon noted significant emotional or behavioral differences between highland and lowland Yanomamo groups due to their geographical location and varying exposure to agricultural societies and other cultural influences.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most startling difference that Chagnon observed between the highland and lowland Yanomamo groups revolves around their emotional or behavioral patterns. The social structures and day-to-day life of Yanomamo groups can differ significantly based on their geographical location and exposure to other cultural influences, including interactions with agricultural societies. For instance, among highland groups living closer to the Andean foothills and far removed from the influences of the outside world, one would expect practices and behaviors that are reflective of their isolation and adherence to traditional lifeways. For lowland groups that may have had more contact with agricultural communities, experiences would have integrated the influences of those interactions, potentially altering traditional practices and social norms. This type of behavioral difference is similar to those observed in other anthropological studies, such as those conducted by Margaret Mead among different groups in Papua New Guinea or by researchers studying the Hadza in Tanzania.

User Gary Chang
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