Final answer:
Immediate return hunter-gatherers do not solely rely on specific others within their own band due to their shared resources and egalitarian values. They do, however, rely on relationships with neighboring groups for access to resources during times of scarcity. Decisions such as moving camp are made collectively, influenced by the women's assessment of resource availability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Do immediate return hunter-gatherers rely on specific others? The notion of reliance in hunter-gatherer societies is multifaceted. In these societies, mobility is a key characteristic; they follow seasonal cycles and meet up with other groups at specific locations such as water sources and ripe vegetation patches. This mobility does not typically translate to reliance on specific others within a single band for sustenance, as food is shared among all members.
However, in times of resource scarcity, bands do rely on cross-band relationships for permission to use neighboring territories, showing a level of reliance on specific others outside of their immediate groups. These relationships are built through seasonal meetings, friendships, and marriages. This is where cross-band generosity and egalitarianism play significant roles. Sharing and cooperation are crucial values, and bands often exchange resources based on need rather than commerce.
Furthermore, the decision-making in these societies often reflects a communal consensus. For example, the Hadza, as studied by Frank Marlowe, move camp not at the behest of a specific individual but after a collective agreement, particularly when the women, who are the primary gatherers, decide resources are depleted. Thus, decisions are made as a group rather than relying on specific individuals.