Impact of small-group decision making in reducing stress conditions

Employing a theoretical framework based on the prehistoric American Southwe st, the impact on survival probability of a small group from environmental stress and household configuration is evaluated using stochastic simulation techniques. Several models were developed based upon a schema which includ es population demographics, food procurement strategies, and resource respo nse to varying environmental conditions. We address (1) strategic exploitat ion of the total range of food resources (wild and cultigens), (2) ameliora tion of alternative buffering strategies, and (3) impact of household size and composition. These are examined within the context of the cumulative im pact of recurrent multiyear stress. The postulated buffering strategies whi ch demonstrated higher probability of success are in agreement with ethnogr aphic descriptions. It is shown that under proper planning assumptions, the impact of ephemeral aberrations in precipitation and household composition should have a minimum influence upon abandonment of small sites. (C) 2000 Academic Press.