This paper tests the proximity hypothesis, which asserts that residential
propinquity influences the possession by a society of certain kin avoidance
and kin terminological practices. The hypothesis is shown to be invalid, and
the results for classical theories of kinship organization are sketched. Briefly
these are that Murdock's theoretical claims in Social Structure (1949) are
called into question, as is "Main Sequence" kinship theory, which postu
lates that residence, descent, and kinship terminology form a typical devel
opmental sequence.
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