ABSTRACT
Population size is determined by the combination of births, deaths, and migration. Therefore, socioculturai variables which affect population size must operate on one of these processes. Most sociocultural factors affecting population growth are classifiable according to whether they limit opportunity for sexual intercourse, decrease chances of conception, interrupt pregnancy, or increase infant or general mortality. Interruption of pregnancy, the only topic is abortion. Anthropologists have not always collected the most complete evidence in areas touching on reproduction, especially illicit behaviors, possibly for the reason that most field workers have been male. Population growth may be limited by sociocultural features which affect probabilities of infant, female, and general mortality. Customs or technology which decrease the probability of conception is the second group of factors which may limit population growth. Modern medical technology provides the greatest number of examples, and for the western world at least, has made it possible to virtually separate sex and fertility.
