Sociologists have classified the different types of societies into six categories, each of which possess their own unique characteristics: 1. Hunting and gathering societies 2. Pastoral societies 3. Horticultural societies 4. Agricultural societies 5. Industrial societies 6. Post-industrial societies

Hunting And Gathering Societies
Hunting and gathering societies are the earliest form of society. The members survive primarily by hunting, trapping, fishing, and gathering edible plants. A majority of the members' time is spent looking for and gathering food. A hunting and gathering society has five characteristics: 1. Family is the society's primary institution. Family determines the distribution of food and how to socialize children. 2. These societies are small compared to the others. They generally have less than 50 members. 3. Hunting and gathering societies are nomadic, which means that they move constantly in order to find food and water. 4. Members of hunting and gathering societies are mutually dependent upon each other. 5. Although there is equal division of labor among the members of hunting and gathering societies, there is division of labor based on sex. Men are responsible for hunting and women are gatherers.
Pastoral Societies
Pastoral societies began around 12,000 years ago. These societies rely on products obtained through the domestication and breeding of animals for transportation and food. Pastoral societies are common in areas where crops cannot be supported, (e.g., North Africa). Unlike hunting and gathering societies, pastoral societies only have to move when the land in which the animals graze is no longer usable. Pastoral societies also allow for job specialization, since not everyone is needed to gather or hunt for food. For example, while some people breed animals, others are able to produce tools or clothing, which allows for specialization in these areas.
Horticultural Societies
Horticultural societies emerged between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago in Latin America, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. These societies rely on the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and plants in order to survive. Horticultural societies are often forced to relocate when the resources of the land are depleted or when the water supplies decrease.

Agricultural Societies
Also referred to as agrarian societies, agricultural societies rely on the use of technology in order to cultivate crops in large areas, including wheat, rice, and corn. The technological advances led to an increase in food supplies, an increase in population, and the development of trade centers. This period of technological changes is referred to as the Agricultural Revolution and began around 8,500 years ago. The following table depicts the order in which agricultural societies developed.

Industrial Societies
Industrial societies were developed with the Industrial Revolution that started around 1769. The Industrial Revolution began with England's improvement and use of the steam engine as a way to power machines. Industrial societies rely on advanced energy sources in order to run machinery. Changes that occurred in industrialized societies include: * Innovations in transportation, including the creation of automobiles, the train, and steamship. * Newly developed transportations allowed people and goods to travel longer distances. * Since fewer people were needed to cultivate food, urban societies were developed. For the first time, more people lived in or near major cities than in farming areas. * Suburban communities were developed. * The development of mass forms of communication, increased job specialization, and the ability to harness electricity.

Post-Industrial Societies
Postindustrial societies have emerged in recent decades. Rather than focusing on production, these societies are economically focused on providing services and technology. The development and advancement of computer technology, television, and the creation of the radio are all associated with the development of post-industrial societies. The three characteristics associated with a post-industrial society are: 1. Focus on ideas instead of tangible goods as the driving force in economy. 2. Need for higher education due to the increased focus on information and technology. 3. Shift in workplace from cities to homes as technological advances have allowed work to be conducted in places other than offices.