Settlements are compact, e.g., nucleated villages or concentrated camps
Settlements are dispersed, e.g., neighborhoods of isolated homesteads or bands whose members live in dispersed family camps
Settlements are composed of spatially separate hamlets or subsettlements
Settlements are partially dispersed, e.g., a central village or town core with outlying satellite hamlets or family homesteads
Settlements are straggling, e.g. dwellings or homesteads strung out along a river bank, the seashore, or the like, in a rather continuous distribution. Such settlements merge into one another, but are considered distinct settlements by the occupants, nevertheless.

The largest settlement is primarily a ceremonial or religious center for the focal area (which is perhaps a larger and more densely populated region)
Within the culture being examined (focal area), the society is mostly rural; the largest communities have none of the characteristics of administrative, ceremonial, or mercantile centers

The most impressive structure (or type of structure) in the community is the residence of a category of influential persons, e.g., a mansion, palace, or large structure occupied by the local headman, a noble or a wealthy landowner
The most impressive structure (or type of structure) is an assembly hall, a men's house, or other essentially secular or public building
The most impressive structure (or type of structure) is a temple, church, or other essentially religious or ceremonial edifice
There are no structures in the community that are larger or more impressive than the usual residential dwellings

The community is divided into local moieties, i.e., into two contrasting or opposing subdivisions, or into two subdivisions that lack the characteristics of moieties
The community is divided into three or more local subdivisions (wards, barrios, residential districts, or other)
There are no local subdivisions of the typical or focal community other than family households

Residence in particular local segments is determined approximately equally by two or more types of consideration, among which kinship ties are relatively important
Residence in particular local segments is determined primarily by ethnic considerations, e.g., race, tribal membership, or national origins
Residence in particular segments of the community is determined primarily by kinship ties, as in the case of localized clans or ramages
Residence in particular segments of the community is determined primarily by voluntary choice