Question 1

A people's collection of gods and goddesses is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

A pantheon refers to a group of gods and goddesses worshipped by a particular group of people. The term comes from the Greek word "pantheion," meaning "a temple of all gods." Therefore, option C is the most appropriate choice.

Question 2

A holistic spiritual worldview that is found in egalitarian societies and which permeates all daily activities is called:

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

A culturally prescribed avoidance is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A culturally prescribed avoidance is commonly known as a taboo. It is a social or religious custom that forbids or restricts specific actions, behaviors, or words. It may be associated with supernatural beliefs, traditional practices, or moral values. Taboos are often enforced through social pressure, sanctions, or punishment to ensure conformity and maintain order within a community.

Question 4

Ju/'hoansi healers possess the powerful healing force called n/um,which generally remains dormant in a healer until an effort is made to activate.Among the ways to activate n/um are all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

The use of hallucinogens is not a commonly used method for activating n/um among Ju/'hoansi healers. The other options listed are all traditional methods of activating n/um.

Question 5

Chan monastics discussed in this chapter's Biocultural Connection are in the country of:

Accepted Answer

Chan Buddhism, which is closely related to Zen Buddhism in Japan, has a significant presence in Taiwan. The monastics discussed in the context of Chan Buddhism would therefore be associated with Taiwan.

Question 6

The Shamanic Complex is:

Accepted Answer

The Shamanic Complex refers to the interrelationship and interconnectedness of the shaman, patient, and community in the healing process. It involves the shaman's role in guiding the patient to connect with the spirit world, but also acknowledges the significance of community support and participation in the healing journey.

Question 7

A sacred narrative that explains the fundamentals of human existence is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

A myth is specifically a sacred narrative that explains the fundamentals of human existence, including the origins of the world and humanity, significant events that shape society and culture, and key aspects of human nature and behavior. Legends, parables, religious texts, and rituals may contain mythological elements, but they are not defined by their function as explanatory narratives.

Question 8

All of the following constitute a definition of religion except:

Accepted Answer

The answer of All of the following constitute a definition...

Question 9

Which of the following is not a change that affects women who become a Chan monastic?

Accepted Answer

Becoming a Chan monastic involves renouncing attachment to family, among other worldly things. Therefore, becoming more devoted to one's family would be contradictory to the lifestyle of a Chan monastic.

Question 10

If religious belief reflects the structure of society,in which types of society would you expect to find widespread belief in ancestral spirits?

Accepted Answer

Ancestral spirits are believed to be the spirits of deceased ancestors who continue to play a role in the lives of their living descendants. In societies where descent groups play a major role in social organization, such as those with matrilineal or patrilineal descent systems, ancestral spirits are often an important part of religious belief and practice. The belief in ancestral spirits serves to link the living members of a descent group with their ancestors and reinforces the importance of maintaining the social ties within the group.

Question 11

A full-time religious specialist formally recognized for his or her role in guiding the religious practices of others is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

A priest or priestess is a full-time religious specialist who is formally recognized for guiding the religious practices of others. Shamans may also guide religious practices, but they are not necessarily full-time specialists, and they may not hold formal recognition from their community. Pastors and preachers are more specific titles used in certain religious traditions, and spiritual guide is a more general term that can refer to a variety of roles.

Question 12

Belief in__________________is found in societies in which women make a major contribution to the economy and are relatively equal to men in power and authority.

Accepted Answer

Belief in goddesses is often found in matrilineal societies where women have significant economic and political power. In these societies, the female deities often represent fertility, family, and agriculture, reflecting women's central roles in these areas. Mana, gods, fetishes, and ancestral spirits are not inherently linked to female empowerment and may be found in a variety of societal structures.

Question 13

The major difference between animism and animatism has to do with whether the supernatural force that occupies an entity is:

Accepted Answer

The major difference between animism and animatism is that animism involves the belief in personal supernatural forces or spirits that occupy entities, while animatism involves the belief in impersonal and indistinct supernatural forces or energies that exist in the world. Therefore, choice A is correct. The other options listed do not accurately represent the difference between animism and animatism.

Question 14

The widespread occurrence of shamanism and the remarkable similarities between shamanistic traditions wherever found are consequences of:

Accepted Answer

The remarkable similarities between shamanistic traditions suggest that they are not simply a product of culture or diffusion, but rather a result of universal neurological inheritance. This has been hypothesized by researchers such as Terence McKenna and Jeremy Narby, who argue that shamanism and spiritual experiences are rooted in the structure and function of the human brain.

Question 15

Which of the following is least likely to be extensively involved in formal religious beliefs and activities?

Accepted Answer

Wealthy members of urban-industrial societies with advanced scientific knowledge are less likely to be extensively involved in formal religious beliefs and activities due to the influence of modernization and the shift towards secularism. They may also have access to alternative sources of meaning and fulfillment such as material wealth, education, and technology.

Question 16

Religion serves various functions in society,including each of the following except:

Accepted Answer

Option B is repeated twice in the question. The correct answer is that religion serves all of the listed functions, including uniting people worldwide in a belief system, providing moral guidelines for personal conduct, providing an orderly view of the universe, and reinforcing community values.

Question 17

From his work with Conibo shamans,Michael Harner argues that:

Accepted Answer

Michael Harner argues that anthropologists have historically underestimated the importance of shamanism in Amazonian Indian cultures and practices, and that shamanistic experiences have a significant impact on the worldview and spirituality of those who practice it.

Question 18

Which of the following is not a major form of establishing spiritual lineage?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not a...

Question 19

Anthropology examines spirituality and religion in terms of the society's:

Accepted Answer

Anthropology often examines spirituality and religion in terms of a society's worldview, which encompasses the overall perspective from which a group sees and interprets the world, including their beliefs, values, and practices.

Question 20

If a society has a taboo against eating pork and a member eats it mistakenly,what types of rituals might the person undergo to fix the transgression?

Accepted Answer

Rites of purification are meant to remove impurities or sins committed by an individual. In this case, the person who ate pork would undergo a rite of purification to remove the impurity or sin of breaking the taboo against eating pork.

Quiz 23: Spirituality, Religion, and Shamanism

A people's collection of gods and goddesses is called a(n) :