Question 1

Ethnocentrism

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism can range from subtle biases or preferences for one's own culture to extreme forms such as xenophobia and discrimination.

Question 2

Which quotation is most clearly an example of extreme ethnocentrism?

Accepted Answer

Choice B is an extreme example of ethnocentrism because it suggests that only one particular group of people (White people) has contributed to civilization and diminishes the contributions and accomplishments of other cultures and ethnic groups.

Question 3

Cultural relativism is the idea that

Accepted Answer

Cultural relativism is the idea that a phenomenon should be understood and judged only in relation its cultural context. This means that different cultures have different beliefs and values, and therefore what may be considered right or wrong in one culture may not be the same in another culture. It is important to understand and respect cultural differences in order to avoid ethnocentrism, which is the tendency to view other cultures through the lens of one's own culture.

Question 4

The difference between subcultures and countercultures is that

Accepted Answer

Subcultures share some elements with the dominant culture and exist within it, but they have their own distinctive values, beliefs, and practices. Countercultures, on the other hand, reject and defy the dominant culture, and seek to create alternative norms, values, and practices. While countercultures may also arise in response to the dominant culture, they typically seek to create a fundamentally different social order, rather than simply modify certain aspects of it.

Question 5

Subcultures are defined as groups whose values and norms of behavior

Accepted Answer

Subcultures differ to some degree from those of the dominant culture, but do not necessarily stand in opposition to them or strictly adhere to them. Subcultures may have their own unique values, beliefs, and behaviors that are shared among members of the group, but they still exist within the larger societal context of the dominant culture.

Question 6

Members of a subculture

Accepted Answer

Members of a subculture exist within and share some elements of the dominant culture but also have their own distinct practices, values, and beliefs that differentiate them from the dominant culture. However, they are not completely separate from or disconnected from the dominant culture.

Question 7

The average person spends about _____ hours per day on some form of media (smartphone, tablet, television, radio, and other devices) .

Accepted Answer

The average person spends about 11 hours per day on various forms of media, including smartphones, tablets, television, radio, and other devices. This reflects the significant role that digital and media consumption plays in modern daily life.

Question 8

Although earlier immigrants to the United States were predominantly from Europe, today most new immigrants come to the United States from

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2018, the majority of new immigrants to the United States come from Asia and Latin America. In recent years, the number of immigrants from these regions has surpassed the number from Europe.

Question 9

Mass median refers to channels of communication that

Accepted Answer

Mass media refers to channels of communication that reach a large audience, making them available to wide segments of the population. The term "median" in this context refers to the middle point between the source (sender) and the audience (receiver). Therefore, the mass median represents communication channels that are broadly accessible and influential.

Question 10

Norms, values, laws, and customs are all examples of _____ culture.

Accepted Answer

Norms, values, laws, and customs are all examples of nonmaterial culture, which refers to the intangible elements of a culture such as beliefs, values, norms, and customs. In contrast, material culture refers to the tangible physical objects and artifacts created by a culture. "High" and "nontraditional" are not appropriate descriptors for these examples of culture.

Question 11

The concept of cultural hegemony implies that culture is highly _____ since those in control of cultural institutions can control people's awareness by creating cultural beliefs that make the rule of those in power seem inevitable and right.

Accepted Answer

Cultural hegemony is a concept developed by Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, and it refers to the dominance of a particular group over another through cultural means. This involves the use of cultural institutions such as media, education, religion, and art to create a worldview that supports the interests of the ruling class. As a result, culture is highly politicized as it is used to legitimize the existing power structures and maintain the status quo.

Question 12

Some argue that many of the recent conflicts in the world are the result of a struggle between the values of a consumer-based, capitalist Western culture and the

Accepted Answer

The struggle between Western capitalist values and the traditional values of local communities has been a driving force behind many conflicts, particularly those related to resource extraction and development projects. Local communities may resist or oppose these projects because they threaten their traditional way of life or their access to natural resources. This can lead to conflict with governments or corporations that prioritize economic growth and profit over community interests.

Question 13

Television is so ever-present in people's lives that today about _____ of U.S. households are "constant television households" in which the television is on almost all the time.

Accepted Answer

According to a 2018 survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 42 percent of U.S. households are "constant television households" in which the television is on almost all the time.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is false regarding ethnocentrism?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is not limited to any specific culture or nationality; it is a common human tendency to view one's own culture as superior to others. Therefore, statement B is false.

Question 15

The text describes an experiment in which students did without media, including cell phones, television, and other devices. Students reported they felt

Accepted Answer

The text states that students reported feeling "alienated, isolated, and detached" without media.

Question 16

The diffusion of a single culture throughout the world is termed

Accepted Answer

The term for the diffusion of a single culture throughout the world is "global culture." This refers to the spread and integration of dominant cultural values, beliefs, practices, and products across national boundaries, facilitated by globalization, mass media, and consumerism. Cultural commerce and infusion are related concepts that highlight the exchange and fusion of cultural elements between societies. Cultural relativism, on the other hand, is a philosophical and anthropological approach that recognizes and respects the diversity and uniqueness of different cultures and rejects ethnocentrism and universalism.

Question 17

From the perspective of cultural relativism, in order to understand a particular cultural practice, we must know

Accepted Answer

Cultural relativism emphasizes that different cultures have different values and beliefs that inform their practices. To understand a particular cultural practice, it's necessary to understand the values and beliefs that underlie it, even if one doesn't agree with them personally or morally. Options A, B, and D are not relevant to understanding a cultural practice from a cultural relativist standpoint.

Question 18

Which of the following was organized by a counterculture in support of its values?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following was organized by...

Question 19

The discussion of birthday traditions demonstrates that

Accepted Answer

The discussion highlights how birthday traditions apparently common in the U.S., such as blowing out candles and birthday cake, actually stem from cultural practices in ancient Greece and Germany. This suggests that even seemingly "normal" practices have cultural roots.

Question 20

In every society, the dominant culture is

Accepted Answer

The dominant culture is the culture of the most powerful group in society. This group may be a majority or a minority that has significant power and influence over the rest of society. The dominant culture sets the norms, values, and beliefs that are accepted and expected in society, and other cultures may be marginalized or assimilated into the dominant culture to varying degrees.

Quiz 2: Culture