Question 1

According to this chapter, why have Iran and the United States had such a difficult time coming to mutually agreeable and beneficial foreign policy decisions?

Accepted Answer

Each country's inability to understand the world from the other's perspective significantly hampers their ability to reach mutually agreeable and beneficial foreign policy decisions. This lack of empathy or understanding contributes to the ongoing difficulties in negotiations and relations between Iran and the United States.

Question 2

According to anthropologists, culture is

Accepted Answer

Culture is considered to be shared among members of a society, adaptive to their environment and circumstances, and learned from one generation to the next, rather than being innate or biologically determined.

Question 3

According to the chapter, which of the following is/are symbolic actions that communicate our identity to others?

Accepted Answer

All of these actions—how close you stand to someone, what clothes you wear, and how you walk and sit down—are symbolic actions that communicate aspects of our identity to others. These behaviors can convey information about our social status, personal preferences, cultural background, and more, serving as non-verbal cues in social interactions.

Question 4

What word is defined by the mobilization of cultural symbols to create, sustain, or resist social inequities?

Accepted Answer

Ideology refers to a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. It involves the mobilization of cultural symbols to create, sustain, or resist social inequities, as ideologies can justify or challenge the status quo.

Question 5

The process by which you learned to speak, what to eat, or what to wear is called

Accepted Answer

Informal learning refers to the learning that occurs in a more casual or everyday context, outside of a structured educational setting. Learning language, cultural norms about eating, and dressing are all examples of informal learning, where individuals pick up knowledge and skills through observation, imitation, and interaction with others in their daily lives, rather than through formal instruction.

Question 6

The diffusion of ideas, technologies, and practices occurs through what types of contact?

Accepted Answer

Ideas, technologies, and practices can spread through various types of contact, including military conquest, trade, and exposure to mass media, making all of these correct options for diffusion.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT one of the three levels anthropologists use to describe and analyze the way a given culture operates?

Accepted Answer

Cultural diffusion refers to the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another. The three levels used by anthropologists to describe and analyze how a culture operates are cultural practices, cultural logics, and worldview, not cultural diffusion.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a part of the text's brief description of cultural practices?

Accepted Answer

All the options listed (A, B, and C) are aspects of cultural practices, thus making D the correct choice as it states that all of these are indeed parts of cultural practices.

Question 9

The book compares the culture logic behind the Trobrianders' explanations for why magic fails at certain times to which other explanation for failure that is internally consistent with one culture's logic?

Accepted Answer

The book likely draws a parallel between the Trobrianders' cultural logic and the dentist's explanation, as both involve rationalizing unexpected outcomes within the framework of their respective belief systems.

Question 10

Which of the following is the best description of "expressive culture" as the concept was related in the book?

Accepted Answer

Expressive culture refers to the aspects of culture that involve expression, creativity, and the arts, such as poetry, art, and performance, showcasing how a culture represents and communicates its identity and values to itself and others.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of a culture shock?

Accepted Answer

Culture shock often involves encountering unexpected differences in cultural norms or laws, such as discovering that a daily routine is illegal in another country.

Question 12

Anthropology as a field of study can be said to be

Accepted Answer

Anthropology is evolutionary because it studies the biological and cultural evolution of humans. It is comparative as it examines similarities and differences among human cultures. It is holistic because it integrates all aspects of human existence, including biological, cultural, and linguistic, to provide a comprehensive understanding of humanity.

Question 13

What is particularly unique about anthropology, as compared to most other social sciences?

Accepted Answer

Anthropology is unique because it is a holistic discipline that studies humans across time and space, integrating aspects of culture, biology, history, and language, rather than focusing on a single subject matter.

Question 14

Cross-cultural comparison is necessary to

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cross-cultural comparison is necessary to
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Question 15

Which of the following is considered the holistic way of studying human nature?

Accepted Answer

C is correct because it encompasses a broad range of factors (use of land, family ties, social organization, religious practices, language, and material goods) to understand human behavior, which aligns with the holistic approach of considering multiple aspects of human life and culture.

Question 16

Long-term study by anthropologists in a host community, in which they enter as deeply as possible into the everyday life of the community is called

Accepted Answer

Participant-observation is a qualitative research method used by anthropologists to gain a deep understanding of a community's culture and practices by actively engaging in their daily lives.

Question 17

An evolutionary account of a given culture, to an anthropologist, would attempt to show that

Accepted Answer

An evolutionary account from an anthropological perspective recognizes that societies constantly change over time, but this change is not inherently judged as progress or regression. It emphasizes the dynamic nature of cultural evolution without assigning value judgments of improvement or deterioration.

Question 18

The best definition of "methodological relativism" is

Accepted Answer

Methodological relativism is the approach in anthropology and sociology that aims to understand a culture's beliefs and practices within its own cultural context without making judgments. This means recognizing that behaviors or beliefs are understandable within their own context, rather than immediately labeling them as "right" or "wrong" from an outsider's perspective.

Question 19

According to the authors, few anthropologists are _____ relativists.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the authors, few anthropologists are...

Question 20

Which of the following insights can anthropology offer to the field of international studies?

Accepted Answer

Anthropology emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural contexts, including how decisions by leaders impact various groups within societies. This perspective is valuable in international studies for a comprehensive understanding of global issues, beyond just the actions of world leaders.

Quiz 3: Anthropology and Intercultural Relations