Deck 5: The Cultural Construction of Identity

Question 1

In Northern Ireland, Catholics emphasize their decency and see themselves as the only true Irish. Meanwhile, Protestants take pride in their military triumphs and their loyalty to Great Britain. These self-images illustrate the concept of:

A) egocentrism.
B) positive identity.
C) negative identity.
D) cultural relativism.

Answer 1

positive identity.

Question 2

According to the author, what is the most important set of characteristics used to define people in most societies?

A) Dress
B) Job status
C) Kinship
D) Economic class

Answer 2

Kinship

Question 3

Among which group is circumcision the central feature of a boy's rite of passage into manhood?

A) The Masai people of Kenya.
B) Irish Catholics
C) The Ju/wasi people of Botswana.
D) Japanese.

Answer 3

The Masai people of Kenya.

Question 4

According to James Carrier, objects with little or no special meaning are called:

A) commodities
B) gifts
C) possessions
D) presentations

Question 5

Women in American society use devices like tag questions and rising intonation:

A) To avoid demonstrating strong opinions.
B) To appear childlike.
C) To show their class status.
D) To demonstrate indirect speech.

Question 6

Why is the concept of a third gender still quite unusual for most Americans?

A) Because of the country's Christian legacy.
B) Because most Americans associate sexual preference with culture.
C) Because most Americans associate gender with sexual preference.
D) Because for most Americans gender is a private matter.

Question 7

What helps define an individual's social identity?

A) Him- or herself
B) People s/he interacts with in everyday life
C) Normative categories s/he is placed within
D) The behavioral rules he or she follows

Question 8

The Gitksan of the Pacific Northwest believe what about personal names?

A) There are only a few special powerful names.
B) Woman must not name their daughters after themselves or their mothers.
C) People must change their names as they change their social positions.
D) A son must be named after his paternal grandfather.

Question 9

The exchange of kula items is:

A) a concrete representation of ties between individuals
B) the initiation of a marriage proposal
C) the beginning of a war alliance
D) the requirement of local elites

Question 10

Rites of passage are rituals that mark the transition from one life stage to the next. Which of the following is NOT found among virtually all rites of passage?

A) The person is separated from an existing identity.
B) The person enters a transition phase.
C) The person receives gifts from the society.
D) Changes are incorporated into a new identity.

Question 11

The idea that qualities such as generosity, integrity, or beauty can only apply to social situations, not individuals, describes which view of the self?

A) Individualistic
B) Holistic
C) Sociocentric
D) Egocentric

Question 12

The process of choosing different aspects of one's identity to emphasize is called:

A) positive identity
B) structural identity
C) identity creation
D) identity toolbox

Question 13

What statement below is NOT true of kula exchanges?

A) Necklaces travel clockwise
B) Men can recite long stories about their gifts
C) One may trade kula goods for basic necessities
D) Traders should not keep their goods for too long

Question 14

Mahatma Gandhi referred to individuals as drops in the ocean that cannot survive without the ocean. This perspective is considered:

A) individualistic.
B) holistic.
C) sociocentric.
D) egocentric.

Question 15

How do many, or even most, Americans perceive the self?

A) As an autonomous, stable individual
B) As linked to place of origin and family network
C) As a product of consumer society
D) As a drop in the ocean

Question 16

Japanese people, like Americans, conceive of themselves as individuals. However, unlike most Americans, Japanese believe that autonomy:

A) is established through competition.
B) takes place away from society.
C) is a dangerous concept.
D) is demonstrated through language patterns.

Question 17

The berdache or nadle among Native Americans are:

A) specialized shamans.
B) considered disgusting by adult males.
C) limited to sexually focused occupations.
D) biological males who adopt many female roles, creating a third gender.

Question 18

The principle of reciprocity means that

A) Exchanges have limited value
B) Receiving a gift obligates one to return a gift
C) Gift exchanges are generally unimportant
D) One should avoid unfair obligations

Question 19

In her research on fraternity practices on American college campuses, Peggy Sanday uses the term "phallocentrism," which refers to the penis as a symbol of

A) masculine social power and dominance.
B) homosexual identity.
C) fertility.
D) bonding.

Question 20

The kula ring involves the circulation of what objects?

A) Yams and fish.
B) Salmon and totems.
C) Necklaces and armbands.
D) Gold and spices.

Question 21

According to James Carrier, what differentiates a possession from a commodity?

A) Whether it is a gift.
B) Whether it is associated in a personal way with a producer or a distributor.
C) Whether is of high quality.
D) Whether it is personally owned by someone.

Question 22

Among the Melpa of New Guinea, a Big Man is a leader who is independent and wealthy in terms of:

A) his cash.
B) his number of dependents.
C) his yam fields.
D) his number of pigs.

Question 23

The Japanese proverb "the nail that sticks up gets hammered down" is an indication of Japanese industriousness.

Question 24

Individuals can change or manipulate their identity by changing their language.

Question 25

Nichter's study of the body image concerns of adolescent girls led her to conclude which of the following?

A) Families and schools were not providing girls with effective instructions on the developmental process.
B) Classes on nutrition and exercise were ineffective .
C) Schools provided easy access to fatty food and soda in lunchrooms.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 26

Mimi Nichter discovered that adolescent girls are especially vulnerable to body image issues because:

A) they gain weight during puberty and feel critical of their own bodies.
B) they are often criticized by adolescent boys.
C) they are overeducated on nutrition and the development process.
D) they have been told by their parents that they are fat.

Question 27

According to Carrier, what is the difference between a commodity and a gift exchange?

A) In a gift exchange, a permanent link is established.
B) In a gift exchange, the receiver does not have to pay anything.
C) In a commodity exchange, money is involved.
D) In a commodity exchange, a buyer and a seller know each other.

Question 28

Berdache is a term used by the Cheyenne and Lakota to designate biological females who identify as males.

Question 29

In many societies rites of passage serve to transform the individual from one status to another.

Question 30

When a Big Man successfully makes moka, he acquires:

A) a number of pigs for his use.
B) status and prestige.
C) salt, oils and ax blades.
D) money.

Question 31

When people interact with others, they invariably seek to categorize these others.

Question 32

In what social sphere is Christmas gift-giving most important for most Americans?

A) Among friends and neighbors
B) Within the family
C) At work
D) Within religious circles

Question 33

African politics are often described as "tribal" while European politics are not.

Question 34

The dominant view of the self in American society is egocentric.

Question 35

When an individual modifies a commodity-say, painting a piece of furniture-Carrier calls this:

A) appropriation.
B) utility.
C) materiality.
D) Personalization.

Question 36

Kin ties, gender, and age are some of the most common categories people use to differentiate and group people.

Question 37

American parents and teachers tend to use more diminutives when speaking to girls and more direct prohibitions when speaking to boys.

Question 38

Which of the following is true from a socio-centric perspective?

A) Social situations, not individuals, possess qualities.
B) Americans possess the most enduring qualities.
C) Individuals vary in their possession of enduring qualities.
D) People generally feel that their culture is superior to others.

Question 39

According to Robin Lakoff, females and males with little power use the same form of speech that reflects their weak social position.

Question 40

Carrier notes that although most Americans are ambivalent about Christmas shopping and giving, they generally still participate because:

A) there is a religious requirement to do so.
B) they fear the disapproval of their friends.
C) it re-creates and reaffirms social relations.
D) it is recognized as a benefit to the economy.

Question 41

Carrier suggests that commodities are items that carry specific economic value.

Question 42

Among the Melpa people of Papua New Guinea, the gift giving practice of moka requires unequal exchange.

Question 43

Overweight individuals face employment discrimination.

Question 44

A gift exchanged as part of a kula ring usually has been exchanged before.

Question 45

Fraternity male-bonding is often achieved through the abuse of women.