Question 1

A cross-cultural comparison reveals that in all societies, most families possess all but which of the following characteristics?

Accepted Answer

A system of roles and expectations in families is not solely based on societal intervention but also on cultural, economic, and personal factors.

Question 2

Which of the following have been responsible for changes in long-held beliefs in the United States?

Accepted Answer

All three options listed (increased presence of a common media, scientific research, and the civil rights and women's movements) have played a role in shifting long-held beliefs in the United States. The widespread dissemination of information and news through digital media has allowed for greater awareness and exposure to different perspectives, while scientific research has challenged traditional beliefs about topics such as climate change and medical treatments. Additionally, social and political movements such as the civil rights and women's movements have challenged dominant power structures and advocated for new ideas and values to be embraced.

Question 3

Linguistic anthropology analyzes a society in terms of human communication, including its origins, history, and contemporary variation and change. How individuals speak belies information about which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Linguistic anthropology analyzes how language reflects the structure and evolution of a society, including power dynamics and social hierarchies. While language may also provide insight into multiculturalism and sexism in a society, these are not the primary focuses of linguistic anthropology.

Question 4

Culture is people's learned and shared behaviors and beliefs or the ways of life that are common to a society. Variations in those ways of life within a society are called

Accepted Answer

Variations in ways of life within a society are known as subcultures. Subcultures are groups within a larger culture that have their own distinct values, beliefs, and behaviors. Mores are the basic moral values of a society, sanctions are the consequences for violating social norms, and rituals are established procedures for certain social events. These do not refer to variations in ways of life within a society.

Question 5

Functionalism assumes that there are certain minimum __________ needs, as well as social and psychological needs that must be satisfied if individuals and society are to __________.

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is a theoretical perspective that focuses on the interdependence of different aspects of society and assumes that society is a complex system with various interconnected parts. According to functionalism, there are certain basic biological needs that must be met in order for individuals and society to survive, such as the need for food, water, shelter, and reproduction. Functionalism also acknowledges the importance of social and psychological needs, such as the need for companionship, social status, and self-esteem, in maintaining social order and stability. However, financial, cultural, and spiritual needs are not necessarily fundamental to the survival and functioning of society, and therefore are not assumed by the functionalist perspective.

Question 6

Idealism focuses on the importance of ideas in determining culture. Idealists assert that the components of needs and the resources to meet them are

Accepted Answer

Idealism asserts that cultural components are socially constructed, which means that these are ideas determined and shaped by social interactions among individuals and groups within a society. Therefore, the components of needs and resources are also socially constructed. The government, human instinct, or individual choices do not necessarily shape or determine cultural components according to idealism.

Question 7

Culture is communicated by the socialization process. Some agents of socialization are

Accepted Answer

All of the options (family, schools, and media) are agents of socialization that contribute to the communication of culture. Family is typically the first and most influential agent, shaping a person's values, beliefs, and behaviors from a young age. Schools then reinforce cultural norms and expectations, while also introducing new ideas and perspectives. Finally, the media plays a major role in shaping popular culture, norms, and values, both consciously and unconsciously through entertainment, news, and advertising. Therefore, all of these agents work together to socialize individuals into their respective cultures.

Question 8

Believing that one's culture should be the benchmark by which to measure other cultures is called

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that one's own culture is superior to others and should be used as a standard for measuring other cultures. This view often involves the assumption that other cultures are judged to be inferior or less developed based solely on how they differ from one's own culture. This can result in a lack of understanding and empathy for other cultures and can lead to biases and prejudices.

Question 9

Ethnocentrism is judging other cultures solely in terms of one's own culture. Cultural relativity is

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the opposite of cultural relativity. Cultural relativity involves suspending judgment of other society’s customs, practices, and institutions, and trying to understand them within their own cultural context. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B is incorrect because cultural relativity is not another word for ethnocentrism. Option C is also incorrect because judging other cultures in terms of the nearest neighboring society is not an accurate definition of cultural relativity. Option D is incorrect because not all of the options are correct.

Question 10

The family is the principal agent of socialization into society. In all societies, the family centers on

Accepted Answer

The family is primarily responsible for procreation and child-rearing functions across all societies. This includes teaching children about societal norms, values, and expectations, and preparing them to participate in society as they grow older. While some families may also have other functions such as education or religious guidance, these are secondary to the core role of socializing children.

Question 11

In advanced industrial societies, governments perform some of the traditional functions of the family, further increasing opportunities for women. Which of the following are areas where the government steps in?

Accepted Answer

In advanced industrial societies, governments provide formal education, government welfare programs to assist dependent children, and care for the aged, sick, and others incapable of supporting themselves. These functions were traditionally performed by families, but as societies become more specialized and complex, governments have taken on an increasing role in these areas. This has created more opportunities for women to pursue education and careers outside of the home, as they are less burdened with traditional caregiving roles.

Question 12

A religious object from an ancient culture is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

A religious object from an ancient culture is an artifact, which is a human-made object that provides clues about the culture and society that created it.

Question 13

Religion is evident in all known cultures. Religion helps us answer such universal questions as:

Accepted Answer

Religion is often used to provide answers to questions about the afterlife and what happens when we die. It is not typically used to guide career choices or decisions about marriage partners.

Question 14

Which of the following is not a characteristic of an agrarian society where the family is patriarchal and patrilineal?

Accepted Answer

In an agrarian society where the family is patriarchal and patrilineal, it is uncommon for the wife to own and manage the family's economic enterprise. The male is the dominant authority, women face a lifetime of childbearing, child rearing, and household work, and families of ten or fifteen children are not uncommon.

Question 15

A symbol is anything that has meaning bestowed on it by those who use it. Words are symbols and language is

Accepted Answer

Symbols are the basis of symbolic communication, which is a form of communication that relies on symbols (such as words, gestures, or images) to convey meaning. Therefore, A is the best choice as it accurately reflects this definition. B, C, and D are not accurate as direct communication refers to communication without the use of symbols, false communication implies deliberate deception or misinformation, and codified communication refers to communication with standardized codes or protocols, but not specifically to symbolic communication.

Question 16

When a population grows and in response to that growth exploits the environment and uses it more intensely, that process is known as intensification. What are populations forced to do as a result of the detrimental impacts of intensification?

Accepted Answer

As populations grow and intensify their use of the environment, they often must find new and innovative ways to meet their material needs, using more energy in the process. This can include techniques such as agriculture, trade, and technological advancements. While population controls may be one solution to this issue, they are not always the most effective or ethical approach.

Question 17

Anthropologists often subdivide a culture into various components in order to simplify thinking about it. The components of culture do not include

Accepted Answer

Theories are not components of culture, but are rather explanations or interpretations of cultural phenomena. The other options - artifacts, symbols, and beliefs - are all components of culture that anthropologists commonly identify and analyze.

Question 18

A ___________ perspective in anthropology emphasizes that cultural institutions and practices serve individual or societal needs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A ___________ perspective in anthropology emphasizes that...

Question 19

Beliefs are shared ideas about what is true. Culture includes beliefs about which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Culture includes a wide range of beliefs, including those related to marriage and family, religion and the purpose of life, and economic and political organization. Therefore, the best choice is D, all of these.

Question 20

Shared ideas about what is good and desirable are known as values. Values provide us with standards

Accepted Answer

Values provide standards for judging ways of life, guiding behavior and decision-making based on what is considered good and desirable.

Quiz 4: Power and Culture: an Anthropologists View