Question 1

How is the ethnohistorian's work similar to that of a historian?
A) They must piece together information from scattered-and sometimes contradictory-sources.
B) They work entirely on populations from the past.
C) They eschew artifacts in favor of the written record.
D) Both are housed in history departments in most universities.

Accepted Answer

Both ethnohistorians and historians have to use a variety of sources to piece together information about the past, including written records, oral histories, and artifacts. This information is often scattered and may be contradictory, so both types of historians must use critical analysis and interpretation to create a coherent narrative.

Question 2

Why do most disciplines become more specialized as they grow?
A) Knowledge accumulates and methods become more advanced.
B) People get bored studying the same topics over and over again.
C) Theories fade out of use and more complex ideas must take their place.
D) Scientists today are simply more intelligent than scientists of the past.

Accepted Answer

As knowledge accumulates, scientists are able to build upon existing theories and methods, leading to more advanced and specialized areas of study. Additionally, as more people enter a field, there is a greater opportunity for specialization and development of subfields.

Question 3

How does specialization affect an anthropologist's connection to other disciplines?
A) Most anthropologists have some overlap with other disciplines that share their research.
B) Specialization isolates anthropologists from other disciplines.
C) There is very little specialization in anthropology, so communication with other disciplines is frequent.
D) Anthropologists can become so specialized they become a part of another discipline altogether.

Accepted Answer

While specialization allows anthropologists to focus on a specific area of research, many anthropologists still have overlap with other disciplines such as sociology, history, or archaeology. This allows for communication and collaboration between different fields of study.

Question 4

What drives anthropologists to choose such a broad subject of study?
A) They believe that any generalization about humans should be applicable across time and space.
B) A key tenet within anthropology is that there is a fundamental base to all human culture.
C) Many anthropologists believe that other disciplines lack scientific rigor.
D) Anthropology attracts people who have difficulty narrowing their research focus.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What drives anthropologists to choose such a...

Question 5

What is the holistic approach? Demonstrate how the holistic approach is a vital component of the anthropological perspective.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the holistic approach? Demonstrate how...

Question 6

Which of the following disciplines would have the greatest overlap with archaeologists researching early toolmaking?
A) geology
B) geography
C) anatomy
D) sociology

Accepted Answer

Geology is the study of Earth's physical structure and substance, including the materials from which tools were made. Therefore, archaeologists researching early toolmaking would have the greatest overlap with geology. Geography, anatomy, and sociology are not as closely related to this specific area of study.

Question 7

Consider the following subfields of anthropology: archaeology,primatology,paleoanthropology,ethnology,and linguistic anthropology. Group these subfields into either biological anthropology or cultural anthropology,and explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider the following subfields of anthropology: archaeology,primatology,paleoanthropology,ethnology,and...

Question 8

Compared to the historian,the archaeologist is __________.
A) more likely to study very ancient cultures
B) less likely to analyze written records of ancient societies
C) more likely to analyze written records of ancient societies
D) more likely to study how societies change over time

Accepted Answer

Archaeologists often specialize in studying very ancient cultures through the analysis of artifacts and physical remains, while historians tend to focus on written records of societies. Therefore, the archaeologist is more likely to study very ancient cultures compared to the historian.

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of an ethnologist's fieldwork?
A) It provides the data needed to describe the typical behavior and thought of a group of people.
B) It allows researchers to become more sympathetic to their research subjects' concerns.
C) Fieldwork is a training period to prepare ethnologists for jobs as professors.
D) It is a rite of passage for anthropologists, as it is a traditional component of anthropological work.

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of an ethnologist's fieldwork is to gather data and information about a specific group of people that can be used to describe their typical behavior and thought patterns. This data is then used to analyze and understand the culture of the group being studied. While fieldwork may also lead to increased empathy and understanding of research subjects, this is not the primary goal. Similarly, fieldwork is not just a training period or rite of passage, but a critical component of anthropological research.

Question 10

Anthropologists are becoming more and more specialized. Does this specialization complement or weaken the historically unique anthropological perspective?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Anthropologists are becoming more and more specialized....

Question 11

How is the study of anthropology useful?
A) The study of anthropology gives us a better understanding of humankind.
B) Exploring human variation shows us why social stratification is unavoidable.
C) It teaches us that Western culture should be replaced by more indigenous belief systems.
D) The study of world cultures helps us determine which culture traits are the best.

Accepted Answer

Studying anthropology allows us to gain insights into the diversity and complexity of human societies, cultures, and behaviors. By understanding and appreciating different cultural practices and belief systems, we can develop more empathy, tolerance, and respect for others. This knowledge can also inform policies and practices related to issues such as health, education, and human rights.

Question 12

Although archaeologists and historians are both interested in the past,how does archaeology differ from history in its approach?
A) Unlike historians, archaeologists study past societies that pre-date written records, using only material remains such as pottery and stone tools.
B) Unlike historians, archaeologists only care about the writing systems of non-English speakers.
C) Archaeologists dig up dinosaurs, while historians focus on humans.
D) Archaeologists only rely on fossil remains from human ancestors.

Accepted Answer

Archaeology focuses on studying past societies by analyzing material remains such as artifacts and structures, whereas history relies heavily on written records. As a result, archaeology is more likely to be used for studying cultures that pre-date the use of writing systems, while history is more useful for studying cultures that had a written record.

Question 13

Ethnology overlaps with more specific disciplines,such as literature,economics,or religious studies. What,then,is the distinctive feature of ethnology?
A) It is interested in how these various aspects of life fit together.
B) It focuses on non-Western variation in these areas.
C) It compares these topics cross-culturally.
D) Only ethnology studies these issues among people with no written language.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ethnology overlaps with more specific disciplines,such as...

Question 14

Anthropology is sometimes called the "umbrella discipline" because it can encompass so many diverse areas of study. Explain what topics fall under the scope of anthropology,and why.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Anthropology is sometimes called the "umbrella discipline"...

Question 15

What is the relevance of anthropology? Give at least three examples of anthropological knowledge being applied to real-world problems.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 1: What Is Anthropology?

How is the ethnohistorian's work similar to that of a historian?

Why do most disciplines become more specialized as they grow?

How does specialization affect an anthropologist's connection to other disciplines?

What drives anthropologists to choose such a broad subject of study?

What is the holistic approach? Demonstrate how the holistic approach is a vital component of the anthropological perspective.

Which of the following disciplines would have the greatest overlap with archaeologists researching early toolmaking?

Consider the following subfields of anthropology: archaeology,primatology,paleoanthropology,ethnology,and linguistic anthropology. Group these subfields into either biological anthropology or cultural anthropology,and explain your answer.

Compared to the historian,the archaeologist is __________.

What is the primary purpose of an ethnologist's fieldwork?

Anthropologists are becoming more and more specialized. Does this specialization complement or weaken the historically unique anthropological perspective?

How is the study of anthropology useful?

Although archaeologists and historians are both interested in the past,how does archaeology differ from history in its approach?

Ethnology overlaps with more specific disciplines,such as literature,economics,or religious studies. What,then,is the distinctive feature of ethnology?

Anthropology is sometimes called the "umbrella discipline" because it can encompass so many diverse areas of study. Explain what topics fall under the scope of anthropology,and why.

What is the relevance of anthropology? Give at least three examples of anthropological knowledge being applied to real-world problems.