Question 1

Calling the achievements of individuals from so-called minority groups as 'firsts' reflects institutionalized (or structural) racism because it:

Accepted Answer

Labeling achievements as 'firsts' for minority groups can imply inferiority (A), divert attention from systemic barriers (B), and individualize accomplishments, thus distracting from systemic issues (E). These points collectively suggest that such labeling reflects institutionalized racism.

Question 2

In the modern Western world, institutionalized (or structural) racism is:

Accepted Answer

Institutionalized (or structural) racism refers to the ways in which racist attitudes and practices are built into the policies, systems, and institutions of a society or organization. It is often expressed through inaction, or the failure to challenge and change systems that perpetuate racism, rather than the actions of individual bigots. It can be difficult to recognize and address because it is often invisible to those who benefit from it.

Question 3

Of the following, which is an example of 'institutionalized racism'?

Accepted Answer

All of the given examples demonstrate 'institutionalized racism', as they are systematic and entrenched practices that perpetuate racial inequality and discrimination.

Question 4

A coroner's description of a corpse as an 'Asian female between 20-25 years of age' is certainly an example of:

Accepted Answer

The description of the corpse as an 'Asian female' is a clear example of racialization, which is the process of categorizing people into racial groups based on physical or cultural characteristics. This description focuses on the person's race as a defining characteristic, which can reinforce stereotypes and perpetuate discrimination.

Question 5

Because the Nate Harrison archaeological excavations described in the Chapter 5 supplement box focused on artifacts, it was able to show that this Black pioneer:

Accepted Answer

The archaeological excavations revealed artifacts that indicated Nate Harrison ran a large and highly productive ranch, which counters the racist narratives that cast him as lazy. This is supported by the evidence of his active and industrious lifestyle as shown through the artifacts found at his homestead.

Question 6

The largest and most significant waves of Homo sapiens to migrate out of Africa came around:

Accepted Answer

The largest and most significant waves of Homo sapiens to migrate out of Africa came 60-50,000 years ago, as evidenced by genetic and archaeological data.

Question 7

In relation to humanity's global spread, the 'replacement hypothesis' describes the idea that groups that left Africa early to occupy territory on other continents (early immigrants) were:

Accepted Answer

All of the answers are correct. The replacement hypothesis suggests that early immigrants were killed off by diseases, violence, or displacement, or were unable to adapt to the new environment, leaving the territory open for later immigrant groups.

Question 8

The decision by some scientists to call Neanderthals Homo neanderthalis instead of Homo sapiens neanderthalis:

Accepted Answer

Calling Neanderthals Homo neanderthalis instead of Homo sapiens neanderthalis indicates the view that Neanderthals were a separate species from anatomically modern humans and did not interbreed with them.

Question 9

Human genetic variation is greatest on which continent?

Accepted Answer

African populations have the greatest genetic diversity, as humans are believed to have originated in Africa and then migrated to other parts of the world.

Question 10

Categorizing people based on visually identifiable features such as skin color is called or is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Categorizing people based on visually identifiable features such as skin color is an example of racialism or racialization, as it involves the classification or grouping of individuals based on race, which is a social construct rather than a biological fact. Racism refers to the discrimination or prejudice against individuals or groups based on their race. Eugenics refers to the selective breeding of individuals or populations to improve the genetic quality or characteristics of future generations, which is different from the categorization of individuals based on their race. Natural selection refers to the process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, which is a mechanism of evolution rather than social categorization.

Question 11

Carl Linnaeus's grouping of people into 'race' categories was an early example of

Accepted Answer

Linnaeus's grouping of people into race categories was an early example of racialization, the process of defining groups of people based on physical and cultural characteristics, and assigning them certain qualities or values. This laid the groundwork for more harmful forms of racism and discrimination.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of 'racism'?

Accepted Answer

Using racial data from the census to see if high educational achievements in a race mean that that race is superior is an example of racism.

Question 13

The 'race' of a skeleton may be determined by a forensic anthropologist, but doing so is problematic (and the subject of debate among scholars) because:

Accepted Answer

All of the options, except for option C, provide accurate reasons as to why determining the "race" of a skeleton can be problematic and the subject of debate among scholars. Option D highlights the concern that doing so can perpetuate the myth of biological racial categories, which has been discredited by scientific evidence. Option B emphasizes that other factors such as national origin, education, and occupation are more relevant to defining a person's identity. Option A reminds us that using skeletal characteristics to classify living people can be of limited use.

Question 14

The 'multiple origins' or 'multiregional' model of human evolution does NOT allow for:

Accepted Answer

The 'multiple origins' or 'multiregional' model of human evolution proposes that different populations of Homo erectus evolved into Homo sapiens in different regions of the world, without a shared common ancestor. This idea contrasts with the 'Out of Africa' model, which postulates that modern humans evolved in Africa and then migrated and replaced older populations around the world.

Question 15

Blumenbach, who created a five-race schematic, did NOT:

Accepted Answer

Blumenbach, known for his five-race schema, emphasized physical characteristics and environmental factors as influencing human diversity but maintained the unity of humankind, arguing against the notion that different races were separate species.

Question 16

In mapping the entire human population, Linnaeus did NOT:

Accepted Answer

Linnaeus did not include a ranking of the four races in his classification. His system was more focused on categorizing humans based on geographic location, physical characteristics, and supposed temperaments, without explicitly ranking them.

Question 17

Where Vitamin D is NOT naturally present in the food supply and UVB exposure is low, which situation provides the best selective advantage?

Accepted Answer

With low UVB exposure and no natural source of Vitamin D in the food supply, individuals with lighter skin are more likely to synthesize sufficient Vitamin D from limited sunlight exposure. This provides a selective advantage and improves chances of survival and reproduction.

Question 18

Which of the following has NOT been shown to follow or exhibit a geographic cline, at least historically (prior to frequent travel and relocation)?

Accepted Answer

While genetic factors may contribute to athletic prowess, there is limited evidence to suggest that this exhibits a geographic cline. Instead, athletic performance is largely due to factors such as training, nutrition, and access to resources. The other choices, ABO blood group distribution, sickle cell trait, ability to digest lactose as an adult, and skin color, have all been shown to exhibit geographic clines historically.

Question 19

Lactose tolerance:

Accepted Answer

Lactose tolerance is the ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products, into adulthood. This ability is absent in many populations around the world, but it is common in populations with a long history of dairy farming. It is believed that lactose tolerance offered a selective advantage to these populations by allowing them to exploit a nutrient-rich food source (dairy products) even after weaning, which may have contributed to better health and survival. Therefore, lactose tolerance was likely selected for in certain populations after Homo sapiens sapiens spread globally, rather than being common in our earliest ancestors or in all high-altitude mountain dwellers. Lactose tolerance is not necessary for the efficient digestion of alcohol and grain-based food items, although it is sometimes associated with a reduced risk of certain digestive disorders that affect those who consume high amounts of grain-based foods.

Question 20

Most traits that we associated with 'race':

Accepted Answer

Race is a social construct and therefore, traits that are associated with race cannot be clumped together in predictable or stable patterns. The concept of race is fluid and varies across different cultures and societies. There is also significant genetic diversity within racial groups. Therefore, traits associated with race cannot be consistently or reliably linked to one another, making option C the best choice.

Quiz 5: Global Expansion, Human Variation, and the Invention of Race