Question 1

According to Jonathan Ned Katz, when was heterosexuality "invented"?

Accepted Answer

According to Jonathan Ned Katz in his book "The Invention of Heterosexuality," the term "heterosexual" was first used in the United States in 1892. It was originally created as a medical term to describe a person who was sexually attracted to the opposite sex. However, Katz argues that the concept of heterosexuality as a distinct sexual orientation did not exist until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was part of a larger social and cultural construction of sexuality.

Question 2

Human beings have a libido-a degree of sexual and erotic drive-that varies widely. Which term refers to individuals with no erotic interest in others?

Accepted Answer

Asexual individuals refer to those who have no erotic interest in others. Homosexuals, bisexuals, and heterosexuals all have some degree of sexual and erotic drive towards others, but differ in the gender(s) they are attracted to.

Question 3

Mati may engage in sexual relationships with which of these groups?

Accepted Answer

Mati is typically defined as a non-heterosexual orientation that involves emotional and sexual relationships with both men and women. Therefore, the correct choice is D, as mati individuals may engage in sexual relationships with both men and women. Option A and B are incorrect because mati individuals are not exclusively attracted to one gender, and option C is incorrect because not all mati individuals may be attracted to other mati individuals.

Question 4

Why do contemporary anthropologists study sexuality?

Accepted Answer

Contemporary anthropologists study sexuality to gain a better understanding of the diverse expressions of sexuality worldwide. This includes examining cultural norms, beliefs, and practices surrounding sexuality, as well as understanding how sexuality intersects with other aspects of social life such as gender, power, and identity.

Question 5

When discussing sexual behavior, biologist and zoologist Alfred Kinsey is quoted as saying, "The world is not to be divided into sheep and goats." To what would he likely have been referring when he said this?

Accepted Answer

Kinsey's quote reflects his belief that sexual behavior is not binary or dichotomous, but instead exists along a continuum. Kinsey's work famously found that many people engage in a wide range of sexual behaviors and that these behaviors can shift over time. His quote suggests that attempting to divide people into discrete categories based on their sexual behavior is an oversimplification of the complexity of human sexuality. While option B is a possibility, there is no direct evidence to support this interpretation of Kinsey's quote. Option A is inaccurate because Kinsey did not believe that sexual behavior was binary. Option C is also incorrect because Kinsey found that sexual behavior can change over time.

Question 6

In addition to humans, which other mammals engage in sexual activity for fun rather than exclusively for procreation?

Accepted Answer

Dolphins have been observed engaging in sexual activity for reasons beyond procreation, including same-sex interactions and masturbation. While there is some evidence of other mammals, such as primates, engaging in sexual activity for pleasure, dolphins are the most well-known example. There is no clear evidence of cats, elephants, or gorillas engaging in sexual activity purely for pleasure.

Question 7

For the Victorians, masturbation was a form of self-abuse and seen as dangerous. Why was this particular sexual activity strongly condemned?

Accepted Answer

The Victorians believed that sex should only be for procreation and anything that did not result in childbirth was seen as immoral or sinful. Masturbation was condemned because it did not result in having children.

Question 8

According to contemporary cultural anthropologists, why do humans in most cultures seem to engage in sexual activity?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to contemporary cultural anthropologists, why do...

Question 9

Which of the following best describes machismo in Nicaragua?

Accepted Answer

Machismo in Nicaragua is best described as a kind of gender performance where men are expected to display dominance, aggression, and sexual prowess in order to assert their masculinity. It is a cultural construct that is deeply ingrained in the society and affects gender relations, power dynamics, and social norms.

Question 10

Under the rules of machismo, the machista is considered what kind of person?

Accepted Answer

According to the rules of machismo, a machista is considered a manly man who upholds traditional masculine values and behaviors.

Question 11

How did Margaret Mead's work contribute to a greater understanding of human sexuality?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Mead's work challenged the assumption that U.S. attitudes toward sexuality were universal traits fixed in human nature. Her research in Samoa showed that cultural attitudes and behaviors played a significant role in shaping human sexuality, rather than biology alone. This helped to promote a greater understanding and acceptance of diverse sexual practices and behaviors across different cultures.

Question 12

Why do the "salary men" of white-collar Japan go to hostess bars?

Accepted Answer

Going to hostess bars is a common practice in white-collar Japan for building and strengthening office relationships and corporate culture through socializing and drinking together. It is considered an important aspect of doing business in Japan.

Question 13

The stereotype that men have an excessive, sometimes abusive, sex drive is often blamed on testosterone. In light of this, what does physical anthropologist Helen Fisher believe is important to note about this neurochemical?

Accepted Answer

Physical anthropologist Helen Fisher notes that testosterone is found in both men and women, and its presence alone cannot be used to explain or excuse abusive behavior.

Question 14

Roger Lancaster found that in Nicaragua, men who received anal intercourse were stigmatized while men who penetrated other men during anal intercourse were still considered properly masculine. What does this reveal about the concept of machismo?

Accepted Answer

Lancaster's finding suggests that machismo creates a strong contrast between aggression and passivity, where men who are penetrated during anal intercourse are seen as passive and therefore stigmatized, while those who penetrate others are still seen as properly masculine and therefore not stigmatized. This reinforces the idea that machismo is about asserting dominance and control over others, especially women and those seen as weaker or more passive.

Question 15

Which of these best describes sexuality?

Accepted Answer

Sexuality encompasses desires, beliefs, and behaviors related to erotic physical contact, as well as cultural ideas about these desires, beliefs, and behaviors. It includes a wide range of aspects such as sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual practices, and sexual attitudes, and is influenced by various factors such as biology, culture, and personal experiences.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the mati of Suriname is correct?

Accepted Answer

Mati of Suriname view sexuality as a flexible behavior rather than a fixed identity, meaning they do not conform to the binary constructs of heterosexuality and homosexuality. Mati may engage in sexual activity with both men and women and do not necessarily identify as exclusively lesbian or bisexual. This differs from European ideas of lesbianism, making option A incorrect. While mati may also engage in "visiting relationships" with female partners, this is not the only reason they enter these relationships, making option C partially incorrect. "Mati work" is not a practice that originated in the Netherlands and was transferred to Suriname during colonization, making option D incorrect.

Question 17

What have geneticists found regarding the genetic code and human sexual orientation?

Accepted Answer

While there have been studies exploring genetic factors that may contribute to sexual orientation, there is currently no evidence of a single gene or cluster of genes that determine whether someone is gay or straight. Sexual orientation is likely the result of a complex interplay between genetic, environmental, and social factors.

Question 18

The Victorian ideal of sexuality was focused on procreation and discouraged the idea of having sex for pleasure. Having sex "for fun" was considered out of keeping with what aspect of society at that time?

Accepted Answer

The Victorian ideal of sexuality was heavily influenced by Christian teachings, which emphasized the importance of procreation within the boundaries of marriage. Any sexual activity outside of this context was considered immoral and shameful.

Question 19

Mapping the global scope of diverse human sexual beliefs and behaviors, or ethnocartography, offers the chance for a deeper analysis of one's own culture. What else does such work provide?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocartography provides a reexamination of what seems "normal" by showing how different cultures have diverse beliefs and behaviors related to sexuality, which can challenge one's own cultural assumptions about what is considered "normal." It does not provide a complete history of human sexuality or a good understanding of the biological causes of sexuality, nor does it give the ability to determine which sexual behavior should be considered immoral.

Question 20

The mati in Suriname form intimate spiritual, emotional, and sexual relationships with other women but may maintain a "visiting" relationship with men for the purposes of children and economics. To some, this might suggest that these women are what?

Accepted Answer

The mati in Suriname engage in both same-sex relationships with women and different-sex relationships with men, indicating a bisexual orientation rather than exclusively homosexual (lesbian) or heterosexual behavior.

Quiz 9: Sexuality