Question 1

Cultures are adaptive systems _______________.

Accepted Answer

Cultures are not static and unchanging; instead they are dynamic and adapt to changing circumstances. Cultures are shaped by historical, environmental, social, and economic factors, and these factors are constantly evolving. As a result, cultures must also evolve in order to survive and thrive.

Question 2

According to the North American anthropologist Ralph Linton,about 90 percent of any culture's content comes from _______________.

Accepted Answer

Diffusion refers to the spread of cultural elements from one society to another, and according to Linton, this accounts for the majority of any culture's content, rather than primary innovation or invention, which are more rare occurrences. Syncretism and revolution may contribute to cultural change, but are not as significant as diffusion.

Question 3

Acculturation differs from other types of processes of change because it always involves an element of _______________.

Accepted Answer

Acculturation involves an element of force, either directly or indirectly, as it typically occurs when one culture undergoes significant changes due to the influence of another, more dominant culture. This process can happen through colonization, invasion, or other forms of dominance, where the less dominant culture adopts or adapts elements from the more dominant one, not always voluntarily.

Question 4

The deliberate use of basic ideas in some practical application,such as making use of the knowledge of how electricity works to develop the telephone,is called _______________.

Accepted Answer

The deliberate use of basic ideas in some practical application is referred to as secondary innovation. It involves taking existing technologies and recombining them in new and creative ways to produce novel products or services. Developing the telephone by utilizing the knowledge of how electricity works is an example of secondary innovation. The other options, such as revitalization, primary innovation, modernization, and integrative mechanism, are not suitable definitions for this concept.

Question 5

_______________ occurs when two societies with different cultures come into prolonged,firsthand contact,and one or both of these societies experience major processes of change.

Accepted Answer

Acculturation is the process that occurs when two societies with different cultures come into prolonged, firsthand contact, and one or both of these societies experience major processes of change. This may involve changes in language, values, customs, and social structure, and can be either voluntary or forced. Acculturation can result in the development of new cultural forms, such as syncretism, or the adoption of elements of one culture by another through processes such as diffusion or innovation. Nativism, on the other hand, is a rejection of foreign cultural influences, often resulting in attempts to return to a perceived pure or original form of culture.

Question 6

The ultimate source of all new ideas in a culture is _______________.

Accepted Answer

Innovation refers to the creation of new ideas, products or processes within a society. While imitation, diffusion, revolution and modernization can all result in the spread and adoption of existing ideas or practices, they do not necessarily lead to the development of novel concepts. Therefore, innovation is the ultimate source of new ideas in a culture.

Question 7

According to Stephen Jay Gould,"Wheels,like wings,fins,and brains,are exquisite devices for certain purposes,not signs of intrinsic superiority." Which of the following statements about the use of the wheel in the Middle East is correct?

Accepted Answer

The statement that wheels were once widespread in the Middle East, but were eventually replaced by camels due to the deteriorating Roman roads and the suitability of camels to uneven terrain is accurate. This idea is supported by historical accounts from the region. Option A is incorrect because wheels were used in the Middle East, although camels were also a common mode of transportation. Option B makes a sweeping generalization and is inaccurate. Option D is also inaccurate, as camels continue to be widely used in the region. Option E is a false statement with no historical basis.

Question 8

The extermination of one group of people by another,often deliberately and in the name of progress,is called _______________.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocide refers to the deliberate extermination of a cultural or ethnic group by another, often in the name of progress or assimilation. Acculturation refers to the process of cultural exchange that occurs when two or more cultures come into contact and share ideas, beliefs, and practices. Diffusion refers to the spread of cultural traits from one society to another. Applied anthropology involves the use of anthropological knowledge and methods to solve practical problems. Primary innovation refers to the creation of new cultural traits or practices through individual or collective invention.

Question 9

In New England,the culture of English-speakers replaced the various cultures of Native Americans living along the coast.Your text says that this occurred because _______________.

Accepted Answer

The success of English-speakers in establishing colonies along coastal New England can primarily be attributed to a combination of accidental factors, such as disease epidemics that severely weakened Native American populations, as well as conflicts between different Native American groups that English-speakers were able to exploit. It is important to note that superiority of one culture over another is not a sufficient explanation for the displacement of Native American cultures by English-speaking culture.

Question 10

Where did the earliest firing of clay vessels to make them more durable take place?

Accepted Answer

The earliest firing of clay vessels to make them more durable took place in Asia. Specifically, pottery dating back to 20,000 years ago has been found in China and Japan, indicating that pottery was being fired in kilns during that time period.

Question 11

As a result of prolonged firsthand contact between societies A and B,which of the following might happen?

Accepted Answer

The reality is that prolonged firsthand contact between societies A and B is likely to result in a combination of the different possibilities outlined in options A, B, and C. In some cases, cultural fusion might take place resulting in a new hybrid culture incorporating elements of both cultures. In some cases, society A might lose some or all of its autonomy, becoming a subculture within society B. In other cases, society A might be completely wiped out, resulting in the displacement of its members. However, Option D is less plausible because in most cases, some tensions or conflicts are likely to arise during the process of contact and adaptation, even if societies A and B might end up living side by side in peace, harmony, and prosperity. Therefore, option E is the most comprehensive and realistic.

Question 12

Why did English-speakers replace the culture of Native Americans along coastal New England?

Accepted Answer

The replacement of Native American culture by English-speakers in coastal New England was due to a combination of factors: B) the English had prior experience in dominating other cultures; C) a devastating epidemic significantly reduced the native population, making them more vulnerable to English influence; and D) economic and social conditions in England drove significant migration to the Americas. A) is not directly related to the cultural replacement within New England itself.

Question 13

Which of the following distinguishes acculturation from other forms of processes of change?

Accepted Answer

Acculturation involves prolonged firsthand contact between two groups, often with an imbalance of power, leading to significant cultural changes, sometimes involving force or coercion.

Question 14

In biblical times,chariots and carts were widespread in the Middle East,but by the 6th century,the old Roman roads had deteriorated so much that wheeled vehicles were replaced by camels.This illustrates that the processes of change is sometimes due to _______________.

Accepted Answer

The replacement of wheeled vehicles by camels indicates a cultural loss, where the old technology was no longer used or maintained, and new cultural practices, in this case, the use of camels, took over. It was not a primary invention or secondary invention since the technology for chariots and carts already existed, and camels were already known to be useful for transportation. Diffusion refers to the spread of cultural practices from one group to another, which does not apply here. Revitalization refers to the revival or restoration of an old cultural practice, which also does not apply in this context.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about diffusion is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

This statement is not related to diffusion, as it is describing the diffusion of a particular crop rather than the process of cultural borrowing and integration. The other statements all relate to cultural diffusion.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of primary innovation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 17

Copernicus' discovery that the earth orbits the sun rather than vice versa _______________.

Accepted Answer

Copernicus' heliocentric model, proposing that the Earth orbits the sun, was revolutionary and challenged the prevailing geocentric model endorsed by the Church and society at the time, making it out of step with the predominant needs, values, and goals of his era.

Question 18

The chance discovery of some new principle that can be applied in a variety of ways is _______________.

Accepted Answer

The chance discovery of a new principle that can be applied in a variety of ways is considered a primary innovation.

Question 19

You are a Central Asian nomad.You and your family are migrating westwards,and have just wiped out a farming village.You are wondering how you can carry some of the booty from the raid,since the horses already have too much to carry.You watch your daughter playing with a small toy that has two little wheels made from dried,twisted grass.Suddenly you jump up and shout the Central Asian equivalent of "Eureka!" and within several days have rigged up a crude two-wheeled cart that can be pulled by a horse.You have just produced a(n)_______________.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a secondary innovation, as it builds upon existing technology (the horse and the concept of wheeled toys) to create a new invention (the two-wheeled cart).

Question 20

The spread of cultural elements from one culture to another is called _______________.

Accepted Answer

The correct term for the spread of cultural elements from one culture to another is diffusion. Cold fusion is a scientific term referring to a nuclear reaction, transfusion is the transfer of blood or other fluids from one person to another, innovation refers to the introduction of something new or different, and confusion is a state of being uncertain or unclear.

Quiz 15: Processes of Change