Question 1

In an analytic definition of religion,the study of the organization and leadership of a religious system represents the:

Accepted Answer

The study of the organization and leadership of a religious system falls under the institutional dimension of religion. This dimension deals with the structure and governance of religious institutions, including their policies, hierarchy, and decision-making processes.

Question 2

The term supernatural refers to:

Accepted Answer

The term supernatural refers to things that are above the natural and not subject to the laws of nature. It is often used to describe phenomena that cannot be explained by science or rational thinking. This can include ghosts, demons, and other spiritual entities or powers that are thought to exist outside of the physical world.

Question 3

The concept of animatism refers to a belief:

Accepted Answer

Animatism refers to a belief in an impersonal supernatural power, rather than in spirit beings (A), the impossibility of proving the existence of a supernatural power (B), or the distinction between humans and animals (C).

Question 4

An important method of field study in anthropology is participant observation.

Accepted Answer

Participant observation is a widely used method of field study in anthropology, where the researcher immerses themselves in the culture or community they are studying and participates in their daily activities to gain a deeper understanding of their beliefs, behaviors, and practices.

Question 5

The operant definition of religion proposed in this textbook includes the following characteristics:

Accepted Answer

All of the above characteristics are included in the operant definition of religion proposed in the textbook. The belief in supernatural beings, a focus on the sacred supernatural, and the articulation of a worldview and moral code through narratives are all important aspects of religion.

Question 6

Ethnographic fieldwork among the Trobriand Islanders was carried out by:

Accepted Answer

Bronislaw Malinowski carried out the ethnographic fieldwork among the Trobriand Islanders. He spent several years living amongst them, learning their language and customs, and writing his famous ethnography, "Argonauts of the Western Pacific".

Question 7

A definition of religion that is concerned with the role that religion plays in a society is a(n):

Accepted Answer

A functional definition of religion focuses on the role that religion plays in a society, including its purpose and function within that society. This is in contrast to an essentialist definition, which focuses on the inherent qualities or beliefs of a particular religion, an analytic definition which seeks to break down the components of religion, or a psychosocial definition which looks at the ways that religion impacts individuals' psychological and social lives.

Question 8

A belief in spirit beings is termed:

Accepted Answer

A belief in spirit beings is the definition of animism. Animatism is the belief in an impersonal supernatural force, agnosticism is the belief that the existence of a higher power is unknown or unknowable, and anthropocentrism is the belief that humans are the most important beings in the universe.

Question 9

The approach to the study of religion that is concerned with the relationship between culture and personality and the connection between society and the individual is the:

Accepted Answer

The psychosocial approach specifically looks at how cultural norms and values shape the development of an individual's personality and how society impacts individual beliefs and practices related to religion. This approach highlights the relationship between culture and the individual.

Question 10

The interpretative approach,in which religion is described as a cluster of symbols that together make up a whole,was developed by:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The interpretative approach,in which religion is described...

Question 11

Who wrote,"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature"?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx wrote this quote in his book "A Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right.” Marx saw religion as an institution that helped to maintain social inequality by giving hope to the oppressed that they would have a better life in the afterlife instead of focusing on fixing their current situation.

Question 12

Which of the following anthropologists is most closely associated with the functionalist approach?

Accepted Answer

Bronislaw Malinowski is most closely associated with the functionalist approach in anthropology, which emphasizes the role of cultural practices in fulfilling the needs of individuals in a society.

Question 13

Some neuroscientists conclude that the brain is capable of creating religious experiences.Which of the following is evidence for this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

All of the options provided offer evidence for the conclusion that the brain is capable of creating religious experiences. Option A suggests that certain neurological conditions can trigger intense religious experiences, Option B suggests that brain trauma may contribute to the experience, and Option C suggests that changes in brain activity during deep meditation can alter our perception of space and time, indicating the ability of the brain to create these experiences. Taken together, these findings support the conclusion that religious experiences may be created by the brain.

Question 14

Defining terms so they are observable and measurable is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

Defining terms so they are observable and measurable is called an operant definition. This type of definition is commonly used in behavior analysis and psychology to define behaviors or responses that can be observed and measured objectively. Analytic definitions involve breaking down complex concepts into simpler parts, functional definitions describe how a term is used or its purpose, and anthropological definitions focus on cultural or social meanings of terms.

Question 15

Theory of mind refers to the idea that:

Accepted Answer

Theory of mind is the ability to attribute mental states, such as beliefs and desires, to oneself and others, and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one's own. It is the understanding that other people have thoughts and feelings that may be different from one's own. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Question 16

Late nineteenth century anthropologists who saw "primitive" societies as presenting an early stage in the development of religion were using the:

Accepted Answer

Late nineteenth century anthropologists who viewed "primitive" societies as an early stage in the development of religion were using the evolutionary approach, as they saw societies evolving from primitive to advanced stages over time. This approach was based on the idea that societies were on a linear path of progress towards modernity, and that contemporary societies were more evolved and superior to those that came before them.

Question 17

The term cognition refers to:

Accepted Answer

Cognition refers to conscious intellectual activities such as perception, reasoning, and feeling. It is a broad term that encompasses various mental processes.

Question 18

An agnostic:

Accepted Answer

An agnostic does not claim to know whether or not the supernatural exists, but rather believes that it is impossible to prove or disprove its existence. Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 19

There are many approaches to the study of religion in anthropology.One approach is to ask the question: What does religion do? What roles does religion play in human societies? This approach is referred to as the:

Accepted Answer

The functional approach in anthropology studies the role of religion in human societies and asks what religion does. It focuses on how religious beliefs and practices contribute to social cohesion, regulate behavior, and provide emotional support and meaning to individuals and groups.

Question 20

The study of religious art excavated from now extinct cultures is a part of the field of archaeology.

Accepted Answer

The study of religious art found in ancient cultures falls under the purview of archaeology, which is concerned with the material remains of past human societies. Religious art can provide insights into the belief systems and practices of ancient people, as well as the broader social and cultural contexts in which these beliefs and practices were embedded.

Quiz 1: The Anthropological Study of Religion