Question 1

__________ is the transmission of cultural items or social practices from one group or society to another through such means as exploration, military endeavors, the media, tourism, and immigration.

Accepted Answer

Diffusion refers to the transmission of cultural items or social practices from one group or society to another through various means, such as exploration, military endeavors, the media, tourism, and immigration. Discovery refers to the identification or finding of something previously unknown, while functional reorganization is the restructuring of social institutions or practices to better fulfill their intended functions. Rediscovery refers to the process of rediscovering something that was previously known but had been forgotten or lost.

Question 2

The strongest mores are referred to as __________. They are so strong that their violation is considered to be extremely offensive and even unmentionable.

Accepted Answer

Taboos are the strongest mores, as their violation is considered to be extremely offensive and even unmentionable. They are deeply ingrained in a society's values and belief system and are often associated with religious or moral beliefs. Examples of taboos include incest, cannibalism, and desecration of graves.

Question 3

Most technological changes______________________________.

Accepted Answer

Most technological changes are modifications of existing technologies, rather than completely new technologies that significantly impact people's lives. This is because technological advancements usually build upon what already exists, rather than being completely revolutionary. Diffusion is also a factor in the adoption of technology, but it is not the primary factor in driving technological change. While some changes may emerge slowly, this is not true for the majority of technological advancements.

Question 4

Theft, assault, and drug dealing are all violations of __________.

Accepted Answer

Theft, assault, and drug dealing are all considered criminal acts and are therefore violations of criminal law. Informal law refers to unwritten rules and norms that govern behavior in a particular community, civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, and folkways are traditional customs and beliefs of a society.

Question 5

__________ is the process of learning about something previously unknown or unrecognized. __________ is the process of reshaping existing cultural items into a new form.

Accepted Answer

Discovery is the process of learning about something previously unknown or unrecognized, while invention is the process of creating something entirely new. The second part of the question refers to the process of taking existing cultural items and reshaping them into a new form, which is innovation. Therefore, the best choice is B) Discovery / Invention.

Question 6

Some nations, such as the United States, are referred to as __________, which means that they include people who are dissimilar in regard to social characteristics such as religion, income, or race/ethnicity.

Accepted Answer

The term "heterogeneous societies" describes nations that have a diverse population in terms of social characteristics like religion, income, or race/ethnicity.

Question 7

__________ refers to the wide range of cultural differences found between and within nations. It may be the result of natural or social circumstances.

Accepted Answer

Cultural diversity refers to the wide range of differences in customs, traditions, beliefs, and values found between and within nations. It is the result of various natural and social circumstances such as geography, history, language, religion, migration, and globalization. Cultural diversity recognizes and respects the unique and valuable contributions of different cultures to the world's heritage and promotes understanding, tolerance, and cooperation among people from different cultural backgrounds.

Question 8

A __________ is a category of people who share distinguishing attributes, beliefs, values, and/or norms that set them apart in some significant manner from the dominant culture.

Accepted Answer

A subculture is a group of people who share similar beliefs, values, and norms that differ from those of the dominant culture, but still exist within it. Contraculture and counterculture both imply a more oppositional stance to the dominant culture, while primary culture is not a commonly recognized term in sociology or anthropology.

Question 9

Some nations, such as Sweden, are referred to as __________, which means that they include people who share a common culture and who are typically from similar social, religious, political, and economic backgrounds.

Accepted Answer

Homogeneous societies are characterized by a high degree of similarity among their members in terms of culture, values, beliefs, and socioeconomic status. Sweden is often considered a homogeneous society due to the country's shared Scandinavian cultural roots, Lutheran religious tradition, and social welfare framework.

Question 10

In a six-square-block tract of downtown Boston, it is possible to purchase a bagel with cream cheese, dine on raw fish in a sushi bar, or grab a slice of pizza from a street vendor. This variety of food choices illustrates the process of __________.

Accepted Answer

Diffusion refers to the spread of cultural traits, such as food choices, from one society to another. The variety of food choices in downtown Boston likely reflects the diffusion of different cuisines and food traditions from various parts of the world.

Question 11

All parts of culture do not change at the same pace. Sociologist William Ogburn referred to this disparity as __________, which is the gap between the technical development of a society and the development of its moral and legal institutions.

Accepted Answer

Cultural lag refers to the fact that different parts of a culture change at different rates, resulting in some areas of society lagging behind others. This can be seen in the gap between technological advancements and the legal and moral institutions that govern their use. This lag can create tension and conflict within a society as certain groups struggle to adjust to new cultural practices and norms.

Question 12

A local business is named with a phrase from a popular song. The owner is sued for violating copyright. This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

This is a case of civil law as it involves a dispute between two parties regarding a private matter, such as infringement of copyright.

Question 13

Today, discovery most often results from __________. For example, the discovery of a polio vaccine virtually eliminated what was a major childhood disease.

Accepted Answer

Scientific research is the most common source of discovery. In the example given, the discovery of the polio vaccine was a result of extensive scientific research.

Question 14

When formal, standardized norms are enacted by legislatures and are enforced by formal sanctions, they are termed __________.

Accepted Answer

Laws are formal, standardized norms that are created and enforced by legislatures through formal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment. Mores are strong social norms that are considered essential to the functioning of society, but may not be formally enacted or enforced. Folkways are more casual social norms, such as manners or dress codes, that are not necessarily enforced by formal sanctions. Taboos are strong social norms that are considered extremely forbidden or prohibited, often associated with religious or cultural beliefs.

Question 15

Clay is a high-ranking executive of the Harley-Davidson Company. He is a member of the Free Wheelers, a motorcycle group. On the weekends, the Free Wheelers go camping and fishing and often sponsor community service programs. Clay would be considered a member of a(n) __________.

Accepted Answer

Clay is part of a subculture which is a group that shares some of the values, beliefs, and norms of the dominant culture but also has its own distinctive characteristics. The Free Wheelers have their own shared experiences and practices that differentiate them from the dominant culture, but they are not necessarily opposed to it like a counterculture or underground culture would be. They are also not necessarily a minority culture since they do not necessarily face systemic discrimination or marginalization based on their membership in the Free Wheelers.

Question 16

__________ is the process of learning about something previously unknown or unrecognized.

Accepted Answer

Discovery is the process of learning about something previously unknown or unrecognized, which can be a scientific breakthrough or a new cultural artifact. Invention refers to the creation of something new, while diffusion refers to the spread of ideas, practices, or objects from one culture to another. Cultural lag describes the time gap between changes in society and the adaptation of norms and values to those changes.

Question 17

The popularity of piñatas in China, Italy, Spain, Mexico, the United States, and other nations is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Piñatas are believed to have originated in China, but their popularity has spread to other nations through cultural diffusion, which is the process of the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another. Piñatas have been adapted and transformed in different cultures, but the basic concept and use of them have been diffused from their place of origin.

Question 18

In the month of December, many Jewish families celebrate Chanukah (the Festival of Light), during which special foods are served and families engage in ritual activity unique to their religious faith. In this context, members of the Jewish faith would represent a __________.

Accepted Answer

Jewish families celebrating Chanukah represent a subculture, which is a group that has distinct beliefs, behaviors, and customs that differ from the dominant culture. They are still a part of the larger society but have their own unique cultural practices.

Question 19

Which of these is the best example of the concept of cultural lag?

Accepted Answer

Cultural lag refers to the time it takes for society's norms and values to catch up with technological advancements. In this case, the lack of clear law governing the rights of parties involved in reproductive technology indicates that society's norms and values have not caught up with the advancements in reproductive technology. This is an example of cultural lag.

Question 20

Jeffery Dahmer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for this offense. He also practiced cannibalism on his victims. In this situation, the act of murder could be described as the violation of __________, while cannibalism could be described as the violation of a __________.

Accepted Answer

Murder is a violation of mores, which are strong norms that have moral significance in society. Cannibalism, on the other hand, is a violation of a taboo, which is a more extreme form of mores that are considered to be deeply ingrained cultural beliefs and practices that are not to be violated under any circumstances.

Quiz 2: Culture