Question 1

People in band societies are joined together primarily through kinship affiliations.

Accepted Answer

Band societies are characterized by small, mobile groups of people who are typically connected through family and kinship ties. These kinship associations play a central role in social organization, decision-making, and resource sharing within the group.

Question 2

Anthropologists use the word "chiefdom" to refer to any non-Western political entity led by a charismatic individual with high status.

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists use the term "chiefdom" to refer to a specific type of non-Western political organization that is based on inherited, hierarchical leadership and a complex system of social and economic relationships. It is not simply defined by the presence of a charismatic individual with high status.

Question 3

One weakness of cross-cultural studies is that ethnographic reporting across cultures may be inconsistent.

Accepted Answer

Ethnographic reporting may vary depending on the researcher's interpretation and understanding of the culture being studied, leading to inconsistencies in the data collected. Additionally, different research methods and approaches may also lead to inconsistent results.

Question 4

The general categories used by anthropologists to describe different political systems are hunter-gatherers, horticulturalists, agriculturalists, and industrialists.

Accepted Answer

The general categories used by anthropologists to describe different political systems are bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states, which correlate more with social organization and governance rather than economic systems like hunting and gathering, horticulture, agriculture, and industrialism.

Question 5

Ethnological research is used to investigate cross-cultural patterns and human universals.

Accepted Answer

Ethnological research is a method of studying and comparing different cultures and societies to identify commonalities and differences across human experiences. It seeks to understand the social, cultural, and economic systems that shape human behavior and beliefs. Therefore, it is used to investigate cross-cultural patterns and human universals.

Question 6

Some anthropologists argue that tribal groups emerged out of processes of subjugation and domination by complex state societies.

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists and historians have documented cases where tribal groups formed or redefined themselves in response to pressures, subjugation, and domination by more complex state societies, often as a means of social organization and resistance.

Question 7

Since there are no ethical guidelines in conducting cultural or anthropological research, the anthropologist is free to examine any topic and gain information in any manner he or she sees fit.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. There are ethical guidelines and codes of conduct in conducting cultural or anthropological research, such as the American Anthropological Association's Code of Ethics. It is important for anthropologists to respect the rights and privacy of the people they are studying and obtain informed consent before conducting research. Intentionally violating ethical principles can result in harm to the people being studied and damage the reputation of the field.

Question 8

The Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) contains ethnographic information concerning over 10,000 societies.

Accepted Answer

The Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) is a vast collection of ethnographic and archaeological data, but it does not contain information on over 10,000 societies. It includes information on several hundred cultures around the world, not thousands.

Question 9

The wealth differential among people in egalitarian societies is very small.

Accepted Answer

Egalitarian societies are characterized by a relatively equal distribution of resources, including wealth. Therefore, the wealth differential among people in such societies is typically small.

Question 10

Participant observation is the only method cultural anthropologists use to collect data.

Accepted Answer

While participant observation is a common method used by cultural anthropologists, it is not the only method. Other methods include interviews, surveys, archival research, and analysis of cultural artifacts.

Question 11

Cultural anthropologists use archival data to provide the historical context for the community or subjects they are studying.

Accepted Answer

Cultural anthropologists commonly use archival data such as historical documents, photographs, and recordings to gain insights into the cultural and social practices of the community or subjects they are studying. This helps to provide a historical context and a broader understanding of how the culture has evolved over time.

Question 12

Contemporary anthropologists use different types of sociocultural systems, such as bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states, to justify a unilineal view of cultural evolution.

Accepted Answer

Contemporary anthropologists generally do not use a unilineal view of cultural evolution and acknowledge that different societies can have different pathways of development. They also recognize that sociocultural systems can be fluid and overlapping, making it difficult to categorize societies into neat categories.

Question 13

A state has clearly defined territories.

Accepted Answer

A state is defined territory that has clear borders and boundaries. It is a defined geographical area governed by a sovereign government.

Question 14

Geographical and ecological circumstances played little role in the development of state level societies.

Accepted Answer

Geographical and ecological circumstances played a significant role in the development of state-level societies, such as access to water, fertile soil for agriculture, and natural resources for trade and wealth accumulation.

Question 15

Changes associated with the Industrial Revolution occurred during the eighteenth century in Europe.

Accepted Answer

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain during the late 18th century and spread to other parts of Europe and the world in the 19th century.

Question 16

Political leaders in band societies control economic resources and exercise far-reaching political power.

Accepted Answer

In band societies, political leaders (often lacking formal titles) do not control economic resources nor exercise far-reaching political power; instead, these societies are characterized by egalitarian social structures without centralized authority.

Question 17

Historically, the geographical range of chiefdoms has included the Hawaiian Islands; North, Central, and South America; and Europe.

Accepted Answer

Chiefdoms have been recorded in various regions across the world including Hawaii, Americas, and Europe.

Question 18

Foragers have practiced the same ways of life since Paleolithic times.

Accepted Answer

While some modern societies still rely on foraging as their primary means of subsistence, it is not accurate to say that all foragers have practiced the same ways of life since Paleolithic times. Foraging societies have evolved and adapted over time, and foragers have likely had different ways of life throughout history.

Question 19

Most anthropologists find the term "chiefdom" to be outdated and no longer useful for anthropological research.

Accepted Answer

While there may be some anthropologists who no longer use the term "chiefdom," it is still widely used in anthropological research to describe certain types of societies.

Question 20

If a researcher finds that two variables are correlated, this always means that one of the variables causes the other one.

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not imply causation. Just because two variables are correlated, it does not necessarily mean that one variable causes the other. There might be other factors or variables involved that could be causing both variables to move in the same direction.

Quiz 7: Analyzing Sociocultural Systems