Question 1

Anthropologists use the Human Relations Area Files to __________.

Accepted Answer

The Human Relations Area Files (HRAF) is a database of cultural information about societies from around the world that allows anthropologists to compare cultural phenomena across societies. It is a tool used to facilitate cross-cultural research and to explore the diversity of human behavior and social organization. The HRAF does not provide census data about a field site, standard definitions of universal human behaviors, or information about other anthropologists working on similar research topics.

Question 2

When administering a questionnaire in a large society, an ethnographer generally __________.

Accepted Answer

In order to get accurate and representative results, it is important for the ethnographer to select a sample of individuals that is representative of the larger population. This involves careful consideration of factors such as demographic diversity and regional distribution. Choosing a few close informants or hiring graduate students may not provide a representative sample, and seeking help from local government census takers may not always be feasible or reliable.

Question 3

__________ remains a contested aspect of ethnographic research.

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

An anthropologist accused of "reifying" a culture would be one who __________.

Accepted Answer

To "reify" a culture means to present it as a fixed, homogeneous entity, rather than recognizing the diversity and complexities within it. Presenting a simplified portrayal of the culture as homogeneous would be an example of this. Revealing names of informants, adopting religious beliefs, and participating in a culture without recording observations are not necessarily related to reifying a culture.

Question 5

Which of the following is linked with the holistic perspective in anthropology?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Political systems with centralized bureaucratic institutions that establish power and authority over large populations in a specific territory are known as __________.

Accepted Answer

States are characterized by a centralized bureaucratic government that exercises power and authority over a defined territory with a large population. Bands, tribes, and chiefdoms have less complex and centralized political systems.

Question 7

What are the benefits and limitations of conducting cross-cultural research?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

You have just been awarded a grant of $100,000 to conduct research among the Tingunee of the lower Quebin river valley. The Tingunee have never been visited by other peoples nor is anything known about their culture. What might your goal be in this study? Formulate a general research design to study the culture of these people. What research strategies might you employ, what data might you collect, and what concerns might you have in doing this study?

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

Is there any difference between a newspaper reporter and an anthropologist reporting on his or her findings in another culture? Discuss the particular research methods anthropologists use as well as the ethical issues they consider.

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

A crucial difference between structured and unstructured interviews is that __________.

Accepted Answer

The crucial difference between structured and unstructured interviews is that structured interviews involve asking the same set of fixed questions to each participant, whereas unstructured interviews do not have a fixed set of questions, and the interviewer can ask follow-up or probing questions based on the participant's answers. Option A is incorrect because it describes structured interviews, not unstructured interviews. Option C and D are both incorrect as they are not relevant to the difference between structured and unstructured interviews.

Question 11

What theories have scholars offered for why different types of sociocultural complexity evolved in different regions of the world? Support your answer with specific examples.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

__________ is a particular asset for anthropologists conducting ethnographic fieldwork.

Accepted Answer

Speaking the local language allows anthropologists to communicate effectively with the people they are studying, which is crucial for building rapport, gaining trust, and obtaining accurate information.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true of cross-cultural studies?

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural studies allow anthropologists to compare and contrast behaviors across different cultures, which can lead to insights about what is culturally specific and what is universal. This can be useful for understanding how cultural differences shape human behavior and thought.

Question 14

Why is the term "tribe" problematic? What is the origin of the word and how has it been applied to describe people within and outside of anthropology? Write a well-supported argument for or against its continued use within anthropological circles today.

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using sociocultural evolutionary models and categories? How do contemporary sociocultural evolutionary models differ from those of the nineteenth century? Why do anthropologists continue to use categories such as bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and states?

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

Explain how anthropologists use multivariate or multidimensional approaches in their research. Why is this important? How does this approach illustrate the intersection of the ways anthropologists collect and analyze data? Illustrate your answer with specific examples.

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

What are the general characteristics of band societies? How are contemporary band societies different from those that existed during the Paleolithic?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

Describe the differences between chiefdoms and states. Elaborate on how anthropologists use these terms to refer to particular political and economic patterns. Support your answer with specific examples.

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

Which of the following is a potential drawback of using the HRAF?

Accepted Answer

A potential drawback of using the HRAF is that anthropologists in the past may not have provided the historical context for their observations, which could impact the accuracy and relevance of the information gathered.

Question 20

What was the Industrial Revolution? What circumstances led to its occurrence? Describe the effects it has had on today's world, particularly with respect to cultural interaction and change.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 7: Analyzing Sociocultural Systems