Question 1

Which of the following statements regarding language is correct?
A)Nonhuman animals have the ability to symbolize their physical and metaphysical world.
B)Some nonhuman animals can create sounds representing symbols (morphemes).
C)Some nonhuman animals can construct sentences.
D)Syntax and grammar are unique to humans.

Accepted Answer

Syntax and grammar, which involve complex rules for sentence structure, are unique to human language and are not found in nonhuman animal communication systems.

Question 2

What are the three characteristics of human cultures that differentiate them from animal cultures?
A)Social groups,family,and language
B)Complexity,differentiation,and institutionalization
C)Communication,groups,and institutionalization
D)Language,groups,and social needs

Accepted Answer

Human cultures are distinguished from animal cultures through their complexity, differentiation, and institutionalization. These characteristics allow for a wide range of behaviors, social structures, and cultural norms that are more advanced and varied than those found in animal societies. Complexity refers to the multifaceted nature of human social and cultural systems. Differentiation means that within a culture, there are distinct roles, behaviors, and institutions. Institutionalization indicates the way in which social norms and patterns of behavior become established and standardized within a culture.

Question 3

Which of the following statements is true of animals?
A)All animals are solitary and do not live in groups.
B)In animal societies,there are no clear social networks and hierarchies.
C)Many animals communicate with each other.
D)Animals do not have the ability to invent and use tools.

Accepted Answer

Many animals have complex forms of communication that they use to interact with each other, whether for social cooperation or mating purposes. This communication can take many forms, including vocalizations, scents, gestures, and body language. While not all animals live in groups, those that do often have elaborate social networks and hierarchies that govern how they interact with each other. Additionally, some animals have been observed using tools to achieve specific goals, suggesting that they are capable of at least some degree of invention and innovation.

Question 4

Population density influences culture,whereas climate does not.

Accepted Answer

Climate can greatly impact the way people live, dress, eat and work, as well as their social and cultural practices. Different climates can also result in different natural resources which can shape cultural traditions and norms.

Question 5

In the context of society and culture,which of the following statements is true?
A)Society is a system of interrelationships among people.
B)Only humans are social and have societies.
C)Both culture and society refer to the meanings and information that are associated with social networks.
D)All human cultures assign similar or the same meanings to their social groups.

Accepted Answer

Society refers to the system of interrelationships among individuals in a community, while culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that characterize a group or society. Humans are not the only social species; many other animals form societies as well. Finally, different cultures assign different meanings and information to their social groups.

Question 6

_____ refers to the structure of relationships that exist among individuals.
A)Culture
B)Individualism
C)Collectivism
D)Society

Accepted Answer

The structure of relationships that exist among individuals refers to society. Culture refers to the beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group, individualism and collectivism refer to cultural orientations towards the self and the group respectively.

Question 7

In the context of psychology,which of the following is true of cross-cultural research?
A)It is topic-specific,and not a method.
B)It concludes that humans are inherently alike and what is true of one culture is always true of another culture.
C)Traditionally,it incorporated knowledge contrasting human cultures versus nonhuman animal cultures.
D)It involves participants of differing cultural backgrounds and allows for comparisons of findings across those cultures.

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural research involves participants of differing cultural backgrounds and allows for comparisons of findings across those cultures. This type of research is essential in understanding how culture influences behavior, emotions, and cognition. It helps researchers identify universal human behavior and cultural specifics. Therefore, option D is correct. Option A is incorrect because cross-cultural research is a method, not a topic. Option B is incorrect because cross-cultural research recognizes that different cultures have different values, beliefs, and behaviors. Therefore, what is true of one culture may not be true for another. Option C is incorrect because cross-cultural research focuses exclusively on human cultures and not nonhuman animal cultures.

Question 8

Unlike humans,nonhuman animals do not have social groups.

Accepted Answer

Nonhuman animals do have social groups. Examples include prides of lions, troops of monkeys and herds of elephants. Many species have complex social structures and exhibit social behaviors, such as grooming, communication and cooperation, within their groups.

Question 9

Cross-cultural research helps us _____.
A)demonstrate that there are no cultural differences in attributional styles among different human cultures
B)understand principles about human behaviors within a global perspective
C)establish that the relationship between culture and behaviors is a one-way street
D)exhibit the reactions of infants to music

Accepted Answer

Cross-cultural research allows us to study human behavior within a global perspective and understand how it varies across different cultures, highlighting universal principles and differences. The other options are incorrect as there are cultural differences in attributional styles, the relationship between culture and behavior is not a one-way street, and exhibiting reactions of infants to music is not the primary purpose of cross-cultural research.

Question 10

What distinguishes cultural psychology from mainstream psychology?
A)The topic of study
B)The interest in a narrow range of phenomena related to human behavior
C)Topic-specific cross-cultural research methods
D)The interest in understanding cultural influences on behavior

Accepted Answer

Cultural psychology is distinguished from mainstream psychology by its primary focus on studying how cultural factors influence human behavior, whereas mainstream psychology focuses on understanding individual behavior and psychological processes regardless of cultural context. Cultural psychology often employs specific cross-cultural research methods to investigate the influence of culture on behavior.

Question 11

A universal psychological process is one that is considered to be true for some people of some cultures.

Accepted Answer

A universal psychological process is considered to be true for all people across all cultures, not just some people of some cultures.

Question 12

_____ refers to knowledge about motivations concerning behaviors that are common among people in a group.
A)Shared intentionality
B)Self-concept
C)Hypercognition
D)Collective identity

Accepted Answer

Shared intentionality specifically refers to the knowledge about motivations and goals that are shared among individuals in a group. Self-concept refers to one's own individual understanding of themselves. Hypercognition refers to an exaggerated or heightened level of cognitive functioning. Collective identity refers to a shared sense of belonging or identification within a group.

Question 13

One of the most important thinking abilities that humans have unlike other animals is the ability to _____.
A)believe that other people are intentional agents
B)maintain social networks and hierarchies
C)communicate with each other
D)invent and use tools

Accepted Answer

The ability to believe that other people are intentional agents, meaning they have their own beliefs, desires, and intentions, is known as theory of mind. This cognitive ability allows humans to understand and navigate social interactions, make predictions about others' behavior, and form alliances or friendships. While other animals may communicate, use tools, and have social hierarchies, they do not demonstrate the same level of understanding about the minds of others.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is NOT true of animal culture?
A)Many animals are social;that is,they work and live in groups.
B)In animal societies,there are clear social networks and hierarchies.
C)Animals have the cognitive ability to share their intentions with others.
D)Many animals communicate with each other.

Accepted Answer

While animals do have ways of communicating with each other, they may not necessarily have the cognitive ability to share their intentions with others as this requires a level of self-awareness and introspection that may not be present in all animals. Therefore, statement C is not necessarily true of animal culture.

Question 15

_____ refers to the biological differences between men and women.
A)Personality
B)Race
C)Sex
D)Culture

Accepted Answer

Sex refers to the biological characteristics that distinguish males from females, such as reproductive organs, hormones, and chromosomes. Personality, race, and culture are not biological determinants of sex.

Question 16

Countries have their own unique sociocultural history,language,government,and economic base,all of which affect culture.

Accepted Answer

Countries with different sociocultural, linguistic, governmental, and economic backgrounds will have their own unique culture shaped by these factors.

Question 17

Morality is a uniquely human product that apparently turns on in humans around nine months of age.

Accepted Answer

Morality, as a concept involving understanding of right and wrong, is considered a human trait. Studies suggest that infants begin to show signs of moral reasoning around nine months, such as showing preference for helpful over unhelpful behaviors.

Question 18

In the context of culture,which of the following statements is true?
A)Groups are less efficient because they divide labor.
B)Morality,a uniquely human product,is present since the birth of a child.
C)Both humans and animals have the ability to continually build upon improvements.
D)Unlike humans,other animals cannot achieve a cumulative culture that ratchets up.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that humans are unique in their ability to have a cumulative culture, where knowledge, skills, and technologies are built upon and improved over time. Other animals do not have this capacity for accumulative cultural evolution.

Question 19

Human culture is a unique meaning and information system,shared by a group and transmitted across generations,that allows the group to meet basic needs of survival,pursue happiness and well-being,and derive meaning from life.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the definition of human culture.

Question 20

Which of the following statements is true of the ratchet effect?
A)It refers to the idea that humans continually improve on improvements,that they do not go backward or revert to a previous state.
B)It is a set of basic psychological skills and abilities that people can use to meet their needs.
C)It is a psychological process that is found to be applicable for humans only after the beginning of civilization.
D)It is the process of learning about and being indoctrinated into a culture.

Accepted Answer

The ratchet effect refers to the idea that progress is cumulative and irreversible. It suggests that humans continually improve upon previous improvements, rather than reverting to a previous state. This concept is applicable to all of human history, not just after the beginning of civilization, and it is not a set of skills or a process of indoctrination.

Quiz 1: An Introduction to Culture and Psychology

Which of the following statements regarding language is correct?

What are the three characteristics of human cultures that differentiate them from animal cultures?

Which of the following statements is true of animals?

Population density influences culture,whereas climate does not.

In the context of society and culture,which of the following statements is true?

_____ refers to the structure of relationships that exist among individuals.

In the context of psychology,which of the following is true of cross-cultural research?

Unlike humans,nonhuman animals do not have social groups.

Cross-cultural research helps us _____.

What distinguishes cultural psychology from mainstream psychology?

A universal psychological process is one that is considered to be true for some people of some cultures.

_____ refers to knowledge about motivations concerning behaviors that are common among people in a group.

One of the most important thinking abilities that humans have unlike other animals is the ability to _____.

Which of the following statements is NOT true of animal culture?

_____ refers to the biological differences between men and women.

Countries have their own unique sociocultural history,language,government,and economic base,all of which affect culture.

Morality is a uniquely human product that apparently turns on in humans around nine months of age.

In the context of culture,which of the following statements is true?

Human culture is a unique meaning and information system,shared by a group and transmitted across generations,that allows the group to meet basic needs of survival,pursue happiness and well-being,and derive meaning from life.

Which of the following statements is true of the ratchet effect?