Question 1

According to the textbook, microcultures can be formed on the basis of __________.

Accepted Answer

According to the textbook, microcultures can be formed on the basis of all the choices given including age, class, race, and gender.

Question 2

A major theoretical debate exists in cultural anthropology today between __________.

Accepted Answer

The major theoretical debate in cultural anthropology today exists between cultural materialists and interpretivist anthropologists. Cultural materialists argue that material factors like technology and economy are the primary drivers of cultural change, while interpretivists focus on the subjective meanings and interpretations that individuals and communities attach to their experiences and practices.

Question 3

Anthropology is usually divided into four fields, but some people claim that a fifth, known as __________, should be included.

Accepted Answer

Applied anthropology is often considered the fifth field of anthropology, focusing on the practical application of anthropological methods and insights to solve real-world problems.

Question 4

People who have a longstanding connection with their home territory predating colonialism are referred to as __________.

Accepted Answer

The term "indigenous people" refers to those who have a longstanding connection with their home territory predating colonialism. This includes groups such as Native Americans, Maori, and many others who have maintained cultural and linguistic traditions that predate the arrival of foreign powers in their lands. Option A refers to people who share a common cultural heritage or identity, while B refers to a grouping of people based on physical characteristics. C is a vague term that could refer to any group with local ties, and D is not a commonly used term in this context.

Question 5

The cultural materialist perspective uses a three-level model of culture that includes __________.

Accepted Answer

The cultural materialist perspective uses a three-level model of culture that includes infrastructure (the material and economic conditions that enable a society to function), structure (the social organization and relationships within a society), and superstructure (the cultural beliefs, values, and ideologies of a society).

Question 6

The increased spread of international ties and spread of Western capitalism worldwide is referred to as __________.

Accepted Answer

The increased spread of international ties and Western capitalism is widely referred to as globalization. The term refers to the interconnectedness of the world's economies and cultures, resulting from the surge of international trade, investment, and movement of people.

Question 7

Among Tejano immigrants in the United States, making tamales symbolizes __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Among Tejano immigrants in the United States,...

Question 8

A recent mental health disorder in Japan related to sleep is __________.

Accepted Answer

Falling asleep during the day, also known as "inemuri," is a common phenomenon in Japan, often linked to overwork and stress, reflecting a cultural acceptance of napping in public or at work.

Question 9

The Garbage Project has practical relevance because it provides information on __________.

Accepted Answer

The Garbage Project provides information on recent consumption patterns, which has practical relevance for understanding modern waste management and reducing waste. The other options are not directly related to the focus of the Garbage Project.

Question 10

Archaeologists use which of the following as research materials?

Accepted Answer

Archaeologists use a variety of materials as research materials, including pieces of old pottery, prehistoric stone tools, remains of ruined houses, and even contemporary garbage heaps. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Question 11

Paul Farmer has done most of his work in __________.

Accepted Answer

Paul Farmer has primarily done his work in Haiti, where he co-founded Partners In Health and has focused on providing healthcare to marginalized communities. While he has also done work in other countries such as Peru and Rwanda, Haiti remains his main area of focus.

Question 12

A cultural relativist would view contemporary Nacirema culture as __________.

Accepted Answer

A cultural relativist believes that every culture is unique and should be viewed without any ethnocentrism or pre-existing biases. Therefore, they would view contemporary Nacirema culture as just as interesting and worthy of study as any other culture.

Question 13

Culture __________.

Accepted Answer

Culture is a complex phenomenon that cannot be accurately described by any of the provided statements. It is not correct to say it is more developed in one region compared to another, as cultural development is not a linear or universally measurable process. Culture did not first emerge 10,000 years ago; it has been a part of human societies for much longer, evolving with human groups over time. It is not predominantly transferred through genes, as it is largely learned and shared through social interactions. While globalization affects cultures, saying it is being destroyed by globalization oversimplifies the impacts, which can include both negative and positive elements such as cultural exchange and revitalization.

Question 14

The cultural materialist interpretation of the Hindu belief in sacred cows points to __________.

Accepted Answer

Cultural materialism is a theoretical framework that places emphasis on the economic and environmental factors that influence cultural practices and beliefs. In the case of Hinduism and the sacred cows, the belief in their sacredness can be explained by their economic and environmental value, as cows provide milk, dung for fuel and fertilizer, and were used as draft animals. Therefore, choice C, their economic and environmental value, is the most relevant interpretation from a cultural materialist perspective.

Question 15

The functionalist approach says that __________.

Accepted Answer

Functionalism views culture as a system of interrelated parts, much like a biological organism with different parts functioning together for the maintenance of the whole. Therefore, the best choice is E. A is incorrect because powerful structures are seen as shaping culture in the conflict theory approach, not functionalism. B is incorrect because cross-cultural comparisons are an important aspect of cultural anthropology in all approaches. C is too narrow, as functionalism does not limit cultural analysis to just economic activities. D is incorrect because functionalism does not view cultures as evolving from primitive to more advanced versions.

Question 16

The San people of Southern Africa __________.

Accepted Answer

The San people collaborated with advocacy groups to secure a share of the profits from the commercialization of hoodia, which is used in diet pills.

Question 17

The field of anthropology that studies human language and communication is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Linguistic anthropology specifically focuses on the study of human language and communication, including the origins, evolution, and variations of languages across different societies and cultures.

Question 18

Linguistic anthropologists study __________.

Accepted Answer

Linguistic anthropologists study all of the above, including the structure, grammar, and sound systems of contemporary languages, nonverbal communication, how languages change over time, and how languages are related.

Question 19

San peoples of Southern Africa fought a long legal battle to gain profits from __________.

Accepted Answer

The San peoples fought a long legal battle to gain profits from the use of their traditional knowledge related to the appetite-suppressing properties of the Hoodia plant, which was developed into a new diet pill.

Question 20

Biological anthropologists focus on __________.

Accepted Answer

Biological anthropologists focus on the study of human evolution and contemporary human variation, including genetics, primatology, and the fossil record. They study how humans evolved biologically and how different populations have adapted to their environments.

Quiz 1: Anthropology and the Study of Culture