Question 1

How are cultures an adaptive system? Explain this concept.

Accepted Answer

Cultures are an adaptive system because they constantly evolve and change in response to external and internal pressures. Just like any other adaptive system in nature, cultures must be able to adjust to new environments, challenges, and opportunities in order to survive and thrive. This concept is known as cultural adaptation.

Cultural adaptation occurs through a variety of mechanisms, including the transmission of knowledge and traditions from one generation to the next, the incorporation of new ideas and technologies, and the development of new social norms and practices. These adaptations allow cultures to maintain their identity and values while also responding to changing circumstances.

One example of cultural adaptation is the way in which different societies have developed unique ways of farming and food production based on their local environment and resources. This adaptation allows them to sustain themselves and thrive in their specific ecological niche.

Overall, cultures are an adaptive system because they are constantly changing and evolving in response to the world around them. This ability to adapt is crucial for the survival and success of any culture, and it is what allows them to endure and flourish over time.

Question 2

What aspects of American Indian culture diffused to Euro-American society? Use maize as a primary example.

Accepted Answer

Several aspects of American Indian culture have diffused to Euro-American society, including agricultural practices, language, and spirituality. One primary example of this diffusion is the adoption of maize, or corn, as a staple crop in Euro-American society.

Maize was originally cultivated by Native American tribes and played a crucial role in their diet and agricultural practices. When European settlers arrived in the Americas, they learned about the cultivation and consumption of maize from the indigenous peoples. This knowledge was then brought back to Europe, where maize quickly became a popular and widely cultivated crop.

The adoption of maize had a significant impact on Euro-American society, as it provided a reliable and abundant source of food. Maize cultivation also influenced agricultural practices and led to the development of new farming techniques. Additionally, the introduction of maize into European diets contributed to changes in culinary traditions and food preferences.

Furthermore, the diffusion of maize from American Indian culture to Euro-American society also demonstrates the exchange of knowledge and technology between different cultures. This exchange has had a lasting impact on global agriculture and food systems.

In conclusion, the diffusion of maize from American Indian culture to Euro-American society is just one example of how indigenous knowledge and practices have influenced and shaped the development of modern society. This exchange of cultural elements has enriched both American Indian and Euro-American cultures and continues to be an important aspect of our shared history.

Question 3

Besides the criminal act that it represents,why is ethnocide a deep concern for anthropologists and the worldwide community?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocide is a deep concern for anthropologists and the worldwide community because it represents the deliberate destruction of a particular culture or ethnic group. This not only results in the loss of unique traditions, languages, and knowledge systems, but also threatens the very existence of a group of people. Ethnocide can lead to the displacement of communities, loss of identity, and severe psychological and emotional trauma for those affected. Additionally, it can contribute to social and political instability, as well as human rights violations. From an anthropological perspective, ethnocide undermines the fundamental principles of cultural diversity and the right of all peoples to maintain their own cultural identities. It is a violation of human rights and poses a significant threat to the richness and diversity of the world's cultural heritage. Therefore, it is crucial for anthropologists and the global community to address and prevent ethnocide in order to protect the rights and well-being of all peoples.

Question 4

The most present threat to the Shuar people in the 1960s that precipitated cultural changes was:

Accepted Answer

A) disease. 
B) imminent land loss. 
C) gold mining. 
D) drop in corn prices. 
E) beginning of oil drilling on their lands. 
A) disease. 
B) imminent land loss. 
C) gold mining. 
D) drop in corn prices. 
E) beginning of oil drilling on their lands.

Question 5

In the 1960s,the children of many middle- and upper-class families,trying to come to terms with the disparity between the ideologies expressed by their parents (e.g. ,the importance of peace,equality,and individual freedom)and the reality of war,poverty,and individual constraints,tried to establish a more satisfying way of life.Many ran away from home to live in communes where they tried to abolish individual property and fulfill ideals of universal love.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A) revitalization. 
B) modernization. 
C) diffusion. 
D) innovation. 
E) syncretism. 
A) revitalization. 
B) modernization. 
C) diffusion. 
D) innovation. 
E) syncretism.

Question 6

Whose work on river management and resettlement policies in West Africa has opened the ability of applied anthropologists to contribute to decision-making regarding international development projects?

Accepted Answer

A) Carol Jenkins 
B) Margaret Mead 
C) Darrell Posey 
D) Rich Markins 
E) Michael Horowitz 
A) Carol Jenkins 
B) Margaret Mead 
C) Darrell Posey 
D) Rich Markins 
E) Michael Horowitz

Question 7

According to Stephen Jay Gould,"Wheels,like wings,fins,and brains,are exquisite devices for certain purposes,not signs of intrinsic superiority." Which of the following statements about the use of the wheel in the Middle East is correct?

Accepted Answer

A) Wheels were never appropriate vehicles in the Middle East and were never used there;camels have been used as beasts of burden since before Biblical times. 
B) Wheels have always been used in the Middle East,as they are the most appropriate vehicle for traveling across deserts and were first invented there. 
C) Wheels were once widespread in the Middle East,but by the 6th century A.D. ,had been replaced by camels because the Roman roads had deteriorated and the camel was more suitable to the uneven terrain. 
D) Camels were once widespread throughout the Middle East during Biblical times,but as civilization advanced,were replaced by vehicles that made use of the wheel. 
E) Wheels were never introduced to the Middle East until the modern era.However,they were the first to use trains and other forms of rapid transportation. 
A) Wheels were never appropriate vehicles in the Middle East and were never used there;camels have been used as beasts of burden since before Biblical times. 
B) Wheels have always been used in the Middle East,as they are the most appropriate vehicle for traveling across deserts and were first invented there. 
C) Wheels were once widespread in the Middle East,but by the 6th century A.D. ,had been replaced by camels because the Roman roads had deteriorated and the camel was more suitable to the uneven terrain. 
D) Camels were once widespread throughout the Middle East during Biblical times,but as civilization advanced,were replaced by vehicles that made use of the wheel. 
E) Wheels were never introduced to the Middle East until the modern era.However,they were the first to use trains and other forms of rapid transportation.

Question 8

Discuss and evaluate each of the mechanisms involved in cultural change.

Accepted Answer

Cultural change is a complex process tha

Question 9

How does the metric system represent diffusion?

Accepted Answer

The metric system, which is a decimal-ba

Question 10

In what ways can the rising tide of Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East and other areas of the world be seen as revitalization movements? Are there other terms from the chapter that could apply to this phenomenon? What might anthropologists contribute to our understanding of such movements?

Accepted Answer

The rising tide of Islamic fundamentalis

Question 11

What is the impact of globalization on processes of change?

Accepted Answer

Globalization has had a significant impa

Question 12

Under what circumstances would you expect a cargo cult to emerge?

Accepted Answer

A cargo cult is a type of religious prac

Question 13

The chance discovery of some new principle that can be applied in a variety of ways is called a(n):

Accepted Answer

A) primary innovation. 
B) primary syncretism. 
C) applied anthropology. 
D) cultural adaptation. 
E) secondary innovation. 
A) primary innovation. 
B) primary syncretism. 
C) applied anthropology. 
D) cultural adaptation. 
E) secondary innovation.

Question 14

Discuss why applied anthropology arose as a subdiscipline of anthropology.

Accepted Answer

Applied anthropology arose as a subdisci

Question 15

Brazil's indigenous peoples have shown that they are unable to resist and adapt to demands imposed upon them from outside.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

What is cultural loss? What role has cultural loss played between your generation and that of your parents and grandparents? Provide examples and discuss.

Accepted Answer

Cultural loss refers to the erosion or d

Question 17

In 1493,Christopher Columbus introduced Europe to the American plant:

Accepted Answer

A) potatoes. 
B) wheat. 
C) coffee. 
D) maize. 
E) tobacco. 
A) potatoes. 
B) wheat. 
C) coffee. 
D) maize. 
E) tobacco.

Question 18

One byproduct of colonial dealings with indigenous peoples has been the growth of__________________and the use of anthropological techniques and knowledge for certain "practical" ends.

Accepted Answer

A) applied anthropology 
B) ethnography 
C) ethnology 
D) quantitative anthropology 
E) qualitative anthropology 
A) applied anthropology 
B) ethnography 
C) ethnology 
D) quantitative anthropology 
E) qualitative anthropology

Question 19

All of the following statements about cultural change are correct except:

Accepted Answer

A) all cultures are capable of adapting to changing conditions. 
B) not all change is positive or adaptive. 
C) all cultures are equally well equipped for making adjustments in a timely way. 
D) sometimes the pace of culture change increases dramatically. 
E) elements of a culture may persist for long periods of time. 
A) all cultures are capable of adapting to changing conditions. 
B) not all change is positive or adaptive. 
C) all cultures are equally well equipped for making adjustments in a timely way. 
D) sometimes the pace of culture change increases dramatically. 
E) elements of a culture may persist for long periods of time.

Question 20

Cargo cults are sometimes seen as a somewhat isolated phenomenon that occurred in Melanesia following WWI.However,there are particular circumstances that caused these to emerge.What types of structural stress contributed to the development of this cultural phenomenon? Could you imagine something like this occurring in the U.S.today? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Cargo cults emerged in Melanesia followi

Exam 25: Processes of Cultural Change

How are cultures an adaptive system? Explain this concept.

What aspects of American Indian culture diffused to Euro-American society? Use maize as a primary example.

Besides the criminal act that it represents,why is ethnocide a deep concern for anthropologists and the worldwide community?

The most present threat to the Shuar people in the 1960s that precipitated cultural changes was:

Whose work on river management and resettlement policies in West Africa has opened the ability of applied anthropologists to contribute to decision-making regarding international development projects?

According to Stephen Jay Gould,"Wheels,like wings,fins,and brains,are exquisite devices for certain purposes,not signs of intrinsic superiority." Which of the following statements about the use of the wheel in the Middle East is correct?

Discuss and evaluate each of the mechanisms involved in cultural change.

How does the metric system represent diffusion?

In what ways can the rising tide of Islamic fundamentalism in the Middle East and other areas of the world be seen as revitalization movements? Are there other terms from the chapter that could apply to this phenomenon? What might anthropologists contribute to our understanding of such movements?

What is the impact of globalization on processes of change?

Under what circumstances would you expect a cargo cult to emerge?

The chance discovery of some new principle that can be applied in a variety of ways is called a(n):

Discuss why applied anthropology arose as a subdiscipline of anthropology.

Brazil's indigenous peoples have shown that they are unable to resist and adapt to demands imposed upon them from outside.

What is cultural loss? What role has cultural loss played between your generation and that of your parents and grandparents? Provide examples and discuss.

In 1493,Christopher Columbus introduced Europe to the American plant:

One byproduct of colonial dealings with indigenous peoples has been the growth of__________________and the use of anthropological techniques and knowledge for certain "practical" ends.

All of the following statements about cultural change are correct except:

The Essence of Anthropology

Biology, Genetics, and Evolution

Living Primates

Primate Behavior

Field Methods in Archaeology and Paleoanthropology

From First Primates to First Bipeds

Origins of the Genus Homo

The Global Expansion of Homo Sapiens and Their Technology

The Neolithic Revolution: the Domestication of Plants and Animals

The Emergence of Cities and States

Modern Human Diversity: Race and Racism

Human Adaptation to a Changing World

Characteristics of Culture

Ethnographic Research: Its History, Methods, and Theories

Language and Communication

Social Identity, Personality, and Gender

Patterns of Subsistence

Economic Systems

Sex, Marriage, and Family

Kinship and Descent

Grouping by Gender, Age, Common Interest, and Social Status

Politics, Power, War, and Peace

Spirituality, Religion, and Shamanism

The Arts

Global Challenges, Local Responses, and the Role of Anthropology

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