Question 1

A holistic and comparative perspective

Accepted Answer

A)  makes general anthropology superior to sociocultural anthropology. 
B)  refers only to the cultural aspects of human diversity that anthropologists study. 
C)  makes anthropology an interesting field of study, but too broad of one for any application to real problems people face today. 
D)  most characterizes anthropology, compared to other disciplines that study humans. 
E)  is the hallmark of all social sciences, not just anthropology. 
A)  makes general anthropology superior to sociocultural anthropology. 
B)  refers only to the cultural aspects of human diversity that anthropologists study. 
C)  makes anthropology an interesting field of study, but too broad of one for any application to real problems people face today. 
D)  most characterizes anthropology, compared to other disciplines that study humans. 
E)  is the hallmark of all social sciences, not just anthropology. D

Question 2

This chapter's description of how humans cope with low oxygen pressure in high altitudes illustrates

Accepted Answer

A)  human capacities for cultural and biological adaptation, the latter involving both genetic and physiological adaptations. 
B)  how biological adaptations are effective only when they are genetic. 
C)  how human plasticity has decreased ever since we embraced a sedentary lifestyle some 10,000 years ago. 
D)  how in matters of life or death, biology is ultimately more important than culture. 
E)  the need for anthropologists to pay more attention to human adaptation in extreme environments. 
A)  human capacities for cultural and biological adaptation, the latter involving both genetic and physiological adaptations. 
B)  how biological adaptations are effective only when they are genetic. 
C)  how human plasticity has decreased ever since we embraced a sedentary lifestyle some 10,000 years ago. 
D)  how in matters of life or death, biology is ultimately more important than culture. 
E)  the need for anthropologists to pay more attention to human adaptation in extreme environments. A

Question 3

Anthropology is a science, yet it has been suggested that anthropology is among the most humanistic of all academic fields. This is because

Accepted Answer

A)  its main object of study are humans. 
B)  of its fundamental respect for human diversity. 
C)  its findings are best expressed with the tools of the humanities. 
D)  the field, particularly in the United States, traces its origins to philosophy and literature. 
E)  it puts so much emphasis on the study of culture that cannot be studied scientifically. 
A)  its main object of study are humans. 
B)  of its fundamental respect for human diversity. 
C)  its findings are best expressed with the tools of the humanities. 
D)  the field, particularly in the United States, traces its origins to philosophy and literature. 
E)  it puts so much emphasis on the study of culture that cannot be studied scientifically. B

Question 4

Cultural anthropologists carry out their fieldwork in

Accepted Answer

A)  factories. 
B)  the tropics. 
C)  the third world. 
D)  former colonies. 
E)  all kinds of societies. 
A)  factories. 
B)  the tropics. 
C)  the third world. 
D)  former colonies. 
E)  all kinds of societies.

Question 5

Humans can adapt to their surroundings through both biological and cultural means.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which of the following perspectives emphasizes how cultural forces constantly mold human biology?

Accepted Answer

A)  cultural genetics perspective 
B)  biocultural perspective 
C)  psychological anthropological perspective 
D)  holistic perspective 
E)  scientific-humanistic perspective 
A)  cultural genetics perspective 
B)  biocultural perspective 
C)  psychological anthropological perspective 
D)  holistic perspective 
E)  scientific-humanistic perspective

Question 7

Anthropologists agree that a comparative, cross-cultural approach is unnecessary as long as researchers are diligent in their work.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Biological anthropologists study only human bones.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Anthropologists' early interest in Native North Americans

Accepted Answer

A)  is unique to European anthropology. 
B)  was more important than an interest in the relation between biology and culture in the development of U.S. four-field anthropology. 
C)  proved early on that culture is a function of race. 
D)  is an important historical reason for the development of four-field anthropology in the U.S. 
E)  was replaced in the 1930s by the two-field approach. 
A)  is unique to European anthropology. 
B)  was more important than an interest in the relation between biology and culture in the development of U.S. four-field anthropology. 
C)  proved early on that culture is a function of race. 
D)  is an important historical reason for the development of four-field anthropology in the U.S. 
E)  was replaced in the 1930s by the two-field approach.

Question 10

Ethnography involves the collection of data that is used to create an account of a particular community, society, or culture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

The differences between sociology and cultural anthropology are becoming increasingly more distinct.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Dr. Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro's career illustrates the usefulness of anthropology in addressing contemporary world problems. Her role as a mother to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, and his half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, also pays tribute to anthropology's relevance in the world today. How so? More generally, how do you think anthropology might be of value not just to political leaders but to all of us as active members in our society, when understanding and solving shared pressing challenges such as environmental degradation, poverty, and violence?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro's career

Question 13

What is one of the most fundamental key assumptions that anthropologists share?

Accepted Answer

A)  There are no universals, so cross-cultural research is bound to fail. 
B)  A degree in philosophy is the best way to produce good ethnography. 
C)  We can draw conclusions about human nature by studying a single society. 
D)  Anthropologists cannot agree on what anthropology is, much less share key assumptions. 
E)  A comparative, cross-cultural approach is essential to study the human condition. 
A)  There are no universals, so cross-cultural research is bound to fail. 
B)  A degree in philosophy is the best way to produce good ethnography. 
C)  We can draw conclusions about human nature by studying a single society. 
D)  Anthropologists cannot agree on what anthropology is, much less share key assumptions. 
E)  A comparative, cross-cultural approach is essential to study the human condition.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT true about culture?

Accepted Answer

A)  Culture is a key aspect of human adaptability and success. 
B)  Culture is passed on genetically to future generations. 
C)  Cultural forces consistently mold and shape human biology and behavior. 
D)  Culture guides the beliefs and behavior of the people exposed to it. 
E)  Culture is passed on from generation to generation. 
A)  Culture is a key aspect of human adaptability and success. 
B)  Culture is passed on genetically to future generations. 
C)  Cultural forces consistently mold and shape human biology and behavior. 
D)  Culture guides the beliefs and behavior of the people exposed to it. 
E)  Culture is passed on from generation to generation.

Question 15

Ethnography is the

Accepted Answer

A)  study of biological adaptability. 
B)  preliminary data that sociologists use to develop survey research. 
C)  fieldwork component of cultural anthropology. 
D)  cross-cultural comparative component of cultural anthropology. 
E)  generalizing aspect of cultural anthropology. 
A)  study of biological adaptability. 
B)  preliminary data that sociologists use to develop survey research. 
C)  fieldwork component of cultural anthropology. 
D)  cross-cultural comparative component of cultural anthropology. 
E)  generalizing aspect of cultural anthropology.

Question 16

In general, Americans tend to maintain a greater physical distance from others they interact with on a day-to-day basis, especially when compared to Brazilians or Italians, who need less personal space. However, the story of American students' attitudes toward hugging in "Give Me a Hug" reminds us that

Accepted Answer

A)  any nation usually contains diverse and even conflicting cultural values, and these cultural values are not static. 
B)  the key reason for the poor track-record of U.S. diplomacy begins with failures in the American school system. 
C)  some aspects of culture are more biologically determined than others. 
D)  cultural values regarding bodily touch and personal space are very difficult to change from one generation to another. 
E)  homosexuality is becoming more prevalent, and more accepted, among teenagers. 
A)  any nation usually contains diverse and even conflicting cultural values, and these cultural values are not static. 
B)  the key reason for the poor track-record of U.S. diplomacy begins with failures in the American school system. 
C)  some aspects of culture are more biologically determined than others. 
D)  cultural values regarding bodily touch and personal space are very difficult to change from one generation to another. 
E)  homosexuality is becoming more prevalent, and more accepted, among teenagers.

Question 17

What is the process by which children learn a particular cultural tradition?

Accepted Answer

A)  acculturation 
B)  ethnology 
C)  enculturation 
D)  ethnography 
E)  biological adaptation 
A)  acculturation 
B)  ethnology 
C)  enculturation 
D)  ethnography 
E)  biological adaptation

Question 18

The study of television's behavioral effects in Brazil illustrates all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  how investigators must carefully choose between a qualitative or quantitative data model. 
B)  how the scientific method is not limited to ethnology but applies to any anthropological endeavor that formulates research questions and gathers or uses systematic data to test hypotheses. 
C)  the value of cross-cultural research, which in this case enables the researchers to distinguish the effects of years of TV exposure and other changes associated with aging. 
D)  how anthropological studies may deal with several research questions. 
E)  the challenges researchers often face when determining whether they are observing effects or correlations in their findings. 
A)  how investigators must carefully choose between a qualitative or quantitative data model. 
B)  how the scientific method is not limited to ethnology but applies to any anthropological endeavor that formulates research questions and gathers or uses systematic data to test hypotheses. 
C)  the value of cross-cultural research, which in this case enables the researchers to distinguish the effects of years of TV exposure and other changes associated with aging. 
D)  how anthropological studies may deal with several research questions. 
E)  the challenges researchers often face when determining whether they are observing effects or correlations in their findings.

Question 19

Today's global economy and communications link all contemporary people, directly or indirectly, in the modern world system. People must now cope with forces generated by progressively larger systems-the region, the nation, and the world. For anthropologists studying contemporary forms of adaptation, why might this be a challenge?

Accepted Answer

A)  Truly isolated indigenous communities, anthropology's traditional and ongoing study focus, are becoming harder to find. 
B)  According to Marcus and Fischer (1986), "The cultures of world peoples need to be constantly rediscovered as these people reinvent them in changing historical circumstances." 
C)  A more dynamic world system, with greater and faster movements of people across space, speeds up the process of evolution, making the study of genetic adaptations more difficult. 
D)  Anthropological research tools do not work in this new modern world system, making their contributions less valuable. 
E)  Since cultures are tied to place, people moving around and connecting across space means the end of culture, and thus the end of anthropology. 
A)  Truly isolated indigenous communities, anthropology's traditional and ongoing study focus, are becoming harder to find. 
B)  According to Marcus and Fischer (1986), "The cultures of world peoples need to be constantly rediscovered as these people reinvent them in changing historical circumstances." 
C)  A more dynamic world system, with greater and faster movements of people across space, speeds up the process of evolution, making the study of genetic adaptations more difficult. 
D)  Anthropological research tools do not work in this new modern world system, making their contributions less valuable. 
E)  Since cultures are tied to place, people moving around and connecting across space means the end of culture, and thus the end of anthropology.

Question 20

This chapter begins with a bold claim: Anthropologists study human beings wherever and whenever they find them. Yet there are limits to when and where anthropologists can carry out their work. Can you think of any? How might your consideration of these limits affect how you would design an anthropological study?

Accepted Answer

There are several limits to when and whe

A holistic and comparative perspective

This chapter's description of how humans cope with low oxygen pressure in high altitudes illustrates

Anthropology is a science, yet it has been suggested that anthropology is among the most humanistic of all academic fields. This is because

Cultural anthropologists carry out their fieldwork in

Humans can adapt to their surroundings through both biological and cultural means.

Which of the following perspectives emphasizes how cultural forces constantly mold human biology?

Anthropologists agree that a comparative, cross-cultural approach is unnecessary as long as researchers are diligent in their work.

Biological anthropologists study only human bones.

Anthropologists' early interest in Native North Americans

Ethnography involves the collection of data that is used to create an account of a particular community, society, or culture.

The differences between sociology and cultural anthropology are becoming increasingly more distinct.

What is one of the most fundamental key assumptions that anthropologists share?

Which of the following is NOT true about culture?

Ethnography is the

What is the process by which children learn a particular cultural tradition?

The study of television's behavioral effects in Brazil illustrates all of the following EXCEPT

Culture

Applying Anthropology

Doing Archaeology and Biological Anthropology

Evolution and Genetics

Human Variation and Adaptation

The Primates

Early Hominins

Archaic Homo

The Origin and Spread of Modern Humans

The First Farmers

The First Cities and States

Method and Theory in Cultural Anthropology

Language and Communication

Ethnicity and Race

Making a Living

Political Systems

Gender

Families, Kinship, and Descent

Marriage

Religion

Arts, Media, and Sports

The World System and Colonialism

Anthropologys Role in a Globalizing World

Filters

Exam 1: What Is Anthropology

A holistic and comparative perspective

This chapter's description of how humans cope with low oxygen pressure in high altitudes illustrates

Anthropology is a science, yet it has been suggested that anthropology is among the most humanistic of all academic fields. This is because

Cultural anthropologists carry out their fieldwork in

Humans can adapt to their surroundings through both biological and cultural means.

Which of the following perspectives emphasizes how cultural forces constantly mold human biology?

Anthropologists agree that a comparative, cross-cultural approach is unnecessary as long as researchers are diligent in their work.

Biological anthropologists study only human bones.

Anthropologists' early interest in Native North Americans

Ethnography involves the collection of data that is used to create an account of a particular community, society, or culture.

The differences between sociology and cultural anthropology are becoming increasingly more distinct.

What is one of the most fundamental key assumptions that anthropologists share?

Which of the following is NOT true about culture?

Ethnography is the

What is the process by which children learn a particular cultural tradition?

The study of television's behavioral effects in Brazil illustrates all of the following EXCEPT

Culture

Applying Anthropology

Doing Archaeology and Biological Anthropology

Evolution and Genetics

Human Variation and Adaptation

The Primates

Early Hominins

Archaic Homo

The Origin and Spread of Modern Humans

The First Farmers

The First Cities and States

Method and Theory in Cultural Anthropology

Language and Communication

Ethnicity and Race

Making a Living

Political Systems

Gender

Families, Kinship, and Descent

Marriage

Religion

Arts, Media, and Sports

The World System and Colonialism

Anthropologys Role in a Globalizing World

Filters