Question 1

Define the concept of holism and provide a cultural example.

Accepted Answer

Holism is the concept that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and that everything is interconnected and cannot be understood in isolation. This idea suggests that in order to fully understand something, we must consider all of its components and their interactions.

A cultural example of holism can be seen in traditional Chinese medicine. In this system, the body is viewed as a whole, and health is believed to be the result of a balance between the body's internal systems, the external environment, and the individual's lifestyle and emotions. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine consider all of these factors when diagnosing and treating a patient, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the body and its environment. This holistic approach to health and wellness is in contrast to the reductionist approach often seen in Western medicine, which tends to focus on treating specific symptoms or diseases without considering the broader context of the individual's life and environment.

Question 2

What does the theory of agency emphasize; provide an example.

Accepted Answer

The theory of agency, also known as agency theory or the principal-agent problem, emphasizes the relationship and conflicts between principals (owners or shareholders) and agents (managers or executives) in a corporation or any entity where one party is expected to act on behalf of another. The theory is grounded in economics and organizational studies and addresses issues that arise under conditions of partial and asymmetric information, where the agent has more information than the principal.

Agency theory suggests that there is a potential for conflict of interest between the principal and the agent because their goals may not align perfectly. Agents may have the opportunity to act in their own interests rather than in the best interests of the principals. This misalignment can lead to agency costs, which are expenses incurred to prevent agents from straying too far from the interests of the principals. These costs include monitoring expenses, bonding costs (where the agent provides a guarantee of good behavior), and the residual loss (the cost of any divergence from the principal's interest).

An example of agency theory in action is the relationship between shareholders of a public company (the principals) and the company's CEO (the agent). Shareholders want the CEO to make decisions that will increase the value of their shares, while the CEO might be more interested in making decisions that increase their personal wealth or job security, even if those decisions are not in the best interest of the shareholders. To align the CEO's interests with those of the shareholders, the company might offer the CEO performance-based incentives, such as stock options or bonuses tied to the company's financial performance. These incentives are designed to encourage the CEO to make decisions that will benefit the shareholders, thus mitigating the agency problem. However, if not carefully structured, these incentives can also lead to unintended consequences, such as excessive risk-taking or short-termism at the expense of long-term company health.

Question 3

What is applied anthropology and what are two examples of it?

Accepted Answer

Applied anthropology is the use of anthropological theories, methods, and insights to solve practical problems. It involves the application of anthropological knowledge and skills to address real-world issues in various fields such as public health, education, development, and business.

Two examples of applied anthropology include:

1. Medical Anthropology: Medical anthropologists study the cultural and social factors that influence health and illness. They work with healthcare providers and public health organizations to develop culturally sensitive interventions and programs to improve healthcare outcomes in diverse communities.

2. Forensic Anthropology: Forensic anthropologists apply their knowledge of human anatomy and skeletal biology to assist in the identification of human remains in legal and humanitarian contexts. They work with law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and international organizations to help solve criminal cases and provide closure for families of missing persons.

Question 4

Culture is best defined as the effects of biological heredity on human behavior.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Biological determinism is opposed to the perspective called cultural constructionism.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The functionalist approach says that __________.

Accepted Answer

A) powerful structures shape culture 
B) cross-cultural comparisons are not valid 
C) culture should be studied on the basis of how people make a living 
D) cultures evolve from primitive to more advanced, or civilized 
E) culture is like a biological organism with interacting parts 
A) powerful structures shape culture 
B) cross-cultural comparisons are not valid 
C) culture should be studied on the basis of how people make a living 
D) cultures evolve from primitive to more advanced, or civilized 
E) culture is like a biological organism with interacting parts

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A) internationalization 
B) capitalization 
C) interdependency 
D) holism 
E) globalization 
A) internationalization 
B) capitalization 
C) interdependency 
D) holism 
E) globalization

Question 8

__________ refers to the process by which one culture dominates another.

Accepted Answer

Cultural i

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

A) biological anthropology 
B) communication science 
C) linguistic anthropology 
D) applied anthropology 
E) audiovisual anthropology 
A) biological anthropology 
B) communication science 
C) linguistic anthropology 
D) applied anthropology 
E) audiovisual anthropology

Question 10

In India, widows wear black.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Basic natural functions-such as eating, drinking, sleeping, and eliminating-are done and thought about the same way everywhere, as opposed to cultural functions such as language.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

How has theory in cultural anthropology changed since the late nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

The theory in cultural anthropology has

Question 13

What is a microculture and what are some examples of important microcultures?

Accepted Answer

A microculture is a distinct subgroup wi

Question 14

Contrast cultural materialism with interpretivism in terms of their theoretical position, definition of culture, and methods.

Accepted Answer

Cultural materialism and interpretivism

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A) interpretivist anthropology 
B) functionalist anthropology 
C) theoretical anthropology 
D) applied anthropology 
E) cultural relativism 
A) interpretivist anthropology 
B) functionalist anthropology 
C) theoretical anthropology 
D) applied anthropology 
E) cultural relativism

Question 16

Malinowski's approach, known as __________, considers how particular parts of culture contribute to the operation of the whole.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Malinowski's approach, known as __________, considers how...

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

A) ethnic groups 
B) racial groups 
C) local groups 
D) lost people 
E) indigenous people 
A) ethnic groups 
B) racial groups 
C) local groups 
D) lost people 
E) indigenous people

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

A) diamond mines on their land 
B) the discovery of oil on their land 
C) a new diet pill 
D) all of the above 
E) none of the above: the San are completely demoralized and lack the means of fighting for any kind of rights 
A) diamond mines on their land 
B) the discovery of oil on their land 
C) a new diet pill 
D) all of the above 
E) none of the above: the San are completely demoralized and lack the means of fighting for any kind of rights

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

A) how rural areas differ from urban areas 
B) how long it has taken for garbage from prehistoric times to decompose 
C) recent consumption patterns 
D) how the poor of the world are creating the least garbage 
E) none of the above: the Garbage Project is a case of "pure research" and has no practical relevance 
A) how rural areas differ from urban areas 
B) how long it has taken for garbage from prehistoric times to decompose 
C) recent consumption patterns 
D) how the poor of the world are creating the least garbage 
E) none of the above: the Garbage Project is a case of "pure research" and has no practical relevance

Question 20

"Race", age, gender, and class are examples of a basis for __________ formation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Race", age, gender, and class are examples...

Define the concept of holism and provide a cultural example.

What does the theory of agency emphasize; provide an example.

What is applied anthropology and what are two examples of it?

Culture is best defined as the effects of biological heredity on human behavior.

Biological determinism is opposed to the perspective called cultural constructionism.

The functionalist approach says that __________.

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

__________ refers to the process by which one culture dominates another.

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

In India, widows wear black.

Basic natural functions-such as eating, drinking, sleeping, and eliminating-are done and thought about the same way everywhere, as opposed to cultural functions such as language.

How has theory in cultural anthropology changed since the late nineteenth century?

What is a microculture and what are some examples of important microcultures?

Contrast cultural materialism with interpretivism in terms of their theoretical position, definition of culture, and methods.

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

Malinowski's approach, known as __________, considers how particular parts of culture contribute to the operation of the whole.

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

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

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

"Race", age, gender, and class are examples of a basis for __________ formation.

The Evolution of Humanity and Culture

Researching Culture

Making a Living

Consumption and Exchange

Reproduction and Human Development

Health, Illness, and Healing

Kinship and Domestic Life

Social Groups and Social Stratification

Political and Legal Systems

Communication

Religion

Expressive Culture

People on the Move

People Defining Development

Filters

Exam 1: Anthropology and the Study of Culture

Define the concept of holism and provide a cultural example.

What does the theory of agency emphasize; provide an example.

What is applied anthropology and what are two examples of it?

Culture is best defined as the effects of biological heredity on human behavior.

Biological determinism is opposed to the perspective called cultural constructionism.

The functionalist approach says that __________.

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

__________ refers to the process by which one culture dominates another.

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

In India, widows wear black.

Basic natural functions-such as eating, drinking, sleeping, and eliminating-are done and thought about the same way everywhere, as opposed to cultural functions such as language.

How has theory in cultural anthropology changed since the late nineteenth century?

What is a microculture and what are some examples of important microcultures?

Contrast cultural materialism with interpretivism in terms of their theoretical position, definition of culture, and methods.

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

Malinowski's approach, known as __________, considers how particular parts of culture contribute to the operation of the whole.

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

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

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

"Race", age, gender, and class are examples of a basis for __________ formation.

The Evolution of Humanity and Culture

Researching Culture

Making a Living

Consumption and Exchange

Reproduction and Human Development

Health, Illness, and Healing

Kinship and Domestic Life

Social Groups and Social Stratification

Political and Legal Systems

Communication

Religion

Expressive Culture

People on the Move

People Defining Development

Filters