Question 1

The spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such HIV/AIDS, is a global challenge. Some areas of the world are experiencing higher rates of STIs than others. What might be one of the reasons for these increases?

Accepted Answer

A)  The number of individuals being tested is going up. 
B)  The way individuals conceptualize what "having sex" means is different in different places. 
C)  There is an increase in laws that make it illegal to get tested for an STI. 
D)  There is a severe lack of funding for U.N. sexual education programs.

Question 2

Philosopher Michel Foucault describes sexuality as "an especially dense transfer point for relations of power." Discuss his claim. How does the private act of sex become a transfer point for power? What are the public channels in which we might expect to observe this process?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Philosopher Michel Foucault describes sexuality as "an...

Question 3

Why do contemporary anthropologists study sexuality?

Accepted Answer

A)  They study sexuality in order to provide a better understanding of the diverse expressions of sexuality worldwide. 
B)  They study sexuality in order to better understand the individuals they want to study. 
C)  Other researchers do not study sexuality due to the difficulty of watching people have sex. 
D)  It makes anthropologists better at studying other elements of human nature.

Question 4

In which ways does scientist and author Jared Diamond suggest that human sexuality is distinct from other mammals? Identify three ways in which humans differ from most other mammals, and discuss the possible implications of these distinctions as they intersect with other areas of interest for cultural anthropologists (e.g., kinship, gender, class, and religion).

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which ways does scientist and author...

Question 5

Which term describes people whose sexual attraction to others can include both sexes?

Accepted Answer

A)  bisexual 
B)  transgender 
C)  homosexual 
D)  Two-Spirits

Question 6

In Kano, Nigeria, Rudolf Gaudio found that men who have sex with other men use a special "code word" to describe themselves. What is that word?

Accepted Answer

A)  mati 
B)  'yan daudu 
C)  masu harka 
D)  machista

Question 7

Under the rules of machismo, the machista is considered what kind of person?

Accepted Answer

A)  a manly man 
B)  a cochon, or gay man 
C)  a type of sex worker 
D)  a weak man

Question 8

Emma Sulkowicz's story of being sexually assaulted on her college campus raises awareness about the growing debate on how what is defined on college campuses?

Accepted Answer

A)  consent 
B)  sexuality 
C)  homosexuality 
D)  gender roles

Question 9

Which of these best describes sexuality?

Accepted Answer

A)  desires, beliefs, and behaviors related to erotic physical contact and cultural ideas about these desires, beliefs, and behaviors 
B)  the biological predispositions that cause desires, beliefs, and behaviors related to erotic physical contact 
C)  cultural ideas that determine what kinds of physical desires and behaviors are considered normal 
D)  desires, beliefs, and behaviors related to erotic physical contact for pleasure rather than procreation

Question 10

The text notes that having a term to describe the sexual activities between opposite-sex persons (heterosexuality) is a fairly new concept in the United States. What led to the development of the term heterosexuality?

Accepted Answer

A)  Alfred Kinsey's finding that sexual behaviors could shift over the course of a lifetime 
B)  the greater cultural currency afforded to homosexuality 
C)  the shame that Victorians experienced when talking about sexual activity 
D)  Richard von Krafft-Ebing's book Psychopathia Sexualis, which looked at sexuality for pleasure rather than exclusively for procreation

Question 11

Cultural and governmental institutions define the age of consent, how marriage and divorce can be obtained, and reproductive rights such as abortion. In regulating these things, what are cultural and government institutions attempting to do?

Accepted Answer

A)  control family planning by using the full extent of legal government power 
B)  limit the negative influence of practicing "sex for fun" in mainstream culture 
C)  control sexuality by regulating who can do what with whom and when they can do it 
D)  limit the spread of disease by regulating acceptable sexual practices

Question 12

For the Victorians, masturbation was a form of self-abuse and seen as dangerous. Why was this particular sexual activity strongly condemned?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was known to be a vector for sexually transmitted infections. 
B)  Masturbation was considered a form of homosexuality. 
C)  Many people felt it was not actually pleasurable. 
D)  Sex was for procreation only and masturbation did not result in children.

Question 13

Discuss the influence of international campaigns for gay and lesbian rights on local practices using the case study of Nigeria as an example. Compare and contrast the sexual beliefs and practices of the masu harka and 'yan daudu with ideas about Western homosexuality. How does globalization affect ideas about sexual norms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the influence of international campaigns for...

Question 14

What is one result of the anti-gay rhetoric found in many countries, including the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  It makes it easy to "out" homosexuals worldwide in order to better manage HIV/AIDS. 
B)  It helps unify different religious groups. 
C)  It has led to an increase in the recognition of sexual diversity. 
D)  It provides opportunities for anthropological research.

Question 15

Define sexuality and, using a minimum of three examples from the text, describe the ways in which culture influences sexual beliefs and behaviors.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define sexuality and, using a minimum of...

Question 16

Human beings have a libido-a degree of sexual and erotic drive-that varies widely. Which term refers to individuals with no erotic interest in others?

Accepted Answer

A)  homosexuals 
B)  bisexuals 
C)  asexuals 
D)  heterosexuals

Question 17

Using historical and cross-cultural examples provided in the text, evaluate the anthropological approach to sexuality. What do historical and cross-cultural cases of sexuality tell us about sexual norms? Did you learn anything in this chapter about sexuality that you had previously taken for granted? If so, what did you learn? If not, provide an example of something discussed in the chapter that you think someone might be surprised to learn.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using historical and cross-cultural examples provided in...

Question 18

When discussing sexual behavior, biologist and zoologist Alfred Kinsey is quoted as saying, "The world is not to be divided into sheep and goats." To what would he likely have been referring when he said this?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sexual activity maintains a strict dichotomy between heterosexual and homosexual sex. 
B)  Sexual behavior may include sex between humans and other animals. 
C)  Sexual behavior and activity remains fixed over the course of a lifetime. 
D)  Sexual behavior is best understood as a continuum.

Exam 8: Sexuality

The spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , such HIV/AIDS, is a global challenge. Some areas of the world are experiencing higher rates of STIs than others. What might be one of the reasons for these increases?