Take This Anthropology Midterm Quiz

The correct answer is cultural, linguistics, archeology, and physical. These four sub-fields of anthropology encompass different aspects of human society and culture. Cultural anthropology focuses on studying the beliefs, customs, and practices of different societies. Linguistic anthropology examines language and its role in shaping culture. Archaeology involves the study of past human societies through artifacts and remains. Physical anthropology explores human evolution, genetics, and biological variations among different populations. These sub-fields together provide a comprehensive understanding of human societies and their development over time.

Cultural relativism refers to the opposite of ethnocentrism, where individuals are open-minded and understand cultural practices within a context that is different from their own. It means recognizing that different cultures have their own values, beliefs, and practices, and that these should be understood and respected without judgment or comparison to one's own culture. Cultural relativism promotes tolerance, empathy, and the appreciation of diversity, allowing individuals to view other cultures objectively and without bias.

Culture refers to the collective beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a society or a group of people. It encompasses everything that we think, believe, and do as members of a society. Culture shapes our identity, influences our behavior, and provides a framework for our interactions with others. It includes aspects such as language, religion, social norms, traditions, art, music, food, and more. Therefore, the statement that everything we think and do as members of a society is culture is accurate.

Language is a system of sounds or symbols that convey meaning to its users. It is a tool of communication used by individuals or communities to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Through language, people are able to understand and interpret the world around them, as well as interact and connect with others. It is a fundamental aspect of human culture and plays a crucial role in shaping our thoughts and behaviors.

Ethnocentrism refers to the practice of evaluating and judging other cultures based on the standards and values of one's own culture. It involves believing that one's own culture is superior to others, leading to a biased perspective and a lack of understanding and appreciation for different cultural practices and beliefs. Ethnocentrism can hinder cross-cultural communication and lead to misunderstandings and conflicts between different groups.

Holism is the study of the entirety of a culture, including its various components and their interrelationships. It involves understanding how different aspects of a culture, such as its social, economic, and political systems, are interconnected and influence each other. Since studying a culture holistically requires considering all its aspects, it is not possible for one person to possess all the knowledge and expertise needed to fully comprehend and analyze a culture in its entirety.

Cultural relativism refers to the belief that cultural norms and values should be understood and judged within the context of that particular culture, rather than being compared or evaluated based on one's own cultural standards. It emphasizes the importance of being open-minded and understanding different cultural perspectives without imposing one's own beliefs or values. Cultural relativism encourages individuals to approach cultural diversity with respect and tolerance, recognizing that there are multiple valid ways of living and understanding the world.

A dialect refers to regional or class variations of a language. It is a form of a language that is specific to a particular region or social group, and it includes variations in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and usage. Dialects can develop due to geographical isolation, cultural differences, or social factors. These variations may be subtle or significant, but they all contribute to the richness and diversity of language.

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures, so they may engage in various activities that are culturally relevant. This can include conducting fieldwork, observing and documenting cultural practices, interviewing individuals or communities, analyzing artifacts and historical records, participating in rituals or ceremonies, and collaborating with local communities to understand their traditions and beliefs. By immersing themselves in cultural contexts, anthropologists gain insights into the diversity and complexity of human behavior and social systems.

Franz Boas is considered the father of cultural anthropology because he revolutionized the field by emphasizing the importance of conducting fieldwork before formulating theories or theses. Boas believed that in order to truly understand a culture, anthropologists must immerse themselves in the community and observe their practices, customs, and beliefs firsthand. This approach challenged the prevailing notion at the time that theories should be developed first and then tested through fieldwork. Boas's emphasis on fieldwork as a basis for theory greatly influenced the development of cultural anthropology and set the foundation for future anthropological research.

Sociolinguistics is the study of how people communicate and interact with each other in social contexts. It focuses on the relationship between language and society, examining how language is influenced by social factors such as culture, class, gender, and ethnicity. By studying sociolinguistics, researchers gain insights into how language use varies across different communities and how it shapes individuals' identities and social interactions.

Economic anthropologists are experts who specialize in studying the production, distribution, and consumption systems within a society. They use ethnographic methods to gain insights into how economic activities are organized, how resources are allocated, and how individuals and communities interact with the economy. By examining economic practices and their cultural and social implications, economic anthropologists contribute to our understanding of the complex relationship between economics and society.

Ethnography refers to the in-depth study of a culture, which often requires a significant amount of time and effort. It involves immersing oneself in the culture being studied, observing and interacting with its members, and collecting data through various methods such as interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. Ethnographers aim to gain a deep understanding of the cultural beliefs, practices, values, and social dynamics of a particular group or community. Through ethnography, researchers can provide detailed descriptions and interpretations of the culture under investigation, shedding light on its complexities and nuances.

Syntax refers to the set of rules that govern the structure and arrangement of words and phrases in a language. It determines how words can be combined to form meaningful sentences and how sentences can be structured. Syntax is an essential aspect of any language as it allows for effective communication and understanding between speakers.

Culture shock is a form of psychological distress that can result in depression, overeating, and irritability. When individuals are exposed to a new culture that is significantly different from their own, they may experience feelings of disorientation, confusion, and anxiety. This can lead to a range of negative emotions and behaviors, including depression, overeating as a coping mechanism, and irritability due to the stress of adjusting to unfamiliar customs and norms. Culture shock is a common experience for individuals who travel or move to a new country or environment.

Redistribution refers to the process of taking the sum of goods from a society that are willingly given and redistributing them back to the donors by an authority. It involves the redistribution of wealth or resources in order to promote a more equal distribution among members of the society. This can be done through various means such as taxation, social welfare programs, or government intervention. The aim of redistribution is to address inequalities and ensure a fairer distribution of resources within a society.

Participant observation refers to the practice of immersing oneself in a cultural experience while observing and taking notes on what is happening around them. It is considered a good way to fully engage and understand a culture from an insider's perspective. However, one drawback is that the observer may still be seen as an outsider, which can impact the accuracy and depth of their observations.

Cultures change through diffusion, which refers to the spreading of one cultural trait to another. In the given example, baseball going international is an instance of diffusion, as the sport originated in one culture and has spread to other cultures around the world. Cultures also change through innovation, which involves the recombination of already existing items of a culture. The example of Ariel the Little Mermaid combing her hair with a fork illustrates innovation, as she is using an existing item (a fork) in a new and creative way.

Grammar is the systematic set of rules that govern the way sounds are combined in a language. It includes rules for word formation, sentence structure, and the proper use of punctuation and grammar. Grammar helps us communicate effectively and understand the meaning of words and sentences. It provides the framework for organizing and expressing our thoughts and ideas in a coherent and meaningful way. Without grammar, language would be chaotic and difficult to comprehend.

Tacit knowledge refers to the understanding and knowledge that is not explicitly expressed or articulated. It is the knowledge that is gained through experience and is often difficult to transfer to others. On the other hand, explicit knowledge is the knowledge that can be easily communicated and shared through language, symbols, or other forms of explicit representation. It can be codified, documented, and transferred more easily. In the given answer, "tacit" represents the understanding of a culture without explicitly naming it, while "explicit" represents the knowledge that can be named and communicated in our culture with rules.

In order to do fieldwork, an anthropologist needs both time and money. Time is necessary to spend a significant amount of time in the field, conducting research, observing and interacting with the community, and collecting data. Fieldwork often requires extended stays in remote locations, which can only be possible with sufficient time. Additionally, money is crucial to cover expenses such as travel, accommodation, food, and equipment. It is essential for funding the entire fieldwork process, ensuring that the anthropologist can carry out their research effectively and ethically.

Language does indeed influence culture, as seen through word frequencies in a language. By examining the words that are important to a particular culture, such as Americans having words for sex and money, we can understand the influence of language on culture. Additionally, language influences culture by bringing important aspects of a culture to the forefront. For example, in America, the use of baseball as a language brings important parts of American culture to the forefront.

Economic anthropologists are experts who analyze the production, distribution, and consumption systems within a society. They use ethnographic research methods to study how economic activities are structured and how they impact social relationships and cultural practices. By examining the economic behavior of different groups and societies, economic anthropologists gain insights into the ways in which economic systems are shaped by cultural beliefs, values, and practices.

Sociolinguistics is the study of how people communicate and interact with each other in social settings. It focuses on the way language is used and how it is influenced by various social factors such as culture, class, gender, and ethnicity. By examining the patterns and variations in language use, sociolinguistics helps us understand how language reflects and shapes social dynamics and identities.

The given answer, Cultural Evolutionism, aligns with E.B. Tyler's theory mentioned in the question. Tyler's theory proposed that societies progress through stages of savagery, barbarism, and civilization based on their level of technological advancement. This theory suggests that cultures evolve over time, with more advanced societies being considered more evolved or civilized. However, the question also includes a biased statement dismissing Tyler's theory as "complete crap" and criticizing him as an "armchair anthropologist."

The given answer suggests that the term "gender specification" refers to the societal expectations and roles assigned to individuals based on their gender. It implies that women are expected to gather and stay out of harm's way, as well as be close to children, as they are considered more important in the reproduction process. On the other hand, men are seen as less important in reproduction and may have different societal expectations placed upon them.

The correct answer includes three forms of distribution: reciprocal, redistribution, and market exchange. Reciprocal distribution refers to the exchange of goods and services between individuals or groups based on mutual trust and obligation. Redistribution involves the transfer of resources from a central authority to individuals or groups based on certain criteria, such as need or merit. Market exchange refers to the buying and selling of goods and services in a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. These three forms of distribution represent different ways in which resources are allocated and exchanged within a society or economy.

Ethnographic data collection refers to the process of gathering information and data about a particular culture or community through various methods such as ethnographic mapping, unbiased questioning, census-taking, kinship analysis, photography, and document analysis. These methods allow researchers to understand and document the social, cultural, and historical aspects of a specific group of people. By collecting and analyzing ethnographic data, researchers can gain insights into the practices, beliefs, and behaviors of a community, helping to inform further research, policy-making, and understanding of different cultures.

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Basic research is conducted purely for the sake of expanding knowledge and understanding in a particular field, without any immediate practical application. On the other hand, applied research focuses on solving specific problems or addressing practical issues by utilizing the knowledge gained from basic research. Therefore, basic research is more theoretical and exploratory in nature, while applied research is more practical and problem-solving oriented.

In small-scale societies, the unit of production is typically a cooperative, where individuals work together to produce goods or services. This is because small-scale societies often rely on communal efforts and shared resources. On the other hand, in industrial societies, the unit of production can vary. It can be a corporation, a factory, or even an individual entrepreneur. The industrial production system is characterized by a more diverse range of production units and a greater emphasis on specialization and division of labor.

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures, so they may engage in various activities that are culturally relevant. This can include conducting fieldwork, observing and documenting cultural practices, interviewing community members, analyzing artifacts and historical records, participating in rituals or ceremonies, and collaborating with local communities to understand their traditions and beliefs. By immersing themselves in different cultural contexts, anthropologists gain insights into the diversity of human experiences and contribute to the understanding of social and cultural dynamics.

Reciprocity refers to the act of giving to family without expecting anything in return. Balance reciprocity involves a larger obligation to give back within a specific time frame. Negative reciprocity, on the other hand, refers to a situation where someone is cheating the other party by obtaining goods or services unfairly.

The correct answer is a list of the five subsistence patterns practiced in the world. These patterns include Hunting and Gathering, which involves the collection of wild plants and the hunting of wild animals for food; Horticulture, which refers to small-scale farming that relies on simple tools and manual labor; Pastoralism, which involves the raising and herding of animals for food and other resources; Agriculture, which involves the cultivation of crops using advanced techniques and tools; and Industrialization, which refers to the use of machinery and technology in large-scale agricultural production.

Anthropologists study the cross-cultural examination of economic systems to understand how resources are allocated, produced, and exchanged. This involves analyzing how different societies distribute and use their resources, how they organize their production processes, and how they facilitate trade and exchange. By studying these aspects, anthropologists gain insights into the variations and similarities in economic systems across different cultures and societies, helping to understand the complexities of human economic behavior and the impact of cultural factors on economic practices.

The Postmodern take on anthropology involves viewing culture from its own perspective, rather than imposing external interpretations or judgments. This approach recognizes that culture is subjective and shaped by individual experiences, social constructs, and power dynamics. It emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural diversity and complexity, and challenges the notion of a single objective truth or universal understanding of culture. This perspective encourages anthropologists to engage with multiple voices and perspectives, and to critically examine their own biases and assumptions in the study of culture.

The five main types of non-verbal communication are hand gestures, eye contact, body posture, touching, and facial expressions. These forms of communication are important because they convey messages and emotions without the use of words. Hand gestures can indicate emphasis or provide additional information, while eye contact can convey interest or attentiveness. Body posture can communicate confidence or submission, and touching can express affection or comfort. Facial expressions are particularly powerful in conveying emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise. Overall, these non-verbal cues play a significant role in interpersonal communication and can greatly impact the effectiveness of a message.

The process of production in regard to economic anthropology refers to obtaining resources or raw materials and transforming them into usable goods or services. This includes activities such as extraction, cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution. The answer correctly states that production involves both obtaining the resources and making them usable, highlighting the dual aspects of this process in economic anthropology.