Question 1

That part of the discipline of anthropology that debates issues of human nature that relate directly to the decisions of daily life and making a living is called

Accepted Answer

Economic anthropology focuses on how human societies provide for their material and economic needs, including the study of production, distribution, and consumption of resources, which directly relates to decisions of daily life and making a living.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of the theoretical camps in economic anthropology that make different assumptions about human nature?

Accepted Answer

The other-directed model is not recognized as one of the theoretical camps in economic anthropology that make different assumptions about human nature. The recognized models typically include the self-interested or individualistic model, the social model, and the moral model, which focus on different aspects of human behavior in economic transactions.

Question 3

Which model of human nature originated during the Enlightenment and assumes that economic analysis should focus on individuals who maximize their utility under conditions of scarcity?

Accepted Answer

The self-interested model, originating during the Enlightenment, posits that individuals act primarily out of self-interest, seeking to maximize their utility or satisfaction in situations of limited resources. This concept is foundational to classical and neoclassical economic theories, emphasizing rational choice and individual decision-making.

Question 4

Which model of human nature assumes that people ordinarily identify with the groups to which they belong and, in many cases, cannot even conceive of having a self with interests that diverge from the interests of the group?

Accepted Answer

The social model of human nature posits that individuals often see themselves as integral parts of the groups they belong to, to the extent that their personal identity and interests are deeply intertwined with the group's interests. This model emphasizes the importance of social connections and the influence of the group on the individual's sense of self and decision-making.

Question 5

Which model of human nature assumes that people's motivations are shaped by culturally specific belief systems and values and that they will experience distress and conflict if tempted to make decisions that are contrary to those values?

Accepted Answer

The moral model of human nature posits that individuals' motivations and decisions are deeply influenced by their cultural beliefs and moral values. When faced with choices that conflict with these internalized values, people are likely to experience distress and conflict, as the model suggests that adherence to these values is central to one's sense of self and moral integrity.

Question 6

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the position held by Wilk and Cliggett concerning the three models of human nature they discuss?

Accepted Answer

Wilk and Cliggett argue for a nuanced understanding of human nature, suggesting that people's motivations can vary depending on the situation. They do not commit to a single model of human nature as definitive, recognizing instead that individuals may be guided by different motivations at different times.

Question 7

Which model of human nature suggests that economics should focus on institutions?

Accepted Answer

The social model of human nature suggests that economics should focus on institutions, as it emphasizes the role of social structures and institutions in shaping human behavior and economic outcomes.

Question 8

For more than 90 percent of human history, our ancestors lived by

Accepted Answer

For more than 90 percent of human history, our ancestors lived by foraging, which is the practice of hunting and gathering wild plants and animals for food. This lifestyle persisted until the development of agriculture and animal domestication, which began around 10,000 years ago.

Question 9

Subsistence is the term often used to refer to the

Accepted Answer

Subsistence refers to the means by which individuals or groups satisfy their most basic material survival needs, especially through their own efforts. This includes obtaining food, water, and shelter necessary for survival.

Question 10

According to the text, the division between food collectors and food producers illustrates a distinction between different kinds of

Accepted Answer

The division between food collectors and food producers is a distinction between different kinds of subsistence strategies, as these terms refer to the methods by which societies obtain food to survive.

Question 11

The agricultural technique in which a plot of land is burned, cultivated, and then allowed to lie fallow for several years is called

Accepted Answer

Extensive agriculture involves using a large amount of land with minimal labor and inputs. The technique described, where land is burned, cultivated, and then left fallow, is a form of extensive agriculture known as slash-and-burn or shifting cultivation. This method is used to clear forested land for temporary agriculture.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a phase of economic activity?

Accepted Answer

Preparation is not typically classified as a distinct phase of economic activity. The recognized phases include consumption, distribution, and production, which are fundamental to economic systems.

Question 13

Which of the following describes the way European feudal societies handled distribution?

Accepted Answer

In European feudal societies, goods and services were distributed based on one's status within the social hierarchy. Nobles and lords had access to more resources and goods, while peasants and serfs had much less, reflecting their lower status.

Question 14

Neoclassical economic theory is based on which of the following assumptions?

Accepted Answer

Neoclassical economic theory is based on the assumptions that markets determine production and consumption levels, prices are set by supply and demand, and that people act rationally, making decisions to maximize their utility.

Question 15

Capitalist economic relations were considered "free" because

Accepted Answer

Capitalist economic relations were considered "free" because they allowed for economic transactions to be determined by market forces rather than by one's social status or class. This meant that theoretically, anyone could access goods and services based on their ability to pay, rather than being restricted by their birth or social position, as was often the case under feudalism.

Question 16

The substantivist Marshall Sahlins, influenced by Karl Polanyi, suggested three modes of exchange that could be identified historically and cross-culturally. These are

Accepted Answer

Sahlins, drawing on Polanyi's work, identified three primary modes of economic exchange that societies have historically used: reciprocity (exchange between individuals based on social ties), redistribution (collection and distribution of goods by a central authority), and market exchange (buying and selling of goods and services).

Question 17

In many small-town cafes in Minnesota (and elsewhere, we are sure) there is a dice cup on each table, used by the morning-coffee regulars to see who pays for the coffee each day. This works because the regulars assume that "it'll all even out eventually." Another phrase for this is

Accepted Answer

Generalized reciprocity refers to the practice of giving without expecting anything immediate or specific in return, under the assumption that these things balance out over time. This concept applies to the situation described, where individuals take turns paying for coffee without keeping precise track of who pays when, expecting that it will even out in the long run.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of redistribution?

Accepted Answer

All the options listed are examples of redistribution. Potlatch is a ceremonial feast among indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada and the United States, involving the giving of gifts and thus redistributing wealth. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States collects taxes and redistributes funds through government spending on public services. The Salvation Army is a charitable organization that redistributes donations to those in need.

Question 19

The most ancient mode of exchange was

Accepted Answer

Reciprocity is considered the most ancient mode of exchange, where goods and services were exchanged between people without the use of money, often based on mutual relationships and obligations.

Question 20

Anthropologists distinguish three forms of reciprocity. They are

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists identify three forms of reciprocity as balanced, generalized, and negative. Balanced reciprocity involves a direct exchange of goods or services of equivalent value. Generalized reciprocity is characterized by giving without the expectation of an immediate return, often seen within close relationships. Negative reciprocity involves attempting to get something for as little as possible, often without a direct relationship between the parties involved.

Quiz 9: How Do People Make a Living