Question 1

Because societies are unique,each can be evaluated only according to its own standards and values.Which term refers to this point of view?

Accepted Answer

Cultural relativism refers to the point of view that a society should be evaluated based on its own cultural standards and values, rather than the standards and values of another culture. This means that each society is unique and should be judged in its own context, rather than compared to another society using a universal standard.

Question 2

A proposal to allow sharia law in Ontario was rejected.What was the main objection that led to its rejection?

Accepted Answer

One of the main objections to the proposal to allow sharia law in Ontario was that many women, including Muslim women, were concerned that it would undermine their rights to equality and fair treatment under the law. Critics argued that certain aspects of sharia law, particularly its regulations around divorce and child custody, could be used to discriminate against women. As a result, the proposal was rejected.

Question 3

Which of the following is typically associated with an interest in popular culture?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is typically associated...

Question 4

Goldschmidt suggests that it is possible to make judgments about which cultures are more successful than others.How does he suggest this can be done?

Accepted Answer

Goldschmidt suggests that the success of a culture can be judged by how well it satisfies people's physical and psychological needs. This includes factors such as food, shelter, safety, and social connections. By evaluating how successfully a culture provides for these basic human needs, one can determine its overall success. Option A is not a reliable indicator as fertile land may not be the only factor contributing to a culture's success, and it may not always be under the control of the culture itself. Option B may also not be a reliable indicator as lasting a long time does not necessarily mean a culture was successful throughout its existence. Option D may be subjective and culturally biased as what is considered immoral or acceptable may vary between cultures.

Question 5

According to anthropologists,which of the following can be in conflict with the ideal of cultural relativism?

Accepted Answer

The ideal of cultural relativism states that all cultures are equally valid and should be respected without judgment. However, there are instances where cultural practices violate human rights, such as female genital mutilation or child marriage. In these cases, the conflict is between the ideal of cultural relativism and the protection of universal human rights. Therefore, choice A is the best answer. Choices B, C, and D are not necessarily in conflict with cultural relativism as they all aim to maintain professionalism, objectivity and promote democratic values, respectively, without imposing an ethnocentric worldview.

Question 6

What custom does marriage require among the Kapauku Papuans of New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Among the Kapauku Papuans of New Guinea, the custom of marriage requires the groom to pay a bride price. This can be a significant amount of money or goods, and it is seen as compensation to the bride's family for the loss of their daughter's labor and the potential loss of her fertility. The bride's family may negotiate the price, and the groom and his family may be expected to contribute not just money or goods but also labor or services (such as helping to build a house or cultivate a garden) to demonstrate their ability to provide for their new family.

Question 7

Some people in Western cultures hope to eliminate practices such as polygyny in other cultures.If they took a course in cultural anthropology,they might realize that culture is an integrated and interrelated whole.What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Culture is interconnected and altering one aspect of it can have effects on other aspects of the culture. Eliminating practices like polygyny can have consequences for the social, economic, and political structures of a culture. Cultural anthropology emphasizes understanding cultures in their entirety and acknowledges the complexities and interrelationships of various cultural practices.

Question 8

What is the main reason for family stress among Pakistani families who have newly immigrated to Canada?

Accepted Answer

Joblessness and underemployment are the main reason for family stress among Pakistani families who have newly immigrated to Canada. In many cases, the skills and qualifications of Pakistani immigrants are not recognized in Canada, leading to difficulty finding secure work and financial stability. This can cause significant stress and strain on families, as they struggle to make ends meet and adjust to their new lives in a new country. While other factors, such as cultural clashes or lack of access to familiar foods, may also contribute to family stress, joblessness and underemployment are the primary concerns for many Pakistani immigrants.

Question 9

Which of the following problems would NOT be generated by extreme ethnocentrism?

Accepted Answer

Extreme ethnocentrism would not necessarily generate jealousy on the part of people who are not members of one's own society. Rather, extreme ethnocentrism would likely generate reluctance to question the customs and beliefs of one's own society, prejudice and racism, and potentially ethnic conflict.

Question 10

Why do anthropologists study Aztec human sacrifice?

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists study Aztec human sacrifice to understand the cultural and societal beliefs behind it, including how it reassured the people that their society was functioning properly. It is not solely about condemning it or arguing for its acceptability in certain circumstances. Comparing it to the death penalty in other countries is also not the primary focus of the study.

Question 11

What is the term for the process by which a society's shared values and beliefs are transmitted from one generation to the next?

Accepted Answer

Enculturation refers to the process by which a society's shared values and beliefs are transmitted from one generation to the next through socialization, education, and other forms of cultural learning. Adaptation refers to the process by which individuals and societies adjust to changing environments and circumstances. Pluralism refers to the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious groups within a society. Social education is a broader term that encompasses various forms of learning and socialization processes within a given society.

Question 12

From an anthropological perspective,how would the role that kindergarten plays in the lives of young children in Canada best be described?

Accepted Answer

Kindergarten serves as a form of socialization where children are introduced to the social norms, values, and beliefs of their culture. Through play and interactions with their peers and teachers, young children learn how to behave and navigate the world around them. This process is known as enculturation, and it is a key aspect of the anthropological study of socialization. Therefore, the role that kindergarten plays in the lives of young children in Canada can best be described as an enculturative force.

Question 13

What do anthropologists maintain is their mission when doing fieldwork?

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists maintain that their mission when doing fieldwork is to determine the reasons for certain behavior patterns in the culture being studied, as opposed to transforming or conforming to it or avoiding forming any opinions about it. They seek to understand the culture in its own right, on its own terms.

Question 14

According to the text,what finding did Statistics Canada report in 2004?

Accepted Answer

The text states that Statistics Canada reported in 2004 that "the average family income of recent immigrants was $54,000, 40% less than for Canadian-born families". This suggests that the family incomes of immigrants were considerably lower than for Canadian citizens. Choice B is not mentioned in the text. Choice C is also mentioned in the text, but it does not pertain to the finding reported by Statistics Canada in 2004. Choice D is not supported by the text.

Question 15

Among the Kapauku Papuans of New Guinea,attempts to eliminate warfare would affect the sex ratio and the practice of polygyny.This would in turn affect the economy,since women raise pigs,and the more wives a man has,the more pigs he has and the wealthier he is.What do these complex relationships tell us about culture?

Accepted Answer

The complex and interdependent relationships between warfare, sex ratio, polygyny, and the economy among the Kapauku Papuans of New Guinea suggest that their culture is highly integrated, with different aspects of their society influencing each other.

Question 16

What has recently been identified as an imposed factor that led to serious individual and cultural damage for First Nations people?

Accepted Answer

Residential schools were a government-sanctioned initiative to assimilate Indigenous children into European-Canadian culture, resulting in trauma and damage to individuals and entire Indigenous communities. The impact of residential schools has been widely acknowledged and is now recognized as a form of cultural genocide.

Question 17

What are you guilty of if you say,"My people's way of life is superior to your people's way of life"?

Accepted Answer

The statement is an example of ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture or way of life is superior to others. It does not necessarily involve race, but rather a sense of cultural superiority. Cultural relativism, on the other hand, is the perspective that all cultures are worthy of respect and understanding in their own right. Egocentrism refers to a self-centered perspective, while racism involves prejudice and discrimination based on race.

Question 18

What does all human behaviour originate in,according to anthropologist Leslie White?

Accepted Answer

According to anthropologist Leslie White, all human behavior originates in the use of symbols. This means that the use of language, art, and other symbolic means of communication are the foundation of human behavior and social organization. White's theory is often referred to as cultural materialism, which emphasizes the role of material conditions and cultural practices in shaping human behavior.

Question 19

What is the term used to refer to the descendants of French and Scottish voyageurs and First Nations women?

Accepted Answer

Métis is the term used to refer to the descendants of French and Scottish voyageurs and First Nations women. This community has a distinct culture and identity that developed out of their mixed heritage. The other options (A, C, D) do not accurately or exclusively describe this specific group.

Question 20

Which of the following conditions led to the practice of polygyny among the Kapauku Papuans of New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

The Kapauku Papuans of New Guinea practiced polygyny primarily due to a surplus of adult women in their society. This imbalance between the sexes made it feasible and socially acceptable for a man to have multiple wives.

Quiz 2: The Nature of Culture