Question 1

What do we call the process that diminishes the diversity of the world's cultures as a result of foreign influences that inundate local practices, products, and ways of thinking?

Accepted Answer

Homogenization refers to the process of reducing diversity and creating uniformity, which is what happens when foreign influences inundate local practices, products, and ways of thinking. Cultural homogenization can be driven by various forces, including globalization and the spread of popular culture. It has been criticized for its impact on cultural diversity and the loss of unique cultural practices and identities.

Question 2

The export of television shows worldwide and the knowledge of other cultures that is subsequently disseminated to even remote areas of the world are examples of which of the following concepts?

Accepted Answer

The export of television shows worldwide and the knowledge of other cultures that is subsequently disseminated to even remote areas of the world are examples of cosmopolitanism, which refers to the idea of being free from local, provincial or national ideas, prejudices, or attachments and as being capable of relating to people and cultures from different countries and backgrounds.

Question 3

Cultures are influenced by many different factors, including a constant flow of ideas, goods, and people. What is one of the major ways that people influence culture?

Accepted Answer

Migration is one of the major ways in which people influence culture because when people move from one place to another, they bring with them their own beliefs, customs, and practices. Over time, the cultures of the new place may become influenced by these new ideas and practices, leading to the creation of hybrid cultures. For example, the culture of the United States has been heavily influenced by migration, with the arrival of different groups of people who brought with them their own cultural practices and beliefs.

Question 4

Using an interpretivist approach, anthropologist Clifford Geertz (1926-2006) argues that seemingly straightforward actions such as winking have deep cultural meanings. Describe what constitutes an interpretivist approach. Next, provide your own example of a cultural action that you think conveys deep cultural meaning. What do you believe the action symbolizes culturally? How do you know that the action conveys deep cultural meaning and how did you learn its meaning? Would an individual need to be a member of the particular society in order to understand the deep cultural meaning of the action, or would anyone be able to interpret it correctly? Discuss why or why not.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using an interpretivist approach, anthropologist Clifford Geertz...

Question 5

Popular American discourse often assigns biology-and usually genes-the primary role in determining who we are. What do anthropologists argue regarding the nature versus nurture debate surrounding who we are and how we behave? What evidence do anthropologists have to substantiate their argument?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Popular American discourse often assigns biology-and usually...

Question 6

Current estimates suggest that children in the United States view almost 40,000 commercials a year. All of this is accomplished by advertising, which helps us learn how to do what?

Accepted Answer

Advertising is designed to promote sales of products and services, which helps consumers learn how to be successful in their roles as consumers, such as making informed purchasing decisions and finding the best deals. The goal of advertising is to capture people's attention and influence their choices, increasing the likelihood that they will buy specific products or services.

Question 7

Mental maps of reality constitute one of the four elements that anthropologists often consider when conducting cross-cultural research. Define mental maps of reality and discuss the two important functions that mental maps of reality play regarding culture. Provide a concrete example for each of the two functions. Conclude by discussing why anthropologists should consider a group of people's mental maps of reality when trying to understand their culture.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mental maps of reality constitute one of...

Question 8

Define human agency and how it relates to culture and power. Provide examples of how individuals engage in human agency. Next, discuss how human agency may be used to challenge various aspects of culture and power, providing a minimum of two examples for each. What are some of the implications of this relationship between agency and culture/power?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define human agency and how it relates...

Question 9

A global outlook is emerging in response to increasing globalization linking cultural practices, norms, and values across great distances, even to the most remote areas of the world. What do anthropologists call this?

Accepted Answer

Anthropologists call this phenomenon "cosmopolitanism," which refers to the idea of a global outlook or the idea that cultures are becoming increasingly interconnected across the world. This includes shared values, practices, and norms that transcend national and regional boundaries.

Question 10

How do scientists describe the independent microorganisms (comprised of about 90% of our 100 trillion cells) in the human body?

Accepted Answer

Scientists describe the independent microorganisms in the human body as the human microbiome.

Question 11

Define and distinguish between the approaches of historical particularism and structural functionalism in early anthropology. Who developed each of these approaches, and what do these approaches examine when working to learn about other cultures? How did these two approaches differ from the preceding approach of unilineal cultural evolution?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define and distinguish between the approaches of...

Question 12

Early anthropologists suggested that all cultures would naturally evolve through the same sequence of stages, regardless of location or historical experience. What was this concept called and who were three of its early proponents? What were the three primary stages that all cultures pass through, according to this anthropological approach? In your opinion, what are some implications that this approach would have on how societies are perceived around the world?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Early anthropologists suggested that all cultures would...

Question 13

Which of the primary effects of globalization would you focus on if you were interested in how communities in Mexico were influenced by workers in New York City?

Accepted Answer

Migration is the primary effect of globalization that would be most relevant to the relationship between communities in Mexico and workers in New York City. The movement of people, whether through immigration or emigration, is a common result of globalization and can have significant impacts on both the origin and destination communities.

Question 14

Which of the following industries has the primary goal of creating a desire for goods and services?

Accepted Answer

Advertising is specifically focused on promoting and creating a desire for goods and services, as opposed to banking, manufacturing, or higher education which have different primary goals.

Question 15

Ifeoluwa and Grace live in different countries, practice different religions, and speak different languages. However, they both like the same clothing brands and have the same favorite TV show. Their surprising similarities demonstrate the impact of:

Accepted Answer

Ifeoluwa and Grace's shared preferences for clothing brands and TV shows suggest that globalization has had an impact on their cultures. Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness and integration of the world's economies, societies, and cultures. As people are exposed to new ideas, products, and media from other parts of the world, they may adopt similar preferences and behaviors.

Question 16

Which of the following processes is intensifying the exchange and diffusion of people, ideas, and goods worldwide, creating more interaction and engagement among cultures?

Accepted Answer

Globalization is the process that is intensifying the exchange and diffusion of people, ideas, and goods worldwide, creating more interaction and engagement among cultures. This is facilitated by advancements in technology, transportation, and communication.

Question 17

Former Harvard University president and economist Lawrence Summers commented in a 2005 speech that his school and others similar to it likely had more men in science and math faculties than women because men's brains were better suited for success in these areas. Does Summers's statement reflect a nature or nurture perspective of human experience? Based on what you have read in Chapter 2, what may be some of the reasons why there is a gender discrepancy in science and math faculties in U.S. colleges and universities? What role does culture play in such discrepancies?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Former Harvard University president and economist Lawrence...

Question 18

Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) described hegemony as one of two primary aspects of power. Define hegemony and provide at least two concrete examples of how it serves as a form of power. What is the second aspect of power that Gramsci described and how does it differ from hegemony? Which of the two aspects of power do you believe is likely to be more effective and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) described hegemony as one...

Question 19

The differences in menu items in McDonald's restaurants around the world is a counterexample to what potential consequence of globalization?

Accepted Answer

Homogenization refers to the convergence of cultures and the loss of distinctiveness between them. The fact that McDonald's menus vary greatly around the world shows that there is still a level of cultural diversity and uniqueness that exists despite the forces of globalization.

Question 20

Describe an example of a cultural encounter that you have experienced in your own life and discuss the ways in which it may have expanded or challenged your own ideas about cultural norms, values, symbols, and mental maps of reality. Conclude by discussing what you might have learned about culture from that encounter.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe an example of a cultural encounter...

Quiz 2: Culture