Anthropology and Cultural Change

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the role of an anthropologist, according to the passage?

To focus on the shared history of all civilizations.
To escape from the complexities of modern society.
To study the development of different cultures.
To compare and contrast different cultures to understand ethics. (correct)

How has the focus of anthropology changed over time?

It has become more focused on the shared history of all civilizations.
It has shifted its focus based on the evolving questions of science and society. (correct)
It has become increasingly influenced by modern societal concerns.
It has shifted away from cultural comparisons and towards historical analysis.

What is the author's view on anthropologists who are drawn to studying distant cultures as an escape?

The author views this approach as potentially problematic and misleading.
The author does not express a clear opinion on this matter. (correct)
The author supports this practice as a healthy way to cope with everyday realities.
The author believes that it is a legitimate approach to anthropological research.

What does the phrase 'spotted an anthropologist' suggest about the field?

Anthropology is a diverse and multi-faceted field with varied research interests. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common research topic in anthropology?

The impact of technology on societal structures (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's primary purpose in this passage?

To provide a historical overview of the field of anthropology. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be inferred about the role of history in anthropology?

History is an essential element in understanding the development of cultures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is the most desirable characteristic of the people that anthropologists study?

They should be relatively untouched by the influences of our own civilization. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary argument presented in the passage?

Human behaviors are often considered innate, but research shows that they can be influenced by culture. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, how does culture influence individual behavior?

Culture establishes a framework for understanding behavior, shaping individual choices and interpretations. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which example BEST exemplifies the relationship between culture and individual behavior discussed in the passage?

The practice of polygamy in certain cultures, influencing family structures. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the cultural contrasts mentioned in the passage?

They reveal the limitations of studying human behavior solely within one's own culture. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's overall perspective on the relationship between human behavior and culture?

Culture significantly influences human behavior, shaping our attitudes, beliefs, and actions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage as a factor that can be influenced by culture?

Physical characteristics (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of studying cultural contrasts, as discussed in the passage?

It provides a more complete understanding of human behavior and how it varies across cultures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement BEST represents the author's stance on the importance of cultural relativity in understanding human behavior?

Cultural relativity is crucial for understanding how individuals behave within their respective cultures. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the text, as it pertains to the role of anthropology in understanding human values?

Anthropological studies can provide insight into the relativity of morality and religion by examining different cultures. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is NOT mentioned as contributing to an individual's behavior, according to the text?

Economic status (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, what is a potential danger of using anthropology to study different cultures?

The study of diverse cultures can lead to the conclusion that all values are equally valid and that no culture is better than another. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's view on the idea that morality and religion are illusions?

The author believes that this view is a misconception based on a superficial understanding of cultural differences. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The text suggests that sociology and psychology are limited in their studies of human behavior because:

They primarily focus on Western societies, neglecting other cultures and traditions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest is the key to utilizing anthropology for a more nuanced understanding of human values?

A comparative approach that considers different cultural practices and their underlying values. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The text provides an example of the potential dangers of studying different cultures and concluding that all values are relative by discussing:

The practice of polygamy in some cultures. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The author suggests that the misconception of the relativity of values is perpetuated by:

Stopping short of analyzing data to determine if morality and religion are illusions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most distinctive characteristic of anthropology, according to the provided text?

Focusing on exotic or unfamiliar cultures (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about anthropologists' view of their own civilization?

It cannot be fully understood without studying other cultures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a field of study within anthropology?

Sociology (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the rise of Darwin's theory of evolution impact early anthropology?

It challenged traditional views of human origins. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The text contrasts the study of "strange peoples" with what?

The study of our own civilization (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's primary purpose in this text?

To explain the importance of studying diverse cultures (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the diversity of preliterate cultures?

They represent a wide range of social and cultural variations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The author uses examples of archaeologists, linguists, and physical anthropologists to illustrate what point?

The different branches of anthropology all study 'strange peoples'. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'cosmic scheme' referred to in the text, and how was it discredited?

The scheme was based on the idea that Western Civilization was the pinnacle of human evolution, disproven by the discovery of cultural diffusion. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What did anthropologists before the study of diffusion believe about the development of different cultures?

They believed that cultures developed independently, with no significant influence from other societies. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary point made about the study of diffusion in the text?

It demonstrates the interconnectedness of human cultures through the exchange of ideas and practices. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples is NOT mentioned in the text as evidence of cultural diffusion?

The adoption of European hairiness and monogamy by other cultures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How did the study of diffusion impact the understanding of human history?

It challenged the notion of separate and independent cultural development. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did the older theological perspective emphasize?

The divine origin and absolute truth of our customs, ethics, and religion. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's attitude towards the study of diffusion?

The author is enthusiastic about the study of diffusion and its implications for understanding human history. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the older anthropological theories and the insights gained from the study of diffusion?

The older theories focused on cultural evolution, while the study of diffusion emphasized cultural borrowing. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key findings that challenged the idea of distinct evolutionary stages in human cultures?

Cultural traits, often thought to be indicative of specific evolutionary stages, were found to be distributed unevenly across various cultures, regardless of their overall complexity. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the impact of cross-cultural borrowing on societal development?

It contributes to a dynamic exchange of ideas, creating a more complex and multifaceted global culture. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did the findings of physical anthropology contribute to the understanding of world history?

They helped to reconstruct the history of civilization by shedding light on the interconnectedness and influence of various races. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What evidence did Theodor Waitz use to refute the claim of innate racial disability?

He pointed out that groups with diverse populations and a history of intermingling races had achieved high levels of civilization. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main implication of the statement, "every civilized group ever known has been racially mixed"?

Racial purity hinders the development of civilization, suggesting that a diverse population is essential for progress. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary argument against the notion of certain races being consistently superior or inferior in terms of civilization?

All races have the potential to achieve high levels of civilization, given the right conditions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's overall perspective on the role of race in the development of civilization?

Civilization is the result of a complex interplay of factors, including cultural exchange, innovation, and historical circumstances, where race does not play a defining role. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the statement "in common with a hundred others the things it most dearly valued" imply?

The values cherished by a particular culture are often reflected in the values of many other cultures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Diffusion

The study of how cultural traits spread across societies.

Anthropologist's ladder

A metaphorical structure to rank cultures from primitive to advanced.