Charles Darwin and Evolution Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of anthropology?

The study of ancient civilizations only

The study of plants and ecosystems

The study of human species and cultures (correct)

The study of animal behavior

Which of the following statements about Charles Darwin is correct?

He proposed the theory of natural selection. (correct)

He was born to a poor family.

He completed his studies in medicine.

He was an anthropologist.

Which mechanism of change suggests an alteration in allele frequency due to chance?

Natural Selection

Genetic Drift (correct)

Migration

Mutation

What did Darwin's observations in the Galapagos Islands lead him to conclude?

Different species arise from the same common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT one of the four physical characteristics of humans identified?

Fur Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between evolution and natural selection?

Evolution means change, while natural selection refers to the process that drives that change. Signup and view all the answers

In which year did Darwin publish his first book, 'The Origin of Species'?

1859 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Darwin's views on humanity is true?

He speculated that all humans share a common ancestor. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is noted for rejecting the theory of evolution and believes that God created man and species?

Fundamentalist Christians Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic indicates that Lucy was bipedal?

The inward slant on her thigh Signup and view all the answers

What is the age of Ardi, the species Ardipithecus Ramidus?

4.4 million years Signup and view all the answers

Which species is known as the 'Handyman' for inventing the first stone tools?

Homo Habilis Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary significance of the discovery of Selam?

It was a baby skull uncovered in volcanic ash. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes Homo Erectus?

Oldest species known to leave Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What does the discovery of Lucy represent in anthropological terms?

A critical fossil that supports the theory of evolution. Signup and view all the answers

The brain size of which early hominid was about 47% of modern humans?

Homo Habilis Signup and view all the answers

What does physical anthropology primarily focus on?

Biological development of humans over time Signup and view all the answers

What is paleoanthropology concerned with?

Studying the bone and stone remains of ancestors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following most accurately describes ethnology?

Immersing in a culture for extensive note-taking Signup and view all the answers

What did Donald Johanson discover in Hador, Ethiopia?

A knee joint evidence of bipedalism Signup and view all the answers

What significant finding is associated with Raymond Dart?

Identification of Australopithecus Africanus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the Leakey family?

They promoted the study of the evolution of similar traits between humans and primates Signup and view all the answers

What was Dian Fossey known for studying?

Gorillas and their social structures Signup and view all the answers

What key concept did the Leakeys and other significant anthropologists support?

The nature versus nurture argument in anthropological studies Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of anthropology would examine how often diseases occur in different populations?

Epidemiology Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable finding of Mary Leakey in Laetoli, Tanzania?

Footprints indicating human bipedalism Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a subculture from the main culture?

It shares characteristics of the overall culture but includes unique beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of culture?

Culture shapes how we perceive the world. Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the feelings of confusion and disorientation when experiencing a different culture?

Culture shock Signup and view all the answers

How does culture influence our biological needs?

By determining the foods we find appealing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the nature vs. nurture debate?

The argument over the primacy of instincts versus learned behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of cultural relativism?

Understanding a culture on its own terms without judgment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of non-material culture?

Religious beliefs and practices. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor plays a significant role in the process of socialization?

Cultural institutions and family upbringing. Signup and view all the answers

What significant discovery was made by Jane Goodall during her study of chimpanzees?

Chimps can exhibit emotions like joy and sorrow. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes Birute Galdikas's contributions to primatology?

She spent over four decades studying orangutans in Borneo. Signup and view all the answers

What concept is Franz Boas primarily associated with in cultural anthropology?

Cultural relativism Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary conclusion drawn by Margaret Mead during her studies in Samoa?

Societal influences play a major role in personality development. Signup and view all the answers

What is Ruth Benedict's view on personality development?

It is learned and shaped by cultural factors. Signup and view all the answers

What discovery is Konrad Lorenz best known for?

Ducklings imprint on the first moving object they see. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is Bronislaw Malinowski associated with?

Functionalism in social anthropology. Signup and view all the answers

What methodology did Claude-Levi Strauss develop in cultural studies?

Structuralism focusing on binary opposites. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assertion of Noam Chomsky regarding language acquisition?

Language acquisition is innate and natural. Signup and view all the answers

How is culture defined in the context of anthropology?

The total system of ideas, values, behaviors, and attitudes commonly shared in a society. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Charles Darwin

Born in Shropshire, England on February 12, 1809
Came from a wealthy family
Studied medicine at Edinburgh University from 1825-1827 but did not finish
Was a naturalist, not an anthropologist
In 1831, went on a 5-year scientific expedition on the HMS Beagle with his friend Wickham
Landed in the Galapagos Islands and noted slight differences in finches from island to island
Published "The Origin of Species" in 1859 - explained evolution through natural selection
Published "The Descent of Man" in 1871 - connected his theory of natural selection to humans

Evolution vs Natural Selection

Evolution means to change
Darwin believed humanity evolved through natural selection, coming from a common ancestor
When members of a species survive, they pass on their characteristics to offspring
Over time, successful variations create new species

Four Physical Characteristics of Humans

Brain (ability for complex thought)
Opposable thumbs
Vocal apparatus
Bipedalism (ability to walk upright)

Mechanisms of Change (Evolution)

Mutation
Migration
Genetic Drift
Natural Selection

Creationism vs. Evolutionism

Fundamentalist Christians do not believe in evolution - take creation story literally
Some Christians see no incompatibility between evolution and religion
Buddhists believe this debate is irrelevant, but see evolution as compatible with their philosophy
Hindus believe in evolution
Muslims reject evolution theory, believing God created man and species

Lucy (Australopithecus Afarensis)

Found in 1974 in Ethiopia by Donald Johanson
3.2 million years old
Inward slant on her thigh suggested she was bipedal
Referred to as the "missing link" - has aspects of chimpanzees and humans
Had a small brain, only ate fruits, and did not eat meat

Ardi (Ardipithecus Ramidus)

Found in 1992 in the Afar Region (Ethiopia) by Dr. Lovejoy
4.4 million years old
Closer in resemblance to modern humans than contemporary apes
Ardi debunked theories of bipedalism - she was made to walk and climb

Selam

Ethiopian word for peace
Baby skull found by Dr. Zerary Alemsege
3.3 million years old and covered in volcanic ash

Homo Habilis

Found by the Leakey family
Lived 2.5-1.5 million years ago
"Handyman" - invented first stone tools
Lived in Eastern and Southern Africa
Brain was 47% of current size

Homo Erectus

Found by the Leakey family
Lived 1.2 - 1.5 million years ago in Africa
First species to leave Africa and migrate to Asia

Homo Neanderthal

Homo Sapien

Humans
First appeared 200,000 years ago
Larger brain size and capacity for complex thought

Branches of Anthropology

Physical Anthropology: examines physical similarities and differences between humans and other species and how humans have developed biologically overtime
Cultural Anthropology: examines how culture has shaped the way we live, studying different cultural settings around the world
Paleoanthropology: study bones and stone remains from ancestors
Archeology: study of physical remains from past cultures through excavation and reconstruction
Human Variation: study physical similarities and differences of existing human populations
Ethnology: immerse themselves in a culture for years to take meticulous notes
Primatology: study of primates
Linguistics: study history and structure of language and how humans use language
Ethology: study of animal instincts
Epidemiology: the study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why

Important Anthropologists

Donald Johanson: found a knee joint and then Lucy, supporting the nature argument
Raymond Dart: found a child's skull, supporting the nature argument
The Leakey family: Mary, Louis, and Rich; looked at how culture is progressive and how it is similar to primates, supporting the nature argument
Dian Fossey: studied gorillas in Rwanda, supporting the nurture argument
Jane Goodall: studied chimpanzees, supporting both the nature and nurture argument
Biruté Galdikas: studied orangutans in Borneo, Indonesia, supporting both the nature and nurture argument
Franz Boas: founder of modern cultural anthropology - studied linguistics, supporting the nurture argument
Margaret Mead: famous ethnographer - studied gender roles and the impact of society on personality, supporting the nurture argument
Ruth Benedict: personality is learned, supporting the nurture argument
Konrad Lorenz: founder of ethology, believed that behavioural patterns are traced to our evolutionary past, supporting the nature argument
Bronislaw Malinowski: founder of social anthropology, created the idea of functionalism and believed where you live determines behaviour, supporting the nurture argument
Claude-Levi Strauss: created structuralism, looked for patterns in culture through the examination of binary opposites, supporting the nurture argument
Noam Chomsky: leading founder of linguistic anthropology, believed that language acquisition is innate, supporting the nature argument

Cultural Anthropology

Culture is the total system of ideas, values, behaviors, and attitudes of a society commonly shared by most members
Culture is learned, shared, defines nature, shapes how we perceive the world, and has patterns

Subculture and Culture Shock

Subculture: shares characteristics of an overall culture but also has distinctive ideas and behaviors
Culture Shock:

Feral Children and Socialization

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

Nature: the influence of inherited biological traits
Nurture: the process of influencing a child through learning
The Wild Robot movie is used as an example

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Description

Test your knowledge on the life and contributions of Charles Darwin, especially his theories on evolution and natural selection. This quiz covers key events in his life and the impact of his work 'The Origin of Species' and 'The Descent of Man'.