Week 7+8 Updated - Lecture Slides Test Bank PDF

**1. What is a key feature of Maisin cosmology compared to Western views of spirituality?**\ a) Spirits in Maisin belief are inherently evil and antagonistic.\ b) Maisin view spirits as distant and uninterested in human affairs.\ c) Maisin assume humans and spirits share the same physical space.\ d)...

**1. What is a key feature of Maisin cosmology compared to Western views of spirituality?**\ a) Spirits in Maisin belief are inherently evil and antagonistic.\ b) Maisin view spirits as distant and uninterested in human affairs.\ c) Maisin assume humans and spirits share the same physical space.\ d) Spirits are acknowledged only during natural disasters.\ e) Maisin cosmology denies the existence of supernatural entities. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The Maisin believe spirits share the same physical space as humans and assess supernatural encounters critically, unlike Western views that often conceptualize spirits as distant and uninvolved (Barker 2016:116). **2. According to the 2015 study on stress and rituals, why do rituals become more prevalent during stressful times?**\ a) They provide factual solutions to external problems.\ b) They create a sense of order and alleviate anxiety.\ c) They are imposed by societal norms during crises.\ d) They are solely meant to distract people from stress.\ e) They reduce stress by removing uncertainty through actual control. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Rituals become more common during stress because they provide an illusory sense of control, reduce anxiety, and foster resilience and social cohesion, even if the control they offer isn\'t real. **3. In George Gmelch\'s study of baseball magic, what is the primary reason athletes perform rituals before high-stakes situations?**\ a) To intimidate opponents.\ b) To comply with official sports guidelines.\ c) To bond with teammates through shared superstitions.\ d) To control uncertainty and enhance confidence.\ e) To create a new tradition for future athletes. **Correct Answer:** d\ **Explanation:** Athletes engage in rituals like tapping bats or wearing lucky socks to create a sense of control over uncertain outcomes and reduce stress during high-stakes situations, as seen in Gmelch\'s study on baseball magic. **4. What is the key difference between myths, legends, and folktales in terms of their perceived truth?**\ a) Myths and legends are considered fiction, while folktales are viewed as fact.\ b) Myths are sacred and factual, legends are secular and fictional, and folktales are sacred and factual.\ c) Myths and legends are viewed as fact, while folktales are considered fiction.\ d) Myths are recent, legends are ancient, and folktales are timeless.\ e) All are considered factual in their cultural contexts. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Myths and legends are regarded as factual within their cultural contexts, with myths tied to sacred origins and legends to recent history, whereas folktales are explicitly viewed as fictional. **5. In the \"Raven and Seal\" story, what theme is illustrated by Raven burning his hands while trying to replicate Seal\'s method?**\ a) Reciprocity\ b) The inevitability of success\ c) The dangers of generosity\ d) The consequences of deceit\ e) The balance of power between animals **Correct Answer:** d\ **Explanation:** Raven's failure and injury from trying to replicate Seal\'s method highlight the consequences of deceit and the moral lessons embedded in the story. **6. What behavior best characterizes rituals according to anthropological studies?**\ a) They are random and spontaneous acts performed in times of crisis.\ b) They are repetitive, structured, and predictable acts.\ c) They are exclusively performed by religious leaders.\ d) They are only practiced in industrialized societies.\ e) They are unconnected to stress or uncertainty. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Rituals are defined by their repetitive and structured nature, often serving to provide a sense of predictability and comfort, especially during stressful times. **7. In Maisin tapa-making rituals, why must men and children leave the space?**\ a) To avoid contaminating the materials with their presence.\ b) To symbolize the spiritual superiority of women.\ c) To prevent \"drying out\" the dye, which links the practice to femininity.\ d) To enhance productivity through reduced distractions.\ e) To signify gender equality in sacred tasks. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The restriction of men and children from the tapa-making space is tied to spiritual beliefs that their presence could \"dry out\" the dye, connecting the practice to femininity and gender roles. **8. How do the Maisin explain misfortune through sorcery?**\ a) As a natural occurrence unrelated to human actions.\ b) As divine punishment for violating spiritual laws.\ c) As daa (mistakes) or disruptions in reciprocity.\ d) As evidence of malicious spirits' influence.\ e) As punishment for social ostracism. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The Maisin attribute misfortunes to daa, which represent mistakes or breaches in the social reciprocity system, often linking them to sorcery as an explanatory mechanism. **9. What is the cultural significance of the Windigo's appearance in myths?**\ a) It represents greed and the dangers of excess.\ b) It signifies humanity's quest for immortality.\ c) It portrays the beauty of transformation.\ d) It emphasizes the value of physical strength.\ e) It symbolizes the inevitability of natural disasters. **Correct Answer:** a\ **Explanation:** The Windigo's skeletal, decayed appearance and cannibalistic tendencies symbolize greed and the destructive consequences of unrestrained desires. **10. What type of supernatural relationship is described in Guy Swanson's theory?**\ a) Supernatural ideas arise from natural events, not social relationships.\ b) Social interactions inherently contain characteristics associated with the supernatural.\ c) Supernatural concepts are entirely fabricated and disconnected from reality.\ d) Social relationships create barriers to understanding supernatural phenomena.\ e) The supernatural exists independently of human experiences. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Swanson's theory suggests that supernatural ideas stem from the characteristics of human social relationships, which often mirror traits attributed to the supernatural. **11. According to the Maisin, how are supernatural encounters assessed?**\ a) They are always accepted as truth.\ b) They are tested against logical explanations and rejected if unrealistic.\ c) They are automatically attributed to malevolent spirits.\ d) They are ignored unless they involve physical harm.\ e) They are viewed as irrelevant to everyday life. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** The Maisin critically assess supernatural claims, accepting them only when they are deemed realistic or involve direct intervention in life. **12. What is the role of animism in the Cova dels Cavalls paintings?**\ a) To depict the aesthetic values of prehistoric communities.\ b) To symbolize the dominance of humans over animals.\ c) To reflect the belief that animals and nature possess spiritual power.\ d) To challenge the role of shamans in hunting rituals.\ e) To record the dietary habits of early humans. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The Cova dels Cavalls paintings reflect animistic beliefs, where animals and nature are imbued with spiritual significance, often used in rituals to ensure hunting success. **13. Why are Trobriand Islanders more likely to use magic during deep-sea fishing?**\ a) To celebrate the end of the fishing season.\ b) To symbolize their superior fishing skills.\ c) To provide a sense of control over risky and uncertain situations.\ d) To reinforce communal bonds in safer environments.\ e) To demonstrate their scientific understanding of the ocean. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Magic is utilized during deep-sea fishing due to its high risk and unpredictability, providing psychological comfort and perceived control in uncertain conditions. **14. What category of altered states involves substances like peyote and focuses on spiritual journeys?**\ a) Euphorica\ b) Phantastica\ c) Inebriantia\ d) Hypnotica\ e) Excitania **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Phantastica includes visionary substances like peyote, which are traditionally used to facilitate spiritual insights and transformative journeys. **15. In Vodoun possession rituals, what signifies a participant\'s unity with the divine?**\ a) Adopting a new spiritual name.\ b) Performing physical feats like eating glass.\ c) Undergoing a public baptism ceremony.\ d) Reciting sacred texts.\ e) Wearing symbolic garments. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Physical feats such as eating glass or lifting heavy objects during possession rituals symbolize the participant\'s unity with the divine and embodiment of the spirit. **16. What is the key difference between shamans and priests in their societal roles?**\ a) Shamans only address physical illnesses, while priests deal with spiritual issues.\ b) Shamans combine spiritual and physical healing, while priests focus on organized rituals.\ c) Priests perform spontaneous rituals, while shamans work in structured ceremonies.\ d) Shamans and priests share identical roles in all societies.\ e) Priests focus on magical practices, while shamans avoid them. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Shamans address both spiritual and physical ailments through direct interactions with spiritual realms, while priests perform formalized, structured rituals within organized religious frameworks. **17. What principle of Murphy's Law is highlighted by the example of toast falling jam-side down?**\ a) Misfortune is always caused by supernatural forces.\ b) Misfortune is inevitable and can be explained by physics.\ c) Misfortune only happens when no precautions are taken.\ d) Misfortune is a result of human error.\ e) Misfortune always favors the luckiest individual. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** The example of toast falling jam-side down illustrates that what appears to be inevitable misfortune can often be explained by logical factors like physics (e.g., table height, toast angle). **18. What role do myths play in a cultural context according to anthropologists?**\ a) They are entirely fictional stories meant for entertainment.\ b) They convey sacred truths and explain origins in a cultural framework.\ c) They serve as modern allegories for scientific discoveries.\ d) They are used primarily to question societal norms.\ e) They are factual accounts of historical events. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Myths are viewed as sacred truths that explain origins, moral frameworks, or cosmological ideas, anchoring them in the cultural and spiritual context of a society. **19. In the Maisin belief system, what is the consequence of violating spiritual reciprocity during rituals?**\ a) Immediate forgiveness by the spirits.\ b) Social exclusion within the community.\ c) Illness or spiritual disruption.\ d) An increase in ritual efficiency.\ e) Permanent banishment from performing rituals. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Violations of spiritual reciprocity, such as disrupting tapa-making rituals, are believed to cause illness or spiritual imbalances, reflecting the deep connection between social and spiritual harmony. **20. How do Navajo beliefs about witchcraft emphasize the importance of maintaining hozho?**\ a) By discouraging all traditional healing practices.\ b) By promoting harmony and balance to protect against misfortune.\ c) By relying solely on physical remedies for illnesses.\ d) By rejecting supernatural explanations for adversity.\ e) By avoiding all spiritual rituals altogether. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Navajo beliefs stress the importance of maintaining hozho, or harmony and balance, as a protective measure against witchcraft and misfortune. **21. What is the primary purpose of sympathetic magic in prehistoric hunting rituals?**\ a) To celebrate past hunting successes.\ b) To ensure prey availability and community survival.\ c) To record historical events through symbolic art.\ d) To establish territorial claims over hunting grounds.\ e) To pass down hunting techniques to future generations. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Sympathetic magic, such as the Cova dels Cavalls paintings, was believed to invoke spiritual forces to ensure hunting success and community survival. **22. What distinguishes legends from myths?**\ a) Legends are fictional, while myths are factual.\ b) Legends are set in today's world and involve human characters, while myths are set in sacred worlds and feature non-human characters.\ c) Legends are sacred and involve gods, while myths are secular and focus on humans.\ d) Legends are confined to one culture, while myths are universal.\ e) Legends are always recent, while myths are timeless. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Legends are considered factual, set in the contemporary world, and focus on human characters, whereas myths are sacred narratives set in otherworldly realms featuring non-human protagonists. **23. In the Windigo story, what cultural value is most emphasized through the hunter's fate?**\ a) The importance of greed in survival.\ b) The consequences of failing to warn others.\ c) The necessity of communal action against threats.\ d) The inevitability of nature\'s supremacy over humans.\ e) The glorification of individual heroism. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The story emphasizes the necessity of communal effort to overcome the Windigo threat, as seen when the family and relatives unite to stop the cannibal. **24. How does baseball magic differ from traditional rituals in its function?**\ a) It is solely superstitious with no psychological benefits.\ b) It is a cultural adaptation to modern stressors.\ c) It eliminates uncertainty in athletic performance.\ d) It demonstrates the failure of ritualized behavior.\ e) It is mandatory for all professional athletes. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Baseball magic is a modern adaptation of ritualized behavior, serving to reduce stress and provide a sense of control in high-stakes athletic situations. **25. What do euphoric substances like ayahuasca commonly promote in ritual contexts?**\ a) Physical strength and agility.\ b) Relaxation and social bonding.\ c) Spiritual insight and emotional breakthroughs.\ d) Hallucinations with no cultural significance.\ e) Sedation and calmness. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Euphoric substances such as ayahuasca are used in spiritual rituals to facilitate emotional and spiritual breakthroughs, often accompanied by physical purging. **26. How does stress influence the formation of rituals according to the 2015 study?**\ a) Stress causes people to abandon rituals entirely.\ b) Stress leads to spontaneous and unstructured rituals.\ c) Stress increases rigid and repetitive behaviors resembling rituals.\ d) Stress eliminates the need for communal solidarity.\ e) Stress only reinforces religiously mandated rituals. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Stress induces rigid, repetitive behaviors, creating rituals that provide an illusory sense of order and reduce anxiety, fostering resilience and solidarity. **27. In what way do altered states of consciousness during Vodoun possession symbolize unity with the divine?**\ a) Through intellectual debates about theology.\ b) Through the participant\'s physical and spiritual transformation.\ c) Through the preservation of traditional artifacts.\ d) Through the chanting of memorized prayers.\ e) Through the rejection of communal bonds. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Altered states of consciousness, such as extraordinary physical feats during Vodoun possession, symbolize a merging of the participant with the divine spirit. **28. What is a defining characteristic of phantastica substances?**\ a) They induce mild euphoria without visionary effects.\ b) They primarily serve recreational purposes with no spiritual significance.\ c) They facilitate intense spiritual journeys and visionary experiences.\ d) They are used exclusively in secular settings.\ e) They have sedative properties to promote calmness. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Phantastica substances like peyote are defined by their ability to induce visionary states that facilitate spiritual exploration and transformation. **29. What distinguishes Maisin sorcery from Navajo witchcraft?**\ a) Maisin sorcery explains good fortune, while Navajo witchcraft explains illness.\ b) Maisin sorcery is always benevolent, while Navajo witchcraft is malevolent.\ c) Maisin sorcery explains misfortune through daa, while Navajo witchcraft links misfortune to jealousy.\ d) Maisin sorcery involves community rituals, while Navajo witchcraft is performed in isolation.\ e) Maisin sorcery is unrelated to reciprocity, while Navajo witchcraft relies on balance. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Maisin sorcery attributes misfortune to disruptions in reciprocity (daa), whereas Navajo witchcraft often connects misfortunes like illness or financial trouble to jealousy. **30. In the Maisin cosmology, how are spirits perceived in relation to physical space?**\ a) Spirits inhabit a separate spiritual dimension.\ b) Spirits are rarely considered unless during rituals.\ c) Spirits share the same physical space as humans.\ d) Spirits are treated as purely symbolic entities.\ e) Spirits only appear during life-threatening events. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The Maisin believe spirits coexist in the same physical space as humans, integrating this view into their daily lives and cultural practices (Barker 2016:116). **31. What lesson is emphasized in the \"Raven and Seal\" story regarding trickery?**\ a) Trickery always leads to greater success.\ b) The wise and resourceful are rewarded for their cunning.\ c) Attempting to deceive others often results in failure.\ d) Animals are inherently superior to humans in morality.\ e) Reciprocity outweighs individual success in all cases. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The story illustrates the failure of Raven's deceitful attempts to replicate Seal's method, teaching a moral lesson about the consequences of trickery. **32. What type of misfortune is highlighted by Murphy's Law, such as rival tennis players praying for victory?**\ a) Misfortune is universal and affects everyone equally.\ b) Misfortune reflects inevitable failures in social rituals.\ c) Misfortune is subjective, as one person's loss can be another's gain.\ d) Misfortune is caused by a lack of belief in supernatural forces.\ e) Misfortune depends entirely on external factors. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Murphy's Law shows that misfortune is subjective, demonstrated by the tennis example where one player\'s \"bad\" outcome is another's \"good\" fortune. **33. Why is photography avoided in traditional Navajo contexts?**\ a) It is considered disrespectful to ancestral spirits.\ b) It is believed to disrupt natural harmony.\ c) It is thought to enable sympathetic magic against the subject.\ d) It signifies an embrace of modernity over tradition.\ e) It is irrelevant to Navajo cultural practices. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Photography is avoided in traditional Navajo contexts due to fears of sympathetic magic, where the image might be used to harm the individual depicted. **34. What is the cultural significance of rigid behavior during stressful times as seen in rituals?**\ a) It reflects society's inability to adapt to change.\ b) It showcases the randomness of human behavior under pressure.\ c) It creates a perceived sense of control and reduces anxiety.\ d) It leads to an eventual abandonment of communal norms.\ e) It prevents the development of rational coping mechanisms. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Rigid behaviors resembling rituals during stress create an illusory sense of control, helping reduce anxiety and maintain order. **35. What theme does the Windigo myth explore through the cannibal figure?**\ a) The dangers of over-reliance on supernatural beings.\ b) The value of solitude in overcoming adversity.\ c) The consequences of greed and unchecked desires.\ d) The inevitability of natural disasters in human life.\ e) The superiority of humans over nature. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The Windigo myth uses the cannibal figure to symbolize the destructive consequences of greed and unrestrained desires, emphasizing moral and communal values. **36. Why are rituals such as tapping bats or wearing lucky socks common in sports?**\ a) They are officially mandated by team management.\ b) They create an illusion of control in uncertain situations.\ c) They directly improve physical performance.\ d) They help athletes intimidate their opponents.\ e) They reflect deeply spiritual beliefs unique to sports. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Rituals in sports, such as tapping bats, provide psychological comfort and a perceived sense of control in situations where outcomes are uncertain. **37. In altered states of consciousness, how does the category of inebriantia differ from hypnotica?**\ a) Inebriantia promotes relaxation, while hypnotica induces visionary experiences.\ b) Inebriantia includes stimulants, while hypnotica involves sedatives.\ c) Inebriantia is used for social bonding, while hypnotica promotes calmness.\ d) Inebriantia is purely recreational, while hypnotica has spiritual significance.\ e) Inebriantia creates hallucinations, while hypnotica suppresses anxiety. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Inebriantia, like alcohol, fosters social bonding and relaxation, while hypnotica, like kava, calms the body and reduces anxiety. **38. What is the role of shamans in addressing illness according to Wade Davis?**\ a) They rely solely on herbal remedies for treatment.\ b) They perform religious rituals to exorcise evil spirits.\ c) They combine spiritual and physical healing methods.\ d) They delegate healing to priests and community leaders.\ e) They prioritize physical symptoms over spiritual causes. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Shamans address illness by combining physical treatments, such as medicinal plants, with spiritual healing, often entering altered states to interact with the spiritual realm. **39. How do Trobriand Islanders differentiate between lagoon and deep-sea fishing in their use of magic?**\ a) Lagoon fishing requires communal rituals, while deep-sea fishing does not.\ b) Magic is used during lagoon fishing to ensure its success.\ c) Magic is unnecessary for predictable lagoon fishing but used for risky deep-sea fishing.\ d) Deep-sea fishing avoids magic as it relies solely on skill.\ e) Magic is equally applied to both types of fishing. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Trobriand Islanders use magic during deep-sea fishing, which is risky and uncertain, while it is unnecessary for predictable lagoon fishing. **40. In the Maisin belief system, what are daa and how are they connected to sorcery?**\ a) Daa are blessings granted by spirits during rituals.\ b) Daa are mistakes or disruptions in reciprocity that lead to sorcery accusations.\ c) Daa are prayers used to protect against malicious spirits.\ d) Daa are traditional chants invoking spiritual harmony.\ e) Daa are symbolic objects used in rituals to ward off sorcery. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** In Maisin cosmology, daa are mistakes or breaches of reciprocity that are believed to cause misfortunes, often attributed to sorcery as an explanatory mechanism. **Variation 1:**\ **How do myths differ from folktales in terms of setting and characters?**\ a) Myths are set in a sacred, otherworldly past and feature non-human characters, while folktales are set in any time or place and may feature human or non-human characters.\ b) Myths are always secular and fictional, while folktales are sacred and factual.\ c) Myths involve contemporary settings, while folktales focus on historical events.\ d) Myths and folktales both exclusively feature human characters.\ e) Myths are recent accounts of events, while folktales are tied to religious beliefs. **Correct Answer:** a\ **Explanation:** Myths are set in a sacred, remote past with non-human characters, whereas folktales are fictional and can take place in any time or place with diverse characters. **Variation 2:**\ **What is the primary way legends differ from folktales in their perceived truth?**\ a) Legends are seen as factual, while folktales are considered fictional.\ b) Legends are always associated with moral lessons, while folktales are purely entertainment.\ c) Legends involve supernatural beings, while folktales only feature humans.\ d) Legends are considered sacred, while folktales are tied to historical events.\ e) Legends focus on non-human characters, while folktales highlight historical figures. **Correct Answer:** a\ **Explanation:** Legends are viewed as factual accounts often tied to recent history, while folktales are fictional stories meant for entertainment or moral teaching. **Variation 3:**\ **Which statement best describes the relationship between myths and legends?**\ a) Both myths and legends are fictional, but myths involve sacred themes.\ b) Myths explain the origin of the world in a sacred context, while legends describe recent human history.\ c) Myths focus on human characters, while legends feature divine beings.\ d) Myths are limited to secular stories, while legends are tied to religious practices.\ e) Myths are seen as recent events, while legends are rooted in prehistoric traditions. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Myths are sacred narratives explaining origins and cosmology, while legends recount factual or semi-factual stories from recent human history. **Variation 4:**\ **What is a defining characteristic of folktales compared to myths and legends?**\ a) Folktales are always tied to historical events.\ b) Folktales feature factual accounts of sacred rituals.\ c) Folktales are viewed as fiction and are not tied to a specific time or place.\ d) Folktales are exclusively focused on divine characters.\ e) Folktales are set in sacred, otherworldly realms. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Folktales are fictional stories, not bound to specific times or places, and often serve to entertain or teach moral lessons. **Variation 5:**\ **Which feature is unique to legends but not myths or folktales?**\ a) Legends are always considered fictional accounts.\ b) Legends take place in today's world and involve human characters.\ c) Legends feature moral lessons taught by non-human characters.\ d) Legends are tied to sacred, otherworldly origins.\ e) Legends focus exclusively on natural phenomena. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Legends are distinct in their focus on factual or semi-factual accounts involving human characters set in today's world or the recent past. **Variation 6:**\ **How are the principal characters in myths different from those in legends?**\ a) Mythical characters are human, while legendary characters are always divine.\ b) Mythical characters are non-human, while legendary characters are human.\ c) Myths feature only animals, while legends include gods and humans.\ d) Myths and legends both focus exclusively on divine beings.\ e) Myths feature fictional characters, while legends are rooted in documented figures. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Myths feature non-human characters like gods or supernatural beings, while legends involve human characters who often achieve extraordinary feats. **Variation 7:**\ **Which best describes the time frame associated with myths, legends, and folktales?**\ a) Myths are from the sacred past, legends are from the recent past, and folktales are timeless.\ b) Myths are always contemporary, legends are timeless, and folktales are from the distant past.\ c) Myths, legends, and folktales all occur in a historical context.\ d) Myths are always modern, legends are ancient, and folktales are tied to current events.\ e) Myths and legends share the same time frame, but folktales are tied to religious rituals. **Correct Answer:** a\ **Explanation:** Myths originate from a sacred, otherworldly past; legends are tied to the recent past and involve real-world events; folktales are not bound to any specific time.