Week 9 - Lecture Slides Test Bank PDF

**1. In Maisin society, sorcery beliefs primarily serve to...**\ A. Justify the existence of powerful leaders.\ B. Explain supernatural intervention in natural events.\ C. Enforce hierarchical systems through fear.\ D. Provide entertainment during communal rituals.\ E. Explain misfortune and suggest...

**1. In Maisin society, sorcery beliefs primarily serve to...**\ A. Justify the existence of powerful leaders.\ B. Explain supernatural intervention in natural events.\ C. Enforce hierarchical systems through fear.\ D. Provide entertainment during communal rituals.\ E. Explain misfortune and suggest resolutions when alternatives fail.\ **Correct Answer: E**\ *Explanation: Sorcery beliefs in Maisin society address misfortune by providing explanations and suggesting courses of action, especially when immediate solutions are unavailable.* **24. How is harmony restored after a sorcery accusation in Navajo society?**\ A. Through formal legal trials.\ B. By re-establishing balance using traditional rituals.\ C. By ostracizing the accused from the community.\ D. Through economic compensation.\ E. By avoiding interaction with spiritual leaders.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: Harmony is restored by performing traditional rituals aimed at re-establishing hozho, the balance and beauty central to Navajo beliefs.* **25. What are common triggers for witchcraft accusations in small-scale societies?**\ A. Disputes over land ownership.\ B. Violations of reciprocity norms.\ C. Conflicts over political leadership.\ D. Failure to perform ancestral worship.\ E. Use of modern technologies.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: Violations of reciprocity norms, such as withholding resources or jealousy, are common triggers for witchcraft accusations in small-scale societies.* **2. Which of the following triggers sorcery accusations in Maisin society?**\ A. Accumulation of excess wealth.\ B. Violation of strict religious taboos.\ C. Lack of participation in communal rituals.\ D. Refusal to marry within the community.\ E. Jealousy, theft, or failure to share resources like food or tobacco.\ **Correct Answer: E**\ *Explanation: Sorcery is often linked to disruptions of reciprocity caused by actions such as jealousy, theft, or withholding resources.* **3. How does the term daa relate to Maisin sorcery beliefs?**\ A. It describes a spirit that enforces morality.\ B. It refers to the act of conducting sorcery rituals.\ C. It signifies a sacred object used in rituals.\ D. It explains the origins of reciprocity rules.\ E. It describes provocations or mistakes that disrupt social harmony.\ **Correct Answer: E**\ *Explanation: The term daa represents mistakes or provocations that disrupt reciprocity, often leading to accusations of sorcery.* **4. What is the Navajo term for Skinwalkers?**\ A. Hozho.\ B. Ttamati bejji.\ C. Daa.\ D. Ongka.\ E. Yee naaldlooshii.\ **Correct Answer: E**\ *Explanation: Skinwalkers, or yee naaldlooshii, are beings in Navajo belief associated with malevolence and witchcraft.* **22. How does jealousy relate to sorcery accusations among the Maisin?**\ A. Jealousy motivates sorcerers to harm others.\ B. Accusations arise when jealousy disrupts social reciprocity.\ C. Jealousy undermines communal ceremonies.\ D. It leads to the abandonment of traditional norms.\ E. Jealousy is irrelevant to Maisin sorcery accusations.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: In Maisin society, jealousy often disrupts the reciprocity that is central to their social structure, leading to sorcery accusations.* **23. How do Maisin leaders reflect egalitarian principles in their roles?**\ A. They organize large-scale ceremonial exchanges.\ B. Leadership is based on communal needs rather than status.\ C. Leaders enforce permanent authority through wealth.\ D. Leadership roles are inherited through family lines.\ E. Leaders are chosen based on spiritual visions.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: Maisin leaders embody egalitarian principles by stepping into temporary roles to meet community needs, rather than holding permanent power.* **5. How does hozho function in Navajo belief systems?**\ A. It eliminates the need for reciprocal obligations.\ B. It promotes hierarchical leadership structures.\ C. It fosters competition between clans.\ D. It serves as protection against witchcraft.\ E. It creates an imbalance in social harmony.\ **Correct Answer: D**\ *Explanation: Hozho, meaning balance, harmony, and beauty, protects against witchcraft and restores social and spiritual well-being.* **6. According to Dr. Jill Ahlberg, witchcraft remains a dominant explanation for...**\ A. Changes in weather patterns.\ B. Tribal victories in competitions.\ C. Modern financial and familial problems.\ D. The spread of modern technologies.\ E. Unsuccessful community rituals.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Modern Navajo communities often attribute issues like sickness, financial trouble, and family conflicts to witchcraft.* **7. What role do oracles play in Azande witchcraft practices?**\ A. They enforce strict adherence to ancestral worship.\ B. They provide written records of spiritual laws.\ C. They connect individuals directly with deities.\ D. They confirm the causes of harm and suggest remedies.\ E. They act as ceremonial leaders during feasts.\ **Correct Answer: D**\ *Explanation: Oracles are central in Azande society, as they identify causes of misfortune and offer solutions through divination.* **8. What kind of economies are associated with societies where witchcraft is a dominant belief?**\ A. Industrial economies reliant on mass production.\ B. Digital economies driven by technological innovation.\ C. Agricultural economies reliant on cash crops.\ D. Subsistence economies based on small-scale farming or hunting.\ E. Market economies with global trade networks.\ **Correct Answer: D**\ *Explanation: Witchcraft beliefs are often found in subsistence economies where small-scale farming, hunting, and gathering dominate.* **9. In Maisin society, a ttamati bejji, or "big man," gains leadership by...**\ A. Inheriting authority from previous leaders.\ B. Managing large herds of livestock.\ C. Organizing elaborate ceremonial exchanges.\ D. Demonstrating physical strength and mobilizing support temporarily.\ E. Acting as a permanent spiritual leader for the community.\ **Correct Answer: D**\ *Explanation: A ttamati bejji gains influence through temporary leadership roles, often mobilizing support based on circumstances.* **10. How does gossip function as a social control mechanism in Maisin society?**\ A. It reinforces individualism by encouraging competition.\ B. It provides formal accusations for legal resolution.\ C. It promotes secrecy about communal issues.\ D. It serves as a direct punishment for wrongdoing.\ E. It shames individuals indirectly, encouraging conformity.\ **Correct Answer: E**\ *Explanation: Gossip is a subtle yet powerful tool that enforces social norms by indirectly shaming individuals who deviate from expectations.* **11. What is a key feature of egalitarian leadership in Maisin society?**\ A. Leaders hold permanent positions of power.\ B. Leadership depends on familial lineage.\ C. Leaders are primarily wealthy landowners.\ D. Leadership emerges temporarily based on need.\ E. Leaders rely on spiritual rituals to maintain authority.\ **Correct Answer: D**\ *Explanation: Egalitarian leadership in Maisin society is temporary and situational, with leaders stepping up when necessary.* **12. What cultural value is reflected in the Maisin "falling down rule"?**\ A. Individual heroism during emergencies.\ B. Hierarchical authority during crises.\ C. The rejection of outsiders in communal spaces.\ D. The avoidance of reciprocity during dangerous situations.\ E. The deeply ingrained norm of reciprocity in social actions.\ **Correct Answer: E**\ *Explanation: The falling down rule demonstrates the Maisin\'s ingrained reciprocity norms, where actions are instinctively performed as \"the correct thing to do.\"* **13. What distinguishes Maisin leaders from New Guinea highlands leaders?**\ A. Maisin leaders manage large ceremonial exchanges.\ B. New Guinea highlands leaders hold permanent power.\ C. Maisin leaders primarily serve as spiritual guides.\ D. New Guinea highlands leaders emphasize egalitarianism.\ E. Maisin leaders focus on mobilizing support during specific circumstances.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: Unlike the temporary leadership of the Maisin, New Guinea highlands leaders often hold permanent authority and manage large exchanges.* **14. How does the Azande use of oracles maintain social order?**\ A. Oracles provide definitive answers to accusations.\ B. They diffuse tensions by addressing grievances.\ C. Oracles confirm the inevitability of misfortune.\ D. They empower individuals to confront wrongdoers directly.\ E. Oracles emphasize the randomness of social disputes.\ **Correct Answer: A**\ *Explanation: Oracles provide clear answers to accusations, resolving disputes and maintaining social harmony in Azande society.* **15. How does reciprocity influence sorcery accusations in Maisin society?**\ A. Violations of reciprocity often provoke accusations.\ B. Reciprocity norms prevent individuals from committing sorcery.\ C. Sorcery accusations reflect the central role of egalitarian leadership.\ D. Sorcery accusations are unrelated to Maisin reciprocity norms.\ E. Accusations arise from formal legal disputes, not reciprocal violations.\ **Correct Answer: A**\ *Explanation: When reciprocity is disrupted, such as through jealousy or theft, accusations of sorcery often arise to restore balance.* **16. Why is photography controversial among traditional Navajo?**\ A. It is believed to disrupt harmony (hozho).\ B. Photographs are seen as physical manifestations vulnerable to harm.\ C. Photography is considered a modern intrusion on sacred practices.\ D. It is forbidden by Navajo ancestral teachings.\ E. Photographs reflect a lack of spiritual connection.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: Traditional Navajo beliefs hold that photographs are physical manifestations, making them susceptible to sympathetic magic and harm.* **17. What characterizes the political systems where witchcraft is prevalent?**\ A. Small-scale, decentralized social structures.\ B. Egalitarian leadership emphasizing reciprocity.\ C. Centralized economies dominated by elites.\ D. Hierarchical systems reliant on strict laws.\ E. Political systems focused on warfare and conquest.\ **Correct Answer: A**\ *Explanation: Witchcraft beliefs are often found in small-scale, decentralized societies where interpersonal relationships and reciprocity are key to maintaining order.* **18. How does egalitarianism shape political authority among the Maisin?**\ A. Leaders gain power through wealth accumulation.\ B. Leadership is temporary and emerges when needed.\ C. Authority is inherited from familial lineages.\ D. Leadership is permanent and reinforced by rituals.\ E. Leaders are elected based on community votes.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: In Maisin society, leadership is egalitarian, emerging temporarily based on circumstances and the ability to mobilize support.* **19. What moral expectation underlies the Maisin practice of bringing small gifts?**\ A. It demonstrates loyalty to a specific leader.\ B. It reinforces social norms of sharing and reciprocity.\ C. It honors ancestral spirits during communal gatherings.\ D. It is a spiritual offering to ward off sorcery.\ E. It allows individuals to gain favor in political disputes.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: The practice of bringing small gifts, like tobacco or betel nut, reflects the Maisin's strong emphasis on sharing and reciprocity.* **20. What is the significance of harmony in Navajo beliefs about witchcraft?**\ A. Harmony is unrelated to protection from witchcraft.\ B. Harmony (hozho) ensures protection against witchcraft's harm.\ C. Harmony discourages the practice of rituals.\ D. Harmony increases the risk of sympathetic magic.\ E. Harmony is only symbolic in dealing with witchcraft.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: The Navajo concept of hozho, encompassing harmony and balance, serves as a protective force against witchcraft's influence.* **21. How do Azande beliefs in magic address grievances in decentralized societies?**\ A. Magic resolves disputes by assigning blame to natural causes.\ B. Oracles and magic help confirm suspicions and identify solutions.\ C. Magic strengthens centralized political power.\ D. It allows communities to avoid conflict resolution.\ E. Oracles ensure all misfortunes are seen as random events.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: In Azande society, oracles and magic are used to confirm suspicions and suggest remedies, addressing grievances and maintaining order.* **26. How does gossip in Maisin society promote sharing behavior?**\ A. Gossip shames individuals who fail to conform to social norms.\ B. Gossip ensures formal accusations are brought against wrongdoers.\ C. Gossip separates individuals into hierarchical groups.\ D. Gossip encourages leaders to redistribute wealth.\ E. Gossip acts as a direct punishment for misbehavior.\ **Correct Answer: A**\ *Explanation: Gossip subtly enforces social norms by shaming individuals who fail to participate in reciprocity, indirectly promoting sharing behavior.* **27. What role does balance play in the Navajo concept of hozho?**\ A. It emphasizes individual success over communal harmony.\ B. It allows communities to embrace spiritual disorder.\ C. It restores harmony and acts as protection against witchcraft.\ D. It eliminates the need for traditional rituals.\ E. It creates divisions between different social groups.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Hozho reflects the Navajo emphasis on balance and harmony, offering protection against misfortunes like witchcraft.* **28. How does reciprocity shape everyday interactions in Maisin society?**\ A. Reciprocity is limited to formal rituals and ceremonies.\ B. Reciprocity discourages individuals from acting independently.\ C. Reciprocity defines social expectations, such as sharing resources.\ D. Reciprocity replaces individual generosity with collective punishment.\ E. Reciprocity ensures strict enforcement of leadership rules.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Reciprocity is a central value in Maisin society, shaping behaviors such as sharing food, gifts, and resources to maintain social harmony.* **29. What is the primary purpose of the "falling down rule" in Maisin society?**\ A. To enforce social hierarchy through public performance.\ B. To demonstrate the inevitability of communal failure.\ C. To symbolize individual strength in the face of danger.\ D. To reflect deeply ingrained reciprocity and solidarity norms.\ E. To highlight the importance of spiritual intervention during crises.\ **Correct Answer: D**\ *Explanation: The "falling down rule" reflects reciprocity and solidarity, showing that actions are performed out of ingrained social expectations.* **30. How do Skinwalkers symbolize malevolence in Navajo beliefs?**\ A. They emphasize the inevitability of natural misfortunes.\ B. They connect familial betrayal with supernatural consequences.\ C. They represent beings who intentionally disrupt harmony.\ D. They reflect the role of communal rituals in maintaining balance.\ E. They embody positive aspects of spiritual transformation.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Skinwalkers are seen as malevolent beings who intentionally harm others, disrupting the balance central to Navajo beliefs.* **31. Why are small-scale economies closely tied to beliefs in witchcraft?**\ A. They rely heavily on formalized legal systems.\ B. They encourage competition over communal resources.\ C. They depend on reciprocity, which is disrupted by jealousy and misfortune.\ D. They limit the influence of spiritual explanations for misfortune.\ E. They focus exclusively on material wealth as a marker of success.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Witchcraft beliefs often arise in small-scale economies where reciprocity is central, as misfortune or jealousy can threaten communal harmony.* **32. How does the Maisin concept of daa create social accountability?**\ A. It eliminates the need for formal leadership.\ B. It assigns blame to external forces, absolving individuals.\ C. It links mistakes to disruptions in reciprocity, prompting resolutions.\ D. It discourages individuals from engaging in ritual practices.\ E. It promotes the idea that accidents are inevitable.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: The concept of daa ties mistakes to reciprocity violations, encouraging individuals to address and correct disruptions in social harmony.* **33. How does witchcraft provide explanations for misfortune in Azande society?**\ A. Witchcraft serves as a random justification for events.\ B. Witchcraft is ignored in favor of economic explanations.\ C. Witchcraft offers a moral framework for understanding harm.\ D. Witchcraft creates divisions between social groups.\ E. Witchcraft eliminates the need for interpersonal accountability.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Azande witchcraft explains misfortune within a moral framework, attributing harm to interpersonal dynamics rather than random occurrences.* **34. Why are Azande oracles essential in maintaining order?**\ A. Oracles prevent communities from engaging in violent disputes.\ B. Oracles discourage reliance on reciprocal relationships.\ C. Oracles resolve disputes by revealing supernatural causes.\ D. Oracles function only as symbolic tools during rituals.\ E. Oracles replace traditional laws with communal agreements.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Oracles are central in Azande society, as they reveal the causes of misfortune and help resolve conflicts through supernatural explanations.* **35. How do leadership roles emerge in egalitarian Maisin society?**\ A. Leaders are chosen for their physical strength and wealth.\ B. Leaders inherit authority through family lineage.\ C. Leadership is temporary and based on mobilizing communal support.\ D. Leaders rely on formal legal systems to enforce rules.\ E. Leadership is tied to ritualistic ceremonies.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Leadership in Maisin society is temporary and based on situational needs, relying on the ability to mobilize community support.* **36. How does Azande witchcraft resolve interpersonal conflicts?**\ A. By punishing individuals responsible for wrongdoing.\ B. By attributing harm to supernatural causes, defusing tension.\ C. By promoting forgiveness without further investigation.\ D. By eliminating the need for rituals or ceremonies.\ E. By enforcing strict hierarchical rules.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: Azande witchcraft resolves conflicts by attributing harm to supernatural causes, which helps defuse interpersonal tensions.* **37. How does Navajo belief in witchcraft address modern issues like money problems?**\ A. By replacing traditional explanations with modern economic theories.\ B. By connecting financial troubles to interpersonal jealousy and harm.\ C. By attributing financial issues to divine punishment.\ D. By focusing on collective responsibility for economic failures.\ E. By discouraging reliance on traditional spiritual explanations.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: In Navajo beliefs, financial problems are often attributed to witchcraft, connecting them to jealousy or malevolent intent.* **38. How does gossip in Maisin society promote sharing behavior?**\ A. Gossip ensures accusations are dealt with formally.\ B. Gossip encourages individuals to isolate from the group.\ C. Gossip subtly pressures individuals to conform to reciprocity norms.\ D. Gossip discourages the public display of generosity.\ E. Gossip replaces rituals as a form of social control.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: Gossip in Maisin society shames those who deviate from sharing norms, indirectly encouraging conformity and communal generosity.* **39. How does the Navajo belief in photography as a physical manifestation influence practices?**\ A. It discourages traditional ceremonial participation.\ B. It prevents the use of modern technologies in rituals.\ C. It reinforces the importance of balance and protection.\ D. It encourages outsiders to adopt Navajo traditions.\ E. It reduces the role of ancestral practices in daily life.\ **Correct Answer: C**\ *Explanation: The belief that photographs are physical manifestations connects to the Navajo focus on protection and maintaining balance.* **40. How do egalitarian societies like the Maisin maintain political order without centralized power?**\ A. By relying on formalized legal systems.\ B. Through temporary leadership roles and reciprocity norms.\ C. By allowing individuals to act independently without consequences.\ D. Through strict enforcement of hierarchical structures.\ E. By discouraging social control mechanisms like gossip.\ **Correct Answer: B**\ *Explanation: Egalitarian societies like the Maisin maintain order through temporary leadership roles, gossip, and strong reciprocity norms.*