Week 9 Updated - Lecture Slides Test Bank PDF

**1. In Maisin culture, what is the primary role of sorcery beliefs?**\ a) To reject the existence of spiritual entities.\ b) To provide rational explanations for natural disasters.\ c) To explain misfortune and suggest resolutions.\ d) To encourage individualism in a reciprocal society.\ e) To prom...

**1. In Maisin culture, what is the primary role of sorcery beliefs?**\ a) To reject the existence of spiritual entities.\ b) To provide rational explanations for natural disasters.\ c) To explain misfortune and suggest resolutions.\ d) To encourage individualism in a reciprocal society.\ e) To promote economic prosperity through rituals. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Sorcery beliefs among the Maisin explain misfortune when other alternatives fail and propose actions for resolution, reflecting their focus on reciprocity (Barker 2016). **2. What does the Navajo concept of hozho emphasize?**\ a) The inevitability of suffering.\ b) Balance, harmony, and beauty as protection against harm.\ c) The rejection of spiritual explanations for misfortune.\ d) The dominance of witchcraft over daily life.\ e) The need for centralized political power. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Hozho represents the Navajo ideal of balance, harmony, and beauty, which provides protection from witchcraft and other misfortunes. **3. How do the Azande use oracles in their belief system?**\ a) To predict agricultural success.\ b) To explain and address grievances.\ c) To enforce centralized political control.\ d) To prevent individuals from accumulating wealth.\ e) To reject spiritual practices. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Among the Azande, oracles and magic are used to explain misfortunes, confirm the cause of harm, and suggest remedies, maintaining social harmony in decentralized societies. **4. What triggers sorcery accusations in Maisin society?**\ a) Excessive sharing of resources.\ b) Violations of hozho.\ c) Success in gardening or relationships, or failure to share resources.\ d) Disrespecting leaders during ceremonies.\ e) Failing to adhere to gossip norms. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Maisin sorcery accusations arise from jealousy, theft, failure to share, or perceived provocations disrupting reciprocity, such as success in valued activities (Barker 2016). **5. What role does gossip play in Maisin society?**\ a) It is a primary method for selecting leaders.\ b) It serves as a direct accusation of wrongdoing.\ c) It indirectly enforces social norms by shaming individuals.\ d) It is discouraged as disruptive to community harmony.\ e) It replaces formal legal mechanisms. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Gossip enforces conformity in Maisin society by indirectly shaming individuals, ensuring adherence to social norms in the absence of formal accusations. **6. How does the Maisin concept of a ttamati bejji ("big man") differ from leaders in the New Guinea Highlands?**\ a) Maisin leaders accumulate large pig herds.\ b) Maisin leaders manage ceremonial exchanges.\ c) Maisin leaders are egalitarian and temporary.\ d) Maisin leaders hold permanent and hereditary positions.\ e) Maisin leaders are exclusively women. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Maisin leaders, or ttamati bejji, are egalitarian, temporary figures who emerge to mobilize support during specific circumstances. **7. What is a key characteristic of egalitarian leadership among the Maisin?**\ a) Leaders are distinguished by their wealth and inheritance.\ b) Leadership is permanent and centralized.\ c) Leaders emerge temporarily and are typically middle-aged, strong men.\ d) Women are excluded from leadership roles.\ e) Leaders dominate through fear and coercion. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Egalitarian leadership among the Maisin is temporary, with leaders emerging based on their ability to mobilize support, often being middle-aged, strong men (or occasionally women). **8. What does the Maisin \"falling down rule\" illustrate?**\ a) A rejection of reciprocity norms.\ b) Ritualized mockery of accidents.\ c) Deeply ingrained norms of reciprocity and mutual support.\ d) The ceremonial role of leaders in rescuing individuals.\ e) The failure of informal social control mechanisms. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The \"falling down rule,\" where individuals mimic the actions of someone in need before assisting them, reflects the deeply ingrained reciprocity norms of Maisin society. **9. What distinguishes Navajo witchcraft from Maisin sorcery?**\ a) Navajo witchcraft avoids physical rituals.\ b) Navajo witchcraft involves harmony, while Maisin sorcery involves jealousy.\ c) Navajo witchcraft uses powders and carved images, while Maisin sorcery focuses on reciprocity disruptions.\ d) Navajo witchcraft is egalitarian, while Maisin sorcery is hierarchical.\ e) Navajo witchcraft only explains natural disasters. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Navajo witchcraft practices involve harmful powders and carved images, whereas Maisin sorcery centers on disruptions in reciprocity (daa). **10. How do political structures in small-scale societies typically operate?**\ a) Through centralized, hereditary leadership.\ b) Based on formal laws and written codes.\ c) Through egalitarian principles and informal leadership.\ d) Dominated by religious authorities.\ e) Governed by external colonial powers. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Small-scale societies, like the Maisin and Azande, operate through egalitarian principles with informal, temporary leadership and emphasis on mutual obligations. **11. What are Skinwalkers (yee naaldlooshii) in Navajo beliefs?**\ a) Benevolent spirits protecting against harm.\ b) Half-animal, half-human beings believed to cause harm.\ c) Ancestral figures representing harmony.\ d) Mythological beings tied to agricultural success.\ e) Divine guardians of Navajo rituals. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Skinwalkers are supernatural beings in Navajo beliefs, often described as half-animal, half-human entities capable of causing harm. **12. What is the significance of the Maisin term daa in their cultural context?**\ a) It represents blessings granted by spirits.\ b) It refers to mistakes or provocations that disrupt reciprocity.\ c) It symbolizes acts of generosity within the community.\ d) It describes the hierarchy of leadership roles.\ e) It represents a ritual chant used during ceremonies. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** The Maisin term daa refers to mistakes or provocations, such as jealousy or failure to share, that disrupt reciprocity and may trigger sorcery accusations. **13. How do the Azande maintain social order through their belief in witchcraft?**\ a) By centralizing power under religious leaders.\ b) By ignoring grievances and focusing on rituals.\ c) By using oracles and magic to address grievances and restore harmony.\ d) By outlawing accusations of witchcraft.\ e) By relying on external colonial authorities for mediation. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The Azande use oracles and magic to identify the causes of misfortune and resolve grievances, which helps maintain social harmony in their decentralized society. **14. What is a key feature of small-scale societies where sorcery beliefs are prevalent?**\ a) They rely on large-scale industrial economies.\ b) They have centralized political systems with strong leaders.\ c) They emphasize reciprocity, subsistence economies, and egalitarianism.\ d) They prioritize individual success over communal well-being.\ e) They have formal legal systems with written codes. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Small-scale societies with sorcery beliefs, such as the Azande and Maisin, are characterized by subsistence economies, reciprocity-based structures, and egalitarian political systems. **15. Why is photography controversial among traditional Navajo people?**\ a) It violates religious doctrines prohibiting images.\ b) It is believed to disrupt natural harmony and balance.\ c) Images are considered physical manifestations vulnerable to sympathetic magic.\ d) Photography is seen as a Western practice with no spiritual significance.\ e) It replaces traditional art forms in Navajo culture. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** In Navajo beliefs, photographs are viewed as physical manifestations of individuals, making them susceptible to harm through sympathetic magic. **16. What is the function of reciprocity in Maisin society?**\ a) It enforces hierarchy and leadership structures.\ b) It fosters competition among individuals.\ c) It reinforces social harmony and mutual obligations.\ d) It reduces the significance of communal norms.\ e) It creates economic independence for individuals. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Reciprocity is central to Maisin society, ensuring social harmony and mutual support through norms that discourage individualism and emphasize communal obligations. **17. What role do big men play in Maisin political structure?**\ a) They permanently govern all community decisions.\ b) They emerge temporarily to mobilize support when needed.\ c) They enforce formal laws and punish violations.\ d) They manage ceremonial exchanges involving large pig herds.\ e) They represent hereditary leadership passed through families. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Big men in Maisin society are temporary leaders who emerge as needed to mobilize community support, reflecting egalitarian values. **18. Why are gifts like betel nut or tobacco important in Maisin etiquette?**\ a) They symbolize hierarchical relationships within the community.\ b) They demonstrate compliance with spiritual rituals.\ c) They uphold reciprocity norms and avoid gossip about the giver.\ d) They serve as payment for community services.\ e) They are required for formal leadership approval. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Small gifts, such as betel nut or tobacco, are essential in Maisin etiquette to uphold reciprocity norms and avoid gossip, which enforces social conformity. **19. What is the primary explanation for misfortune in Azande culture?**\ a) Natural causes unrelated to human behavior.\ b) Violations of social norms and reciprocity.\ c) Witchcraft, confirmed through oracles and magic.\ d) Disrespect for political leaders and centralized authorities.\ e) Punishment from deities for lack of offerings. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Witchcraft is the central explanation for misfortune in Azande culture, often confirmed through oracles and magic to identify its source and propose remedies. **20. How does egalitarianism manifest in Maisin leadership?**\ a) Leaders are required to hoard wealth for the community.\ b) Leadership is hereditary and concentrated among a few families.\ c) Leaders are seen as equals who only stand out in specific circumstances.\ d) Leaders exercise permanent control over decision-making.\ e) Leaders rely on formalized rituals to maintain power. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Egalitarianism in Maisin leadership ensures that leaders, or big men, are considered equals who emerge temporarily during specific needs, reflecting communal values. **21. What is the purpose of the Azande oracle in resolving disputes?**\ a) To predict future events unrelated to current grievances.\ b) To enforce a centralized political authority.\ c) To identify the cause of harm and suggest remedies.\ d) To establish strict legal codes.\ e) To validate supernatural beliefs over practical solutions. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The Azande oracle helps resolve disputes by identifying the source of harm and providing guidance for addressing grievances, thus maintaining social order. **22. How do Maisin sorcerers derive their power?**\ a) By accumulating wealth and ceremonial items.\ b) By existing in both the living and spiritual worlds.\ c) By engaging in agricultural success and sharing resources.\ d) By leading formal rituals for the entire community.\ e) By inheriting their roles through familial lines. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Maisin sorcerers are believed to draw their power from their ability to exist in both the living and spiritual realms, embodying a connection between the two worlds. **23. What is one reason success can trigger sorcery accusations in Maisin society?**\ a) Success disrupts the egalitarian political system.\ b) Success is seen as evidence of hozho.\ c) Success can provoke jealousy and accusations of daa.\ d) Success signifies a lack of reciprocity in leadership.\ e) Success is tied to violations of ceremonial traditions. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Success in activities like gardening or relationships can provoke jealousy and lead to accusations of daa, or mistakes, disrupting the balance of reciprocity. **24. What is the role of reciprocity in the Maisin "falling down rule"?**\ a) It emphasizes the importance of gossip in social interactions.\ b) It discourages acts of kindness among community members.\ c) It demonstrates mutual support and unspoken social norms.\ d) It replaces formalized rituals for resolving disputes.\ e) It discourages unnecessary intervention in accidents. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The "falling down rule" illustrates reciprocity by reflecting unspoken norms of mutual support, where actions are performed simply because they are seen as the right thing to do. **25. What does the Maisin "falling down rule" illustrate about their cultural values?**\ a) The preference for individual problem-solving over communal efforts.\ b) The rejection of ritualized reciprocity norms.\ c) The expectation of immediate communal support in times of need.\ d) The importance of gossip in enforcing social behavior.\ e) The failure of formal leadership to address emergencies. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** The "falling down rule," where individuals mimic someone's accident before helping them, reflects the Maisin expectation of immediate communal support as part of deeply ingrained reciprocity norms. **26. Which of the following is NOT a common feature of small-scale societies with sorcery beliefs?**\ a) Subsistence economies based on farming and hunting.\ b) Centralized political systems with hereditary leaders.\ c) Emphasis on reciprocity to maintain social harmony.\ d) Informal and egalitarian leadership structures.\ e) Use of spiritual explanations for misfortune. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Small-scale societies with sorcery beliefs typically lack centralized political systems, instead relying on informal, egalitarian leadership and reciprocity-based structures. **27. How do sorcerers in Maisin society derive their power?**\ a) By acquiring large amounts of wealth through ceremonial exchanges.\ b) By manipulating both the living and spiritual worlds.\ c) By serving as hereditary leaders with divine authority.\ d) By practicing formal religious rituals to ensure harmony.\ e) By eliminating the need for reciprocity within the community. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Maisin sorcerers are believed to exist in both the living and spiritual realms, granting them power that is both feared and respected in their society. **28. What is the connection between Navajo photography beliefs and sympathetic magic?**\ a) Photographs are seen as aesthetic objects without spiritual significance.\ b) Images are considered physical manifestations that can be used to harm individuals.\ c) Photography is exclusively a modern practice with no link to traditional beliefs.\ d) Photographs are treated as sacred artifacts tied to religious rituals.\ e) Photography is seen as a threat to community harmony rather than individuals. **Correct Answer:** b\ **Explanation:** Among traditional Navajo people, photographs are considered physical manifestations, making them vulnerable to harm through the principles of sympathetic magic. **29. How does the use of oracles in Azande culture address social grievances?**\ a) By providing entertainment and distraction from disputes.\ b) By enforcing laws through centralized authorities.\ c) By identifying the cause of harm and prescribing remedies.\ d) By discouraging accusations of witchcraft altogether.\ e) By formalizing disputes into legally binding agreements. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Oracles in Azande culture help identify the source of harm and offer solutions, playing a central role in addressing grievances and maintaining social harmony. **30. How does gossip function as a tool for social control among the Maisin?**\ a) By directly accusing individuals of wrongdoing.\ b) By fostering competition among community members.\ c) By indirectly enforcing conformity through shame.\ d) By replacing the role of leaders in dispute resolution.\ e) By discouraging reciprocity and community cooperation. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Gossip indirectly enforces social norms in Maisin society by shaming individuals who violate expectations, ensuring conformity in a close-knit community. **31. In what way do the Maisin emphasize reciprocity during social interactions?**\ a) By exchanging formalized contracts in every interaction.\ b) By ensuring guests always receive larger gifts than they give.\ c) By bringing small gifts, like tobacco, and hosting feasts for communal support.\ d) By prioritizing personal achievements over social obligations.\ e) By discouraging the sharing of resources outside immediate family. **Correct Answer:** c\ **Explanation:** Reciprocity among the Maisin is exemplified through practices like bringing small gifts to visits and hosting communal feasts to maintain social harmony.