ANTH Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is ethnography in cultural anthropology?
- A qualitative research method involving immersive participant observation and in-depth study of a culture from the insider's perspective (Correct answer)
- A type of map
- A census of ethnic groups
- A classification of languages
Correct answer: A qualitative research method involving immersive participant observation and in-depth study of a culture from the insider's perspective
Ethnography involves extended immersion in a community through participant observation, interviews, and documentation to produce a detailed, holistic account of a culture's beliefs, practices, and social organization from an insider (emic) perspective.
Question 2: What is ethnocentrism versus cultural relativism?
- Ethnocentrism judges other cultures by one's own standards; cultural relativism understands practices within their own cultural context (Correct answer)
- They mean the same thing
- Ethnocentrism is always correct
- Cultural relativism means all practices are morally equal
Correct answer: Ethnocentrism judges other cultures by one's own standards; cultural relativism understands practices within their own cultural context
Ethnocentrism evaluates other cultures using one's own cultural standards as the norm (often leading to bias), while cultural relativism seeks to understand cultural practices within their own context and meaning system.
Question 3: What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
- The theory that language influences thought and perception — the structure of a language affects its speakers' worldview (Correct answer)
- Language has no effect on thought
- All languages express identical concepts
- Only written language affects thinking
Correct answer: The theory that language influences thought and perception — the structure of a language affects its speakers' worldview
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (linguistic relativity) proposes that language structure influences cognition and perception. The strong version claims language determines thought; the weak version claims it influences thought patterns.
Question 4: What is kinship in anthropology?
- Systems of social relationships based on blood ties and marriage that organize family structure, inheritance, and social obligations (Correct answer)
- Only biological family relationships
- A type of political organization
- Friendship networks in a society
Correct answer: Systems of social relationships based on blood ties and marriage that organize family structure, inheritance, and social obligations
Kinship systems define social relationships through blood (consanguinity) and marriage (affinity), organizing social groups, determining inheritance patterns, establishing responsibilities, and regulating marriage through incest taboos and exogamy/endogamy rules.
Question 5: What is archaeology's contribution to anthropology?
- Studying past human cultures through material remains (artifacts, structures, landscapes) to understand cultural change over time (Correct answer)
- Only studying dinosaur fossils
- Only excavating Egyptian pyramids
- Only finding buried treasure
Correct answer: Studying past human cultures through material remains (artifacts, structures, landscapes) to understand cultural change over time
Archaeology studies past human behavior through material culture — artifacts (tools, pottery), ecofacts (seeds, bones), features (hearths, walls), and sites — reconstructing how people lived, organized societies, and adapted to environments.
Question 6: What is applied anthropology?
- Using anthropological methods and insights to address real-world problems in development, health, education, and policy (Correct answer)
- Only theoretical academic research
- Applying for anthropology graduate programs
- Publishing anthropology textbooks
Correct answer: Using anthropological methods and insights to address real-world problems in development, health, education, and policy
Applied anthropology uses ethnographic research, cultural analysis, and anthropological perspectives to solve practical problems in areas including international development, public health, education, business, and environmental conservation.
ANTH Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology 1
What is ethnography in cultural anthropology?