MH Anthropology 3

Question 1

In structural-functionalism, A.R. Radcliffe-Brown argued that social institutions should be understood primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Their function in maintaining social structure

Answer

Radcliffe-Brown held that social institutions exist to maintain social structure and solidarity, analogous to organs maintaining a biological organism.

Question 2

Which concept describes the practice of marrying outside one's own defined social group?

Accepted Answer

Exogamy

Answer

Exogamy requires individuals to marry outside their own clan, lineage, or community, which is common in many societies as a way to build inter-group alliances.

Question 3

The 'culture of poverty' thesis, associated with Oscar Lewis, has been criticized primarily because:

Accepted Answer

It blamed the poor for structural economic inequalities

Answer

Critics argue that Lewis's thesis incorrectly attributed poverty to internalized cultural values rather than systemic economic and political structures.

Question 4

Paleoanthropology is primarily concerned with:

Accepted Answer

The biological and cultural evolution of early humans

Answer

Paleoanthropology studies human origins and evolution through fossil evidence, stone tools, and other physical remains of early hominins.

Question 5

Marcel Mauss's concept of the 'total social fact' suggests that social phenomena:

Accepted Answer

Simultaneously involve multiple dimensions of social life

Answer

A total social fact, like the gift, is simultaneously economic, legal, moral, religious, and aesthetic, touching every dimension of social life at once.

MH - Master of Humanities Practice Test

MH - Master of Humanities Practice Test

MH Anthropology 3