Chapter 01
What is Anthropology?

Multiple Choice Questions
 
1. Ethnography is 
A. the firsthand, personal study of local settings.
B. the process by which culture is learned and transmitted across generations.
C. the study of interrelationships among all living things in an environment.
D. a policy aimed at removing groups that are culturally different from a country.
E. the cross-cultural comparison of cultural data.

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
2. Anthropology's comparative, biocultural perspective 
A. allows the inclusion of both biological and cultural approaches to comment on or solve a particular issue or problem.
B. is the reason it has traditionally studied nonindustrialized societies.
C. is insignificant, since evolution is studied by biological anthropologists, while culture is studied by cultural anthropologists.
D. is a product of the participant observation approach.
E. places it in the humanities.

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Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology

 
3. Ethnology is 
A. the study of human speech sounds.
B. the comparative, generalizing aspect of cultural anthropology.
C. the most important subfield of anthropology.
D. the study of ancient ethnic groups.
E. a synonym for ethnography.

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
4. The four main subdisciplines of anthropology consist of 
A. medical anthropology, ethnography, ethnology, and cultural anthropology.
B. archaeology, biological anthropology, applied linguistics, and applied anthropology.
C. biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, cultural anthropology, and archaeology.
D. genetic anthropology, physical anthropology, psychological anthropology, and linguistic anthropology.
E. primatology, ethnology, cultural anthropology, and paleopathology.

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
5. Archaeologists study 
A. language.
B. race.
C. biological adaptation.
D. modern cultural diversity.
E. material remains.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology

 
6. Anorexia Nervosa is a Western diagnosis that 
A. was originally used for a condition found in children in East Asia.
B. refers to a biologically specific syndrome.
C. has only recently been used in China.
D. refers to a condition discovered in the earliest hominins.
E. refers to a condition generally confused with a milder malady called Mal de Ojo.

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Identify the kinds of work in which applied anthropologists from all four subfields (as well as applied medical anthropology) typically engage and the aspects of anthropology that make the discipline uniquely valuable in understanding and addressing social problems.
Topic: Applied anthropology
 
7. Four-field anthropology does not claim ________ as a distinctive feature. 
A. its holistic approach
B. broad cross-cultural comparisons
C. the study of human biology, culture, and language
D. both scientific and humanistic dimensions
E. an exclusive focus on contemporary cultures

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
8. Biological anthropologists study all of the following EXCEPT 
A. ancient languages.
B. human biological plasticity.
C. primates.
D. human evolution.
E. human genetics.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology

 
9. The study of interactions among past living things in a past environment is 
A. paleoanthropology.
B. paleoecology.
C. garbology.
D. social archaeology.
E. adaptive anthropology.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
10. Which of the following statements is NOT true? 
A. "Anthropology is the exploration of human diversity in time and space."
B. "Anthropology studies the whole of the human condition."
C. "Anthropologists focus in part on the diversity that arises through human adaptability."
D. "Anthropology's biocultural approach entails finding evolutionary explanations for all human behaviors."
E. "Anthropology offers a comparative, cross-cultural perspective to the study of the human condition."

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology
 
11. Which of the following statements is a distinction between culture and society? 
A. "Culture is the result of higher education, whereas society is shared by all people."
B. "People share society with other animals, but culture is distinctly human."
C. "Culture is genetically programmed, whereas society is transmitted through social learning."
D. "People attain culture through international travel but society is the social environment of their native land."
E. "Society rests more upon certain features of human biology than does culture."

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology

 
12. ________ defines the processes by which organisms cope with environmental forces and stresses. 
A. Ethnology
B. Ethnography
C. Cultural resource management
D. Adaptation
E. Phenotype

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Know the four primary types of human adaptation and consider why their interrelationship has been particularly important for the human species.
Topic: Types of human adaptation
 
13. The tendency of people living in the Peruvian Andes to develop a voluminous chest and lungs for life at very high altitudes is an example of a(n) 
A. genetic adaptation.
B. long-term physiological adaptation.
C. short-term physiological adaptation.
D. cultural adaptation.
E. archaeological adaptation.

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Know the four primary types of human adaptation and consider why their interrelationship has been particularly important for the human species.
Topic: Types of human adaptation
 
14. The pressurized cabin of an airplane flying at high altitude is an example of a(n) 
A. genetic adaptation.
B. long-term physiological adaptation.
C. short-term physiological adaptation.
D. cultural adaptation.
E. archaeological adaptation.

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Know the four primary types of human adaptation and consider why their interrelationship has been particularly important for the human species.
Topic: Types of human adaptation

 
15. A systematic field of study that uses experiment, observation, and deduction to produce reliable explanations of phenomena is 
A. culture.
B. religion.
C. a humanity.
D. science.
E. folklore.

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand why anthropology is considered a social science; how it integrates scientific and humanistic perspectives; and the role that the scientific method plays in structuring anthropological research and explanation.
Topic: Anthropology as a social science
 
16. The question, ________, was important in the origins of American anthropology. 
A. "How are the Neandertals related to us?"
B. "Where did Native Americans come from?"
C. "When and where did food production first begin?"
D. "How much beer do people in Arizona drink today?"
E. "Where do ideals of attractiveness come from?"

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
17. A biocultural perspective is 
A. the notion that humans no longer rely on biological adaptation.
B. the inclusion of both biological and cultural approaches.
C. using the fact that culture is completely dominant over biological change.
D. synonymous with scientific research.
E. the idea that girls should be gymnasts and boys should play football.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Learning Objective: Understand why anthropology is considered a social science; how it integrates scientific and humanistic perspectives; and the role that the scientific method plays in structuring anthropological research and explanation.
Topic: Anthropology as a social science
Topic: Defining anthropology

 
18. ________ is LEAST likely to send female swimmers to the Olympics. 
A. The United States
B. Germany
C. The Netherlands
D. Norway
E. Brazil

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand how culture can determine the body shapes of individuals.
Topic: Cultural influences on body shapes
 
19. Rathje's garbology project 
A. studies the stratification of landfills.
B. is archaeology of modern people.
C. answered the question why people leave things behind for archaeologists to find.
D. is a study of potsherds.
E. was conducted in ancient Egypt.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Identify the kinds of work in which applied anthropologists from all four subfields (as well as applied medical anthropology) typically engage and the aspects of anthropology that make the discipline uniquely valuable in understanding and addressing social problems.
Topic: Applied anthropology
 
20. A scientist who studies the fossil record of human evolution is a(n) 
A. paleoanthropologist.
B. archaeologist.
C. ethnologist.
D. treasure hunter.
E. primatologist.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology

 
21. The study of the relationships between social and linguistic variation is 
A. historic linguistics.
B. applied linguistics.
C. cultural resource management.
D. adaptation.
E. sociolinguistics.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
22. The use of anthropological findings, concepts, and methods to accomplish a desired end is 
A. applied anthropology.
B. economic anthropology.
C. conceptual anthropology.
D. sociobiology.
E. participant observation.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Identify the kinds of work in which applied anthropologists from all four subfields (as well as applied medical anthropology) typically engage and the aspects of anthropology that make the discipline uniquely valuable in understanding and addressing social problems.
Topic: Applied anthropology
 
23. Cultural resource management is an example of applied 
A. ethnology.
B. biological anthropology.
C. archaeology.
D. linguistic anthropology.
E. ethnography.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Identify the kinds of work in which applied anthropologists from all four subfields (as well as applied medical anthropology) typically engage and the aspects of anthropology that make the discipline uniquely valuable in understanding and addressing social problems.
Topic: Applied anthropology

 
24. Anthropology is a holistic discipline because it 
A. has traditionally focused on nonindustrial societies.
B. deals with human culture.
C. does not attempt to make generalizations about humanity.
D. now focuses on industrial societies.
E. studies human biological, cultural, and linguistic variation across both time and space.

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology
 
25. If an anthropologist is studying ethnic-religious conflict in contemporary Sri Lanka, he or she is most likely a(n) 
A. cultural anthropologist.
B. linguistic anthropologist.
C. paleoanthropologist.
D. archaeological anthropologist.
E. biological anthropologist.

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology

Essay Questions
 
26. Identify the themes and interests that unify the subdisciplines of American anthropology. Your answer should refer to historical reasons for the unity of anthropology in the United States. 
Answers will vary

Bloom's: Apply
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology

 
27. Define ethnography and ethnology. Discuss the importance of each, as well as their relationship in the field of anthropology. 
Answers will vary

Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
28. Identify the four subdisciplines of anthropology. Define each and give one example of something each might study. 
Answers will vary

Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
29. Discuss ways that culture can change the growth and development of an individual's physical body. Include at least one example. 
Answers will vary

Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Understand how culture can determine the body shapes of individuals.
Topic: Cultural influences on body shapes

 
30. List and describe at least three types of remains that archaeologists could study. Discuss what archaeologists could learn from each type. 
Answers will vary

Bloom's: Apply
Learning Objective: Identify the kinds of work in which applied anthropologists from all four subfields (as well as applied medical anthropology) typically engage and the aspects of anthropology that make the discipline uniquely valuable in understanding and addressing social problems.
Topic: Applied anthropology
 
31. Discuss anthropology's dual identity as a member of the social sciences and the humanities. Define the advantages that may be found in this dual identity. 
Answers will vary

Bloom's: Apply
Learning Objective: Understand why anthropology is considered a social science; how it integrates scientific and humanistic perspectives; and the role that the scientific method plays in structuring anthropological research and explanation.
Topic: Anthropology as a social science
 
32. Identify the four primary types of human adaptation. Discuss why their interrelationship has been particularly important for the human species. 
Answers will vary

Bloom's: Apply
Learning Objective: Know the four primary types of human adaptation and consider why their interrelationship has been particularly important for the human species.
Topic: Types of human adaptation

 
33. Name the various kinds of work applied anthropologists pursue. Provide one example for each subfield. Discuss the aspects of anthropology that make it uniquely valuable in application to social problems. 
Answers will vary

Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Identify the kinds of work in which applied anthropologists from all four subfields (as well as applied medical anthropology) typically engage and the aspects of anthropology that make the discipline uniquely valuable in understanding and addressing social problems.
Topic: Applied anthropology

True / False Questions
 
34. Anthropologists study only non-Western cultures. 
FALSE

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology
 
35. Anthropology is unique in that it is both holistic and cross-cultural. 
TRUE

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology
 
36. Ethnomusicology is one of the main four subfields of anthropology. 
FALSE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology

 
37. Anthropologists would agree that a comparative, cross-cultural approach is not necessary as long as you are diligent in your work. 
FALSE

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Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology
 
38. Linguistic anthropologists study how languages vary in time and space, and how language and culture influence each other. 
TRUE

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Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
39. Ethnography involves the collection of data that become the basis for an account of a particular community, society, or culture. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
40. Anthropologists use the term society to refer to customs and traditions passed from generation to generation through learning. 
FALSE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology

 
41. Academic anthropology refers to the use of anthropological knowledge and methods to identify and solve social problems. 
FALSE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand why anthropology is considered a social science; how it integrates scientific and humanistic perspectives; and the role that the scientific method plays in structuring anthropological research and explanation.
Topic: Anthropology as a social science
 
42. The study of material remains like potsherds, buildings, ships, and garbage falls under the subdiscipline of archaeological anthropology. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
43. The origin of American anthropology can be traced to an interest in the origins and diversity of Native Americans. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
44. Ethnology is the process of living with a culture for a long time to describe that one culture fully. 
FALSE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology

 
45. Humans use both biological and cultural means to adapt to new environments. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Know the four primary types of human adaptation and consider why their interrelationship has been particularly important for the human species.
Topic: Types of human adaptation
 
46. Primatology is included in biological anthropology. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Be able to identify; distinguish; and describe the four subfields of American anthropology; Know; for example; what distinguishes ethnography and ethnology.
Topic: Subfields of U.S. anthropology
 
47. Archaeologists only study past cultures. 
FALSE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Understand what is meant by the statement that anthropology is the holistic and comparative study of humanity.
Topic: Defining anthropology
 
48. The term enculturation refers to the process through which children learn culture. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Remember
Learning Objective: Know the four primary types of human adaptation and consider why their interrelationship has been particularly important for the human species.
Topic: Types of human adaptation

 
49. The experience of hyperventilation upon reaching a high-altitude environment illustrates a long-term physiological adaptation to high altitude. 
FALSE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Know the four primary types of human adaptation and consider why their interrelationship has been particularly important for the human species.
Topic: Types of human adaptation
 
50. Culture is not itself biological, but it rests on certain features of human biology. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's: Understand
Learning Objective: Understand how culture can determine the body shapes of individuals.
Topic: Cultural influences on body shapes