Question 1

What is ethnocentrism and how does it make it more difficult to understand other cultures? What kind of perspective should we adopt instead?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism causes us to judge other groups and individuals by using our own culture as a yardstick for normality, thus making any other culture "abnormal." This attitude also makes it more difficult for us to see the strangeness in our own culture. "Body Ritual among the Nacirema" may be mentioned to make this point. We should adopt the attitude of cultural relativism instead of ethnocentrism because relativism forces us to judge each culture on its own terms, and it opens up a wider variety of views.

Question 2

In the article "Jihad vs. McWorld," Benjamin R. Barber points out that "in November of 1991 Switzerland's once insular culture boasted best-seller lists featuring Terminator 2 as the #1 movie, Scarlett as the #1 book, and Prince's Diamonds and Pearls as the #1 album." Many people worry that the prominence of American culture goes beyond the media and represents the wholesale imposition of American values on other cultures, which is a process called

Accepted Answer

A)   culture war.
B)   ideal culture.
C)   cultural imperialism.
D)   counterculture.E) A) and B)
F) C) and D)

Question 3

As a result of Western cultural imperialism, American media companies broadcast shows in other countries that may clash with the traditional cultural values of those countries. What are some examples of American cultural values exported through the media that people in non-Western parts of the world might find distasteful?

Accepted Answer

Examples could include materia...

Question 4

Many American colleges and universities require students to take classes on non-Western cultures. Why do these requirements exist?

Accepted Answer

A)   to demonstrate the value of multiculturalism and to reduce ethnocentrism
B)   to prepare students who will eventually work in other countries
C)   to offer international exchange students studying in America classes they will like
D)   to offer students fascinated by exotic cultures classes they will likeE) A) and B)
F) C) and D) A

Question 5

The famous anthropologist Margaret Mead said that the United States of America is the best place to raise a female child. Her assertion is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   preferring high culture to popular culture.
B)   ethnocentrism.
C)   cultural relativism.
D)   participating in culture wars.E) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 6

A cultural group that exists harmoniously within a larger, dominant culture is called a

Accepted Answer

A)   counterculture.
B)   cultural spin-off.
C)   subdominant culture.
D)   subculture.E) All of the above
F) B) and D)

Question 7

Although many people believe that expectations for personal space are inborn, members of many cultures are accustomed to noticeably less personal space than those of others. This helps demonstrate that people's expectations for personal space are

Accepted Answer

A)   the direct result of hormonal differences in the limbic system.
B)   usually negotiable and not all that difficult to change.
C)   a part of our culture and, as such, are learned rather than inborn.
D)   something that is inborn and more of an instinct than something learned.E) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 8

Himani thinks that religion consists of meaningful displays of values and norms that are created, maintained, and changed through social interaction. What perspective best describes Himani's views?

Accepted Answer

A)   structural functionalism
B)   conflict theory
C)   symbolic interactionism
D)   radicalizationE) B) and C)
F) None of the above

Question 9

The Japanese observed soldiers playing baseball during the American occupation of Japan after World War II and later adopted it as one of their pastimes. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   material culture.
B)   cultural diffusion.
C)   counterculture.
D)   culture war.E) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 10

How is culture shock useful in helping sociologists see that even what is most familiar to us can be bizarre?

Accepted Answer

We are dependent on culture fo...

Question 11

A man is listening to loud music and singing along in public. The people around him glare and frown at him in hopes that he will stop. The man ignores them, which indicates that he

Accepted Answer

A)   doesn't know that some activities are taboo.
B)   must be part of the dominant culture.
C)   is engaged in a culture war.
D)   doesn't seem to care about negative sanctions.E) B) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 12

The controversy surrounding North Carolina's 2016 HB2 law is an example of which of the following concepts?

Accepted Answer

A)   cultural diffusion
B)   cultural leveling
C)   cultural imperialism
D)   culture warsE) A) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 13

An example of something that would be part of the material culture of an individual or society would be

Accepted Answer

A)   weapons of war.
B)   democracy as a political system.
C)   belief in a supreme being.
D)   preference to have health rather than wealth.E) B) and C)
F) C) and D)

Question 14

Culture is a broad concept that sociologists typically divide into concepts associated with material culture and symbolic culture. List and describe the major components of symbolic culture.

Accepted Answer

The elements of symbolic culture fall in...

Question 15

Conflicts within mainstream society about which values and norms should be upheld are called

Accepted Answer

A)   culture wars.
B)   symbolic culture.
C)   counterculture.
D)   hegemony.E) B) and D)
F) C) and D)

Question 16

Informal norms are different from formal norms, in that

Accepted Answer

A)   informal norms are always followed.
B)   informal norms are legislated by the government.
C)   informal norms involve dress and etiquette.
D)   informal norms are implied and unwritten.E) B) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 17

Jill is visiting her boyfriend's family in China. She points at him with her index finger during a conversation, which his family doesn't seem to like. Her boyfriend later explains that she should point with an open hand instead of using a finger. Why is this instruction needed?

Accepted Answer

A)   The meaning of gestures is not universal.
B)   Jill was attempting to be rude to his family.
C)   Sanctions exist in China, but not in the United States where Jill is from.
D)   The action of pointing does not have symbolic meaning.E) B) and D)
F) A) and B) A

Question 18

The slogan "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   a moral escape.
B)   a moral holiday.
C)   mores.
D)   a sanction.E) None of the above
F) All of the above

Question 19

What is culture?

Accepted Answer

Culture is the entir...

Question 20

What is an example of ethnocentrism?

Accepted Answer

If we travel to another country, we may ...

Exam 3: Culture

What is ethnocentrism and how does it make it more difficult to understand other cultures? What kind of perspective should we adopt instead?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Examples could include materia...
View Answer

Many American colleges and universities require students to take classes on non-Western cultures. Why do these requirements exist?

Correct Answer
verified
A

The famous anthropologist Margaret Mead said that the United States of America is the best place to raise a female child. Her assertion is an example of

Correct Answer
verified

A cultural group that exists harmoniously within a larger, dominant culture is called a

Correct Answer
verified

Although many people believe that expectations for personal space are inborn, members of many cultures are accustomed to noticeably less personal space than those of others. This helps demonstrate that people's expectations for personal space are

Correct Answer
verified

Himani thinks that religion consists of meaningful displays of values and norms that are created, maintained, and changed through social interaction. What perspective best describes Himani's views?

Correct Answer
verified

The Japanese observed soldiers playing baseball during the American occupation of Japan after World War II and later adopted it as one of their pastimes. This is an example of

Correct Answer
verified

How is culture shock useful in helping sociologists see that even what is most familiar to us can be bizarre?

Correct Answer
verified
We are dependent on culture fo...
View Answer

A man is listening to loud music and singing along in public. The people around him glare and frown at him in hopes that he will stop. The man ignores them, which indicates that he

Correct Answer
verified

The controversy surrounding North Carolina's 2016 HB2 law is an example of which of the following concepts?

Correct Answer
verified

An example of something that would be part of the material culture of an individual or society would be

Correct Answer
verified

Culture is a broad concept that sociologists typically divide into concepts associated with material culture and symbolic culture. List and describe the major components of symbolic culture.

Correct Answer
verified
The elements of symbolic culture fall in...
View Answer

Conflicts within mainstream society about which values and norms should be upheld are called

Correct Answer
verified

Informal norms are different from formal norms, in that

Correct Answer
verified

Jill is visiting her boyfriend's family in China. She points at him with her index finger during a conversation, which his family doesn't seem to like. Her boyfriend later explains that she should point with an open hand instead of using a finger. Why is this instruction needed?

Correct Answer
verified
A

The slogan "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" is an example of

Correct Answer
verified

What is culture?

Correct Answer
verified
Culture is the entir...
View Answer

What is an example of ethnocentrism?

Correct Answer
verified
If we travel to another country, we may ...
View Answer

Exam 3: Culture

What is ethnocentrism and how does it make it more difficult to understand other cultures? What kind of perspective should we adopt instead?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedExamples could include materia...View AnswerShow Answer

Many American colleges and universities require students to take classes on non-Western cultures. Why do these requirements exist?

Correct AnswerverifiedA

The famous anthropologist Margaret Mead said that the United States of America is the best place to raise a female child. Her assertion is an example of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A cultural group that exists harmoniously within a larger, dominant culture is called a

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Although many people believe that expectations for personal space are inborn, members of many cultures are accustomed to noticeably less personal space than those of others. This helps demonstrate that people's expectations for personal space are

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Himani thinks that religion consists of meaningful displays of values and norms that are created, maintained, and changed through social interaction. What perspective best describes Himani's views?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Japanese observed soldiers playing baseball during the American occupation of Japan after World War II and later adopted it as one of their pastimes. This is an example of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

How is culture shock useful in helping sociologists see that even what is most familiar to us can be bizarre?

Correct AnswerverifiedWe are dependent on culture fo...View AnswerShow Answer

A man is listening to loud music and singing along in public. The people around him glare and frown at him in hopes that he will stop. The man ignores them, which indicates that he

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The controversy surrounding North Carolina's 2016 HB2 law is an example of which of the following concepts?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

An example of something that would be part of the material culture of an individual or society would be

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Culture is a broad concept that sociologists typically divide into concepts associated with material culture and symbolic culture. List and describe the major components of symbolic culture.

Correct AnswerverifiedThe elements of symbolic culture fall in...View AnswerShow Answer

Conflicts within mainstream society about which values and norms should be upheld are called

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Informal norms are different from formal norms, in that

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Jill is visiting her boyfriend's family in China. She points at him with her index finger during a conversation, which his family doesn't seem to like. Her boyfriend later explains that she should point with an open hand instead of using a finger. Why is this instruction needed?

Correct AnswerverifiedA

The slogan "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" is an example of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is culture?

Correct AnswerverifiedCulture is the entir...View AnswerShow Answer

What is an example of ethnocentrism?

Correct AnswerverifiedIf we travel to another country, we may ...View AnswerShow Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Examples could include materia...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified
A

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
We are dependent on culture fo...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
The elements of symbolic culture fall in...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
A

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Culture is the entir...
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Correct Answer
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If we travel to another country, we may ...
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