Anthropology 345 Exam #1 Question with verified
answers
Anthropology - √√The study of humanity past, present, and future
(anthro=human)
Holistic - √√Studies people from every possible angle - biological, cultural,
archaeological, linguistic, historical, and more.
Cross-Cultural - √√It considers every way of life in every place on earth.
Comparative - √√Compelling us to situate ourselves in global and historical
context
What are the three big questions asked by Anthropology? - √√1. What are our
origins?
2. What is human nature?
3. How will the decisions we make today change the way we live tomorrow?
What are the three important sub-fields of Anthropology? - √√1.
Paleoanthroplogy: study of fossil remains and genetic heritage through our
origins.
2. Archaeology: study of material culture (more recent past); look through clues
that were left behind.
3. Cultural Anthropology: study of living, changing cultures.
What is the Nature vs. Nurture debate? - √√Nature: all humans have a basic, fixed
human nature which must be followed in order for us to be successful.
, 1. Evolutionary directives: basic human nature (genetic)
2. Few options: how to act and build cultures
3. Build a society based on those who have limited options.
4. Socio-biology: have to understand how people have social issues in the United
States (ex: rise of gender roles).
Nurture: what makes humans unique is our ability to make choices and to decide
what kind of behavior is appropriate to the values we want to live by.
1. Human make choices
2. Many options
3. Diversity is successful survival trait: more diverse, more adaptable to change
4. Cultural anthropology
What is culture? - √√A learned set of beliefs and behaviors that humans use to
create social networks, adapt to and change their environment in order to
increase their chances for survival.
What is the "great paradox" of culture? - √√Cultures restrict our choices but it is
only through living within a culture that we become fully human (we need social
networks).
What are the three ways that culture is linked to identity? - √√1. Gives us a sense
of belonging
2. Creates values that we have in common with others.
3. Creates a shorthand language for communication (symbols, gestures, language,
etc.)
answers
Anthropology - √√The study of humanity past, present, and future
(anthro=human)
Holistic - √√Studies people from every possible angle - biological, cultural,
archaeological, linguistic, historical, and more.
Cross-Cultural - √√It considers every way of life in every place on earth.
Comparative - √√Compelling us to situate ourselves in global and historical
context
What are the three big questions asked by Anthropology? - √√1. What are our
origins?
2. What is human nature?
3. How will the decisions we make today change the way we live tomorrow?
What are the three important sub-fields of Anthropology? - √√1.
Paleoanthroplogy: study of fossil remains and genetic heritage through our
origins.
2. Archaeology: study of material culture (more recent past); look through clues
that were left behind.
3. Cultural Anthropology: study of living, changing cultures.
What is the Nature vs. Nurture debate? - √√Nature: all humans have a basic, fixed
human nature which must be followed in order for us to be successful.
, 1. Evolutionary directives: basic human nature (genetic)
2. Few options: how to act and build cultures
3. Build a society based on those who have limited options.
4. Socio-biology: have to understand how people have social issues in the United
States (ex: rise of gender roles).
Nurture: what makes humans unique is our ability to make choices and to decide
what kind of behavior is appropriate to the values we want to live by.
1. Human make choices
2. Many options
3. Diversity is successful survival trait: more diverse, more adaptable to change
4. Cultural anthropology
What is culture? - √√A learned set of beliefs and behaviors that humans use to
create social networks, adapt to and change their environment in order to
increase their chances for survival.
What is the "great paradox" of culture? - √√Cultures restrict our choices but it is
only through living within a culture that we become fully human (we need social
networks).
What are the three ways that culture is linked to identity? - √√1. Gives us a sense
of belonging
2. Creates values that we have in common with others.
3. Creates a shorthand language for communication (symbols, gestures, language,
etc.)
