Cultural Anthropology MCQs December 3, 2025June 10, 2024 by u930973931_answers 40 min Score: 0 Attempted: 0/40 Subscribe 1. Which of the following is NOT a key aspect of culture? (A) Language (B) Religion (C) Customs and traditions (D) Biological traits 2. Cultural materialism, as a theoretical perspective in anthropology, was popularized by: (A) Margaret Mead (B) Ruth Benedict (C) Marvin Harris (D) Clifford Geertz 3. Which anthropologist is associated with the concept of âthick descriptionâ? (A) Franz Boas (B) BronisĆaw Malinowski (C) Clifford Geertz (D) Claude LĂ©vi-Strauss 4. Cultural anthropology studies human cultures and societies from a: (A) Historical perspective (B) Comparative perspective (C) Biological perspective (D) Linguistic perspective 5. The study of taboo practices within a culture falls under which subfield? (A) Symbolic Anthropology (B) Linguistic Anthropology (C) Ethnography (D) Archaeology 6. Which of the following is an example of cultural change? (A) The spread of a new language (B) Genetic mutation (C) Evolutionary adaptation (D) Inherited physical traits 7. In cultural anthropology, the term âemic perspectiveâ means: (A) An outsiderâs view of a culture (B) An insiderâs view of a culture (C) A universal perspective (D) A biological perspective 8. A set of cultural norms and expectations regarding appropriate behavior is called: (A) Norm (B) Sanction (C) Folkway (D) Taboo 9. Cultural anthropology often emphasizes the importance of: (A) Ethnocentrism (B) Acculturation (C) Assimilation (D) Cultural relativism 10. The SapirâWhorf hypothesis suggests that: (A) Language shapes thought and perception (B) Thought shapes language (C) Language has no influence on culture (D) Culture influences language only 11. Cultural anthropologists may use genealogical methods to study: (A) Biological evolution (B) Kinship systems (C) Linguistic diversity (D) Economic structures 12. Which of the following is an example of a cultural symbol? (A) DNA sequence (B) Physical trait (C) Genetic mutation (D) Religious artifact 13. Which anthropologist is known for work on cultural patterns and personality? (A) Mary Leakey (B) Margaret Mead (C) Zora Neale Hurston (D) Ruth Benedict 14. Cultural imperialism refers to: (A) Exchange of artifacts (B) Preservation of indigenous cultures (C) Study of cultural diffusion (D) Spread of dominant cultural values 15. Which of the following is an example of cultural adaptation? (A) Learning a new language (B) Genetic mutation (C) Inherited traits (D) Archaeological artifacts 16. Economic anthropology focuses on: (A) Human biological traits (B) Linguistic diversity (C) Cultural beliefs related to economic systems (D) Physical artifacts 17. A cultural practice that is forbidden within a society is called: (A) Taboo (B) Ritual (C) Norm (D) Custom 18. The Boasian approach emphasizes: (A) Human genetics (B) Historical particularism and cultural relativism (C) Comparative analysis (D) Laboratory experiments 19. Cultural diffusion often leads to: (A) Isolation (B) Decreased cultural exchange (C) Preservation of traditions (D) Increased cultural diversity 20. An example of cultural innovation is: (A) Genetic mutation (B) Invention of new technology (C) Inherited traits (D) Language acquisition 21. A set of norms that guide behavior in specific social situations is called: (A) Culture shock (B) Ethnocentrism (C) Sanction (D) Role 22. âEtic perspectiveâ refers to: (A) Insiderâs view (B) Ignoring differences (C) Outsiderâs view (D) Biological focus 23. Cultural relativism suggests: (A) Some cultures are superior (B) All cultures are equal and should be judged in their own context (C) Cultural study is unnecessary (D) Culture never changes 24. Cultural anthropology often explores the relationship between culture and: (A) Genetics (B) Linguistics (C) Economics (D) Environment 25. Study of cultural symbols, rituals, and myths belongs to: (A) Archaeology (B) Linguistic Anthropology (C) Ethnography (D) Symbolic Anthropology 26. Primary focus of cultural anthropology is: (A) Physical characteristics (B) Human societies and cultures (C) Ancient civilizations (D) Language diversity 27. Which of the following is NOT a subfield of cultural anthropology? (A) Physical Anthropology (B) Linguistic Anthropology (C) Applied Anthropology (D) Archaeology 28. Ethnography is: (A) Study of ancient artifacts (B) Anthropology of language (C) Study of genetics (D) Participant observation study of cultures 29. Cultural relativism refers to: (A) Understanding cultures within their own context (B) Judging cultures by oneâs own standards (C) Comparing cultures for superiority (D) Ignoring differences 30. Father of modern cultural anthropology: (A) BronisĆaw Malinowski (B) Margaret Mead (C) Franz Boas (D) Claude LĂ©vi-Strauss 31. Cultural materialism emphasizes: (A) Symbols and meanings (B) Linguistic diversity (C) Kinship systems (D) Economic factors in cultural change 32. The process of learning and internalizing culture is: (A) Acculturation (B) Assimilation (C) Enculturation (D) Ethnocentrism 33. Cultural anthropology is closely related to: (A) Political Science (B) Psychology (C) Economics (D) Sociology 34. Which is NOT a characteristic of culture? (A) It is symbolic and meaningful (B) It is learned and shared (C) It is innate and genetic (D) It is adaptive and dynamic 35. Cultural relativism is associated with: (A) Margaret Mead (B) Ruth Benedict (C) Edward Tylor (D) Clifford Geertz 36. Which is a cultural universal? (A) Wearing clothing (B) Using a specific language (C) Eating spicy food (D) Listening to music 37. Ethnocentrism refers to: (A) Belief in relativism (B) Judging other cultures by oneâs own standards (C) Kinship study (D) Cultural diffusion 38. The process by which cultures come into contact and influence each other is: (A) Culture shock (B) Cultural lag (C) Cultural evolution (D) Cultural diffusion 39. Cultural anthropology studies the impact of globalization on: (A) Biological evolution (B) Genetic diversity (C) Cultural practices and identities (D) Linguistic diversity 40. A system of symbols, meanings, and practices shared by a group is called: (A) Ethnicity (B) Culture (C) Society (D) Norm