The Distinguish Between Sex and Gender, and Sexual Dimorphism - Assignment Example

 Schmid et al (2008:2711) agree that a symmetrical face is more sexually attractive across all races. Schmid et al (2008:2711) take the theory a step further and believe that a face with a golden ratio is attractive sexually throughout all cultures. Moore et al (2011:1068) reveal that human sexuality across cultures is about producing children. A healthy man or woman is more attractive due to their ability to have children.

4. Explain what cross-cultural research has revealed about sexual prohibitions across cultures.

Three sexuality areas of interest in cross-cultural research are the focus of sexual prohibitions or taboos. These three are women’s sexuality, children’s sexuality, and male homosexuality. Sexual prohibitions generally revolve around these three issues.

5. Cite two examples of factors that affect gender roles across cultures.

Piotrowski (2009) suggests that gender roles revolve around economics. A male supports the family and a woman takes care of the children in some cultures. The evolving gender roles in Western countries are due to women becoming more involved in working to support their families. Another factor Piotrowski (2009) suggests that impacts gender roles across cultures is the birth of a child.

6. Contrast power and authority.

Power is the ability to influence others to do your bidding with or without resistance. Authority is the right to settle problems among others. Power is an influence, while authority is more of a right.

7. Contrast leadership in tribes and chiefdoms.

Tribes are led by influential individuals that won those positions through achievement. Tribe leaders are not elected. Chiefdom has fixed political offices and defined rules of succession. 

8. Distinguish between formal and informal means of social control.

Formal means of social control is a regulation by the government or laws. Informal means of social control are the definition of norms or values by a particular society.

9. Describe one way that rites of passage and rites of intensification are similar.

Both rites of passage and rites of intensification are similar because they mark a specific event. Although a rite of passage only happens once, rites of intensification can happen more than once. A Baptism is a rite of passage. This normally only happens once. However, marriage is a rite of intensification because it can happen more than once.

10. Define three ways that magic is similar to religion.

Both magic and religion are based on belief. Magic and religion deal with supernatural traits. Magic and religion both have believers and detractors.

11. Discuss two functions of revitalization cults.

A function of a revitalization cult is to bring life back to a society that has been dominated or changed rapidly. They want to maintain a part of the original culture. The function is also to provide food, clothing, and so forth to a society that has been deprived due to war, foreign occupation, and other causes.

12. Discuss the problems of defining religion cross-culturally.

Religion is defined differently by different cultures. For example, Christianity is not defined the same in Russia as it is by a Southern Baptist in the United States. Religious practices are often culturally intertwined with a specific region. Thus defining all Christians as believing in a certain religion can be difficult.

13. Detail the basic functions of supernaturalism.

The basic functions of supernaturalism are social conformity, cultural validation, and social identity.

14. Describe supernatural beings in North American culture.

Supernatural beings in North America were often nature-related beings. Stars, sky, wind, and animal supernatural beings are examples.

15. Evaluate one hypothesis that explains the purpose of prehistoric cave art.

One hypothesis that explains the purpose of prehistoric cave art is the images are records. These records are the history of animal kills, explanations on how to kill an animal, or amounts of animals killed. This is one of many hypotheses.

16. Critique the imitative magic hypothesis offered to explain cave art.

The imitative magic hypothesis is the hypothesis that religious leaders were the ones that painted on the cave walls. This was to give hunters good luck. It could be possible, but the record of the hunt makes more sense. However, since cave art was done so long ago anything is possible.

17. List and describe three cross-cultural functions of body art.

One function is identity. For example, a gang member might have the M13 tattoo to signify which gang they are from. The second is history. From baby names to crimes committed this type of tattoo is common. Finally, tattoos or body are can be lucky in cross cultures.

18. Describe how expressive art is integrated into the everyday lives of a society.

Expressive art surrounds everyday life. Music, dance, paintings, and other forms can be found in public of all cultures, sometimes only in private. However, these mediums of expressive art can be found in societies daily.

19. Describe two methods used by anthropologists to study culture change.

Anthropologists use participant observation and key informant interviewing to study culture change.

20. Define what applied anthropologists do.

Applied anthropologists analyze practical problems in search of a solution. For example, poverty, gender relations, and so forth are studied and solutions are actively sought. One example of the problem of poverty is community action, education, and programs to get people jobs. Applied anthropologists work directly with a community.