Psychological Anthropology MCQs
- What is the primary focus of psychological anthropology?
A) The study of physical development in different cultures
B) The examination of how cultural factors influence psychological processes
C) The analysis of economic systems across cultures
D) The history of psychological theories
Answer: B) The examination of how cultural factors influence psychological processes
- Which concept refers to the way in which cultural practices shape psychological development?
A) Psychological determinism
B) Cultural psychology
C) Psychocultural theory
D) Cognitive anthropology
Answer: C) Psychocultural theory
- What does “enculturation” refer to in psychological anthropology?
A) The process of learning a second language
B) The acquisition of cultural norms and values through socialization
C) The adaptation of psychological theories to different cultures
D) The process of psychological counseling
Answer: B) The acquisition of cultural norms and values through socialization
- Which of the following is a key method used in psychological anthropology?
A) Longitudinal studies
B) Cross-cultural comparisons
C) Genetic analysis
D) Neuroimaging
Answer: B) Cross-cultural comparisons
- What is “cultural relativism” in the context of psychological anthropology?
A) The belief that psychological disorders are universal
B) The approach that evaluates cultural practices based on one’s own cultural norms
C) The perspective that psychological phenomena should be understood within the context of a culture’s own norms and values
D) The method of comparing psychological traits across different species
Answer: C) The perspective that psychological phenomena should be understood within the context of a culture’s own norms and values
- Which psychological anthropologist is known for their work on the concept of “sociocultural personality”?
A) Ruth Benedict
B) Margaret Mead
C) Clifford Geertz
D) Edward Sapir
Answer: A) Ruth Benedict
- In psychological anthropology, what does the term “personality structure” refer to?
A) The biological basis of personality
B) The way in which an individual’s personality is shaped by cultural influences
C) The relationship between different personality traits
D) The structure of psychological disorders
Answer: B) The way in which an individual’s personality is shaped by cultural influences
- Which approach emphasizes the importance of understanding mental health issues through cultural contexts?
A) Biopsychology
B) Ethnopsychology
C) Cognitive-behavioral therapy
D) Psychoanalysis
Answer: B) Ethnopsychology
- What role does “ritual” play in psychological anthropology?
A) It is seen as irrelevant to psychological studies
B) It is studied for its impact on psychological development and social cohesion
C) It is analyzed only from a historical perspective
D) It is considered a purely economic activity
Answer: B) It is studied for its impact on psychological development and social cohesion
- Which theory suggests that psychological experiences are influenced by cultural and social contexts, rather than being purely biological?
A) Evolutionary psychology
B) Social constructionism
C) Cognitive psychology
D) Psychodynamic theory
Answer: B) Social constructionism
- What is “ethnopsychology”?
A) The study of psychological development in urban environments
B) The analysis of psychological phenomena within the context of cultural practices and beliefs
C) The examination of genetic influences on psychological traits
D) The study of psychological disorders in a clinical setting
Answer: B) The analysis of psychological phenomena within the context of cultural practices and beliefs
- Which concept refers to the shared mental and emotional patterns within a specific cultural group?
A) Cultural universals
B) Cultural psychodynamics
C) Cultural schemas
D) Cultural values
Answer: C) Cultural schemas
- How does “cultural transmission” affect psychological development?
A) By limiting the influence of culture on individual psychology
B) By ensuring that psychological traits are inherited biologically
C) By passing cultural norms, values, and behaviors from one generation to the next
D) By disregarding cultural influences in psychological development
Answer: C) By passing cultural norms, values, and behaviors from one generation to the next
- Which psychological anthropologist is known for their work on “cultural models” and how they shape individual cognition?
A) Donald Brown
B) Jerome Bruner
C) George Herbert Mead
D) Clifford Geertz
Answer: B) Jerome Bruner
- What does “cultural adaptation” refer to in psychological anthropology?
A) The biological changes that occur due to environmental pressures
B) The process by which individuals modify their behaviors and thoughts to fit cultural norms
C) The adjustment of psychological theories to fit universal standards
D) The static nature of cultural practices
Answer: B) The process by which individuals modify their behaviors and thoughts to fit cultural norms