Final Exam Flashcards
- Give a definition of sex and intersex
Sex - Biological characteristics related to reproduction
Intersex - Already significant intrasexual variation, Individuals with indeterminate or ambiguous sex, Ambiguous genitalia, Hormonal variation
- What is gender? How do humans use symbols to express gender?
Culturally constructed meanings from perceived sex differences, Expressed using symbols (pink, blue, washroom signs), Organizes social life – expected roles, statuses, behaviors
- How do ideas of gender differ within and between cultures?
Different symbols used to express gender, Ex. Long hair, makeup, and “skirts”, Different gender roles and expectations, Different gender categories disconnected from sex
- How do structures of power interact with gender categories?
Patriarchy: society in which men hold power in all or most social domains
Patriarchy takes different forms, and levels of gender inequality vary
Matriarchy: society in which women hold power
- How do ideas about sex and sexuality vary cross-culturally?
Heteronormativity: heterosexual monogamous relationships are considered normal, natural, and preferred
Systems of reinforcements that regulate normative sexual behavior - State recognition in the form of legal marriage, Tax law, visitation rights, In ceremony, ritual, and media
- What are kinship status and roles? What are some examples?
Titles like “mother” and “brother” indicate: How we should behave, What our responsibilities are, Who we have authority over, who has authority over us
Kinship Status: San - Joking vs respect/avoidance relationships, Different forms of address – formal and informal – like French, Ex. Same gender siblings = joking, Ex. Parent/child = respect, Ex. Son-in-law/mother-in-law are not supposed to speak at all
- How do different societies trace descent relationships?
Bilateral Descent - Descent traced through both families, Equal weight given to family of mother and father, Common in Canada, Both families assemble for important events (Marriage, Graduation)
Unilineal Descent - Descent traded through mother OR father’s family, Bilateral descent systems more complex to keep track of, Ambiguity undesirable if descent connected to political or economic relations
- What are some common features of marriage?
Transforms social identities of participants, Socially and often biologically reproductive relationship, Links the kin of marriage partners, Forms an economic unit, often associated with transfer of resources, Often symbolically, ritually marked
- How does marriage differ cross-culturally?
Cross-cultural variation in the number of spouses a person may have - (Serial) Monogamy: one spouse at a time, Polygamy: more than one spouse at a time, Polygamy takes two major forms – Polygyny, Polyandry
- In what way is marriage an economic as well as social process?
Economic - Dowry: from parents of bride to groom or his family, To establish new household – form of inheritance, To compensate groom’s family for care of bride, More common in societies in which women’s labour is less valued
Social - Chosen Kin: family by choice rather than blood or marriage – Adoption, Close friendships
- What is a ritual? What are some examples?
Repetitive symbolic social practice, Often identified by activities such as speech, singing, dancing, or gestures, Manipulation of important objects
- What are the three stages of a rite of passage rituals?
Separation, Transition, Reaggregation
- What is the purpose of rite of passage rituals?
Transformative - Move individuals from one position in society to another, Increase status and prestige, Makes clear relationship between individuals, Creates social bonds between individuals
- What do anthropologists mean by “magic”?
Practices intended to directly use or control supernatural forces rather than through the intercession of a deity, For individual gain – can help or harm, Not always clearly distinguishable from religious practice
- What are some types and examples of magic?
Sympathetic: Like causes like. Symbolic representation of subject or effect
Contagion: Objects or people may transfer power or contamination through contact
Divination: predict future events
