- 1. Patterns of Culture is a seminal work by anthropologist Ruth Benedict, published in 1934, that explores the concept of cultural configurations and the inherent diversity of human societies. In this groundbreaking book, Benedict presents the idea that each culture functions as a unique pattern of beliefs, practices, and values, much like an artistic design or a set of rules that shapes the lives of its members. Drawing upon her extensive fieldwork and comparative studies, she introduces the notion of 'configurations,' which suggests that cultures can be understood as cohesive wholes that influence individual behavior and social organization. Through her analysis of different cultures, including the Zuni, Dobu, and Plains Indian societies, Benedict illustrates how contrasting cultural patterns manifest in their respective attitudes toward individuality, morality, and social relationships. By challenging ethnocentric views and advocating for cultural relativism, she emphasizes the importance of understanding cultures on their own terms rather than imposing external judgments or comparisons. Patterns of Culture remains influential in the fields of anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies, encouraging readers to appreciate the rich tapestry of human experience and the complexities that arise from varying cultural contexts.
What is the central argument of Ruth Benedict's 'Patterns of Culture'?
A) All cultures inevitably progress toward Western civilization.
B) Cultures are integrated wholes with unique personality patterns.
C) Biological race is the primary determinant of cultural traits.
D) Economic systems are the foundation of all cultural patterns.
- 2. Which anthropological concept is Ruth Benedict most associated with in this work?
A) Cultural Materialism
B) Historical Particularism
C) Structural Functionalism
D) Cultural Relativism
- 3. Benedict famously used a psychological analogy to describe cultures. What was it?
A) Comparing cultures to theatrical stages.
B) Comparing cultures to individual personalities.
C) Comparing cultures to biological organisms.
D) Comparing cultures to machines.
- 4. Benedict contrasted the Zuni culture with which other culture from the Northwest Coast?
A) The Apache
B) The Kwakiutl
C) The Inuit
D) The Navajo
- 5. Benedict's work was a strong critique of what kind of thinking?
A) Secularism
B) Capitalism
C) Feminism
D) Ethnocentrism
- 6. Which of Benedict's mentors heavily influenced her configurationalist approach?
A) Bronisław Malinowski
B) Émile Durkheim
C) Sigmund Freud
D) Franz Boas
- 7. Benedict argued that what is considered 'abnormal' or 'deviant' behavior is:
A) Universally defined by human biology.
B) A sign of genetic inferiority.
C) Always a mental illness.
D) Culturally relative.
- 8. Benedict's approach is best described as:
A) Positivism
B) Configurationalism
C) Evolutionism
D) Diffusionism
- 9. A key implication of Benedict's argument is that:
A) Western cultures are superior in their complexity.
B) Cultural change is impossible.
C) All cultures are fundamentally the same.
D) We should understand other cultures on their own terms.
- 10. When was 'Patterns of Culture' first published?
A) 1934
B) 1950
C) 1922
D) 1941
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