Patterns of Culture by Ruth Benedict
- 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) Economic systems are the foundation of all cultural patterns.
B) Cultures are integrated wholes with unique personality patterns.
C) All cultures inevitably progress toward Western civilization.
D) Biological race is the primary determinant of cultural traits.
- 2. Which anthropological concept is Ruth Benedict most associated with in this work?
A) Structural Functionalism
B) Cultural Materialism
C) Historical Particularism
D) Cultural Relativism
- 3. Benedict famously used a psychological analogy to describe cultures. What was it?
A) Comparing cultures to biological organisms.
B) Comparing cultures to machines.
C) Comparing cultures to individual personalities.
D) Comparing cultures to theatrical stages.
- 4. Benedict contrasted the Zuni culture with which other culture from the Northwest Coast?
A) The Apache
B) The Navajo
C) The Kwakiutl
D) The Inuit
- 5. Benedict's work was a strong critique of what kind of thinking?
A) Ethnocentrism
B) Secularism
C) Feminism
D) Capitalism
- 6. Which of Benedict's mentors heavily influenced her configurationalist approach?
A) Sigmund Freud
B) Bronisław Malinowski
C) Franz Boas
D) Émile Durkheim
- 7. Benedict argued that what is considered 'abnormal' or 'deviant' behavior is:
A) Always a mental illness.
B) Culturally relative.
C) A sign of genetic inferiority.
D) Universally defined by human biology.
- 8. Benedict's approach is best described as:
A) Evolutionism
B) Positivism
C) Diffusionism
D) Configurationalism
- 9. A key implication of Benedict's argument is that:
A) Cultural change is impossible.
B) We should understand other cultures on their own terms.
C) Western cultures are superior in their complexity.
D) All cultures are fundamentally the same.
- 10. When was 'Patterns of Culture' first published?
A) 1950
B) 1941
C) 1922
D) 1934
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