The Nature of Culture

The Nature of Culture

(The concept a characteristic of culture and Civilization; Ethnocentrism vis-a-vis Cultural Relativism)

Cultural Relativism (Core Theme)

1. Write notes on Human rights and Cultural relativism in about 150 words. (2020)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Cultural Relativism. (2019)
3. Write a note in 150 words on Cultural Relativism. (2016)
4. Why has the concept of Cultural Relativism been so dear to anthropologists? (2013)
5. Write a note in 150 words on Cultural relativism and subsequent violation on human rights. (2010)
6. What do you understand by cultural relativistic approach and ethnocentric approach in the study of culture? Discuss the logical premises of cultural relativist approach. (1997)
7. Write a note on Cultural relativism. (1995)
8. What do you understand by ‘norms and values’? Write briefly on cultural relativism. (1992)
9. Write a note on Cultural relativism. (1987)
10. What is cultural relativism? Evaluate its importance for the development of comparative method in social anthropology. (1984)
11. Indicate the implications of cultural relativism for applied Anthropology. (1981)

Culture vs Civilization

1. Bring out the distinguishing features of culture and civilization. (2013)
2. Is culture unique to human beings? Critically examine. (2014)
3. How does culture differ from civilization? Describe the attributes of culture. (1987)
4. Write a note on Culture and civilization. (1991)
5. Civilization is a special development of culture. Elaborate. (1983)

Norms and Values

1. What do you understand by ‘norms and values’? Discuss their anthropological perspective and relevance in contemporary times. (1990)
2. What do you understand by ‘norms and values’? Discuss their anthropological perspective and relevance in the context of contemporary times. (1988)
3. Write a note on Norms and Values. (1993)

Theories & Approaches to Culture

1. Discuss the development of the concept of culture in Anthropology. (2017)
2. Write a note on Cultural Materialism. (2003)
3. “Components of culture are vast and varied.” Explain this statement. (2002)
4. Write a note on Superorganic view of culture. (1998)
5. Write a note on Pattern of culture. (1998)
6. What is cultural change? How did the Austro-German school put up the scheme of cultural change? (1995)
7. Elucidate the various concepts of social and cultural changes indicating the specific problems involved in the change process. (1997)

Culture Traits, Complexes & Areas

1. Write a note on Culture trait and Culture complex. (1999)
2. Write a note on Culture Area & Age Area. (2000)

Miscellaneous / Applied Questions

1. What stage is known as the incipient stage of food production? Point out major features of this cultural stage. Illustrate with examples from the Old World. (2010)
2. Culture as Construct or Reality. (1989)
3. All cultures are hybrid. Substantiate. (1982)

The Nature of Society

(Concept of Society; Society and Culture; Social institutions; Social groups and Social stratification)

Concept of Society & Culture

1. Write a note in 150 words on Society and Culture. (2015)
2. Define ethnography and present a brief history of ethnographic studies. (2018)
3. Define Status and Role. Distinguish between Ascribed and Achieved Status. (2014)
4. Explain the concept of ‘Status’ and ‘Role’ in Anthropology. (2012)

Ethnography & New Ethnography

1. Discuss Erving Goffman’s concept of total institutions and its relevance in contemporary society. (2020)
2. Critically evaluate different types of social stratifications with suitable examples. (2020)
3. Critically assess the role of ethnography in the development of anthropological theories. (1997)
4. Describe the nature, scope and methods of new ethnography. (1994)
5. Write a note on New ethnography. (1995)
6. Write a note on New ethnography. (1991)
7. Write a note on New ethnography. (1987)
8. Write a note on Ethnography. (1990)

Social Institutions & Social Control

1. Write a note on Social institution. (1993)
2. Describe the means of social control in simpler societies and compare the legal system of simple and complex societies. (1993)
3. ‘Primitive society is governed by the traditional customary law.’ Do you agree with this statement? Explain. (1998)
4. Discuss mechanisms of social control in simple societies citing suitable examples. (2007)
5. Write a detailed note on polyandrous societies, citing Indian examples. (2009)

Social Groups (Temporary, Permanent, Association)

1. Write a note on Differences between temporary groups and permanent groups. (1986)
2. Write a note on Group and Association. (1992)

Social Stratification

1. Discuss social stratification according to any three major approaches. (2019)
2. What are the bases of social stratification? Discuss with examples. (2012)
3. Write a note on Social stratification. (2000)
4. Critically evaluate different types of social stratifications with suitable examples. (2020)
5. Elucidate the salient differences between tribal social system and caste system giving suitable examples. (1997)
6. Write a note on Caste mobility. (1998)
7. Write a note on Social structure. (1999)

Miscellaneous Themes

1. Write a note on Folk-Urban Continuum. (2003)
2. Discuss different modes of exchange in simple societies with suitable examples. (2011)

Marriage

(Definition and Universality; Laws of marriage (endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy, hypogamy, incest taboo); Types of marriage (monogamy, polygamy, polyandry, group marriage). Functions of marriage; Marriage regulations (preferential, prescriptive and proscriptive); Marriage payments (bride wealth and dowry))

Definition, Universality & Functions

1. Where do you situate ‘live-in relationship’ within the institution of marriage? (2013)
2. Define marriage and describe the various types of marriages in human societies. (2014)
3. Define Marriage. Describe its different forms with suitable examples as prevalent among the tribal people of India. Point out the functions of marriage. (1989)
4. Marriage institution is found in all societies and at all times. Discuss. (1982)

Forms & Types of Marriage (Monogamy, Polygamy, Polyandry, Group Marriage)

1. Write a note in 150 words on Ways of Acquiring Mate in Tribal Society. (2018)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Ways of acquiring a spouse in simpler societies. (2012)
3. Describe the problems of universal definition of marriage. Describe the different forms of marriage among the tribal people of India. (1991)

Laws of Marriage (Endogamy, Exogamy, Incest, etc.)

1. Write notes on “Marriage Regulations and Alliance Theory” in about 150 words. (2020)
2. Discuss the different forms of preferential marriage with suitable examples from tribal societies in India. (2017)
3. Write a note in 150 words on Incest Taboos. (2015)
4. Write a note on Incest Taboos. (2006)
5. Endogamy and preferential marriage are characteristic of closed societies. Discuss. (1983)
6. Incest is universally the basis of enduring family. Comment. (1983)

Marriage Payments (Bridewealth, Dowry)

1. “Marriage payments are an example of reciprocity between two social groups.” Elaborate. (1981)

Family

(Definition and universality; Family, household and domestic groups; functions of family; Types of family (from the perspectives of structure, blood relation, marriage, residence and succession); Impact of urbanization, industrialization and feminist movements on family.)

1. Definition & Universality
2. How rules of descent contradict residence principles in matrilineal societies (with examples). (2022)
3. Household and domestic group. (2022)
4. Define family and critically examine the universality of family. (2015)
5. Write a note in 150 words on: Is family a social institution? (2012)
6. Do you agree with the view that family is a ‘universal association’? Critically examine. (1998)
7. Is family a Universal Social Group? Critically examine with examples. (1993)
8. Write a note on Universality of family. (1988)
9. Is family universally the cornerstone of human society? Discuss. (1981)

Functions of Family

1. What are the major functions of the family? Indicate the recent changes that have taken place in its types and functions with special reference to India. (1985)
2. Examine family both as a social group and as an institution. Describe the functions of family and household, indicating therein the recent changes. (1996)
3. Account for the universality of the nuclear family and describe its functions. (1984)

Types of Family (Structure, Tribal vs Non-Tribal, Residence, Succession)

1. Give a comparative account of different types of family in the tribes of India. Illustrate with examples. (1990)
2. Give a comparative account of the different types of family in tribal and non-tribal societies of India. (1987)
3. Write a note on Matrilineal society. (1991)

Changing Family: Urbanization, Industrialization, Feminist Movements

1. Define urbanisation and discuss its impact on family in India with examples. (2024)

1. Explain the impact of feminist movement on universality of marriage and family structure. (2020)
2. Discuss the impact of urbanization and feminist movements on family in India. (2016)
3. Discuss the impact of urbanization and feminist movement on family. (2013)
4. What do you understand by Feminist movements? Discuss their impact on family. (2002)
5. Critically comment on the forces and factors that have brought about changes in the family structure in recent times. (1999)

Kinship

(Consanguinity and Affinity; Principles and types of descent (Unilineal, Double, Bilateral, Ambilineal); Forms of descent groups (lineage, clan, phratry, moiety and kindred); Kinship terminology (descriptive and classificatory); Descent, Filiation and Complimentary Filiation; Descent and Alliance.)

Descent: Principles & Types

1. Write notes on: Descent Groups. (2021)
2. Write a note in 150 words on Bilineal and Bilateral descent. (2017)
3. Write a note in 150 words on Double Descent. (2014)
4. Write a note in 150 words on Various types of descent. (2013)
5. Write a note on Forms of descent groups. (2008)
6. Distinguish between Double descent and bilateral descent. (1984)
7. Descent is a cultural rule. Discuss. (1984)

Descent & Alliance Theories

1. Describe the cardinal points of descent and alliance theories. (2016)
2. Explain the salient features of Descent and Alliance theories. Discuss their relevance to social structure. (2001)
3. “Unilineal kinship is more characteristic of segmentary society than bilateral kinship.” Discuss. (1981)

Kinship Terminology & Behaviour

1. Write a note in 150 words on Kinship Terminology. (2018)
2. Elucidate the determinants of Kinship terminology. (2017)
3. Write a note on Kinship terms and kinship behaviour. (1994)

Forms of Kin Groups (Lineage, Clan, etc.)

1. Write a note in 150 words on Lineage and Clan. (2016)
2. Write a note on Lineage and clan. (1994)
3. Write a note on Differences between clan and lineage in primitive society. (1986)

Kinship Functions & Changing Role

Theoretical significance of Purum kinship-system. (2025)

1. What factors are responsible for bringing about variation in residence of different societies? Explain how kinship influences man’s social life. (2010)
2. Describe the types of kinship groups formed on the basis of different principles. (2012)
3. What is kinship system? Describe the changing roles of the system in the context of westernization in India. (1995)
4. What is kinship system? Discuss its relevance in understanding the social structure of society. (1991)
5. Define Kinship and throw light on the functional importance of Kinship in Anthropology. (2003)
6. Now we live more in a class than a caste. Discuss the role of kinship in this changed situation. (1998)
7. The modern State has taken over many functions of the family and kin groups. Discuss. (1982)
8. Extended family and kinship ties are incompatible with an industrial society. Critically examine. (1983)

Kinship, Marriage & Regulation

1. How the study of variation in forms of marriage led to a rethinking on the concepts of social reproduction, kinship and family? (2025)
2. What are incest regulations? Bring out their socio-cultural functions in the context of stability in marriage, family and kinship. (1988)
3. Evaluate the role of kinship in regulating sex and marriage. (1984)

Miscellaneous

1. Write a note in 150 words on Segmentary lineage and territoriality. (2010)
2. Discuss the distinguishing features of unilineal, bilineal and bilateral kin groups with suitable examples. (1997)