AIR 110 · CSE 2022 · ANT1 · 47 pages

Nidhi Pai: ANT1 answer copy

8 answers by Nidhi Pai, as written in the test.

The questions

  1. Q1Define “cultural relativity” in its weak, intermediate, and strong forms. why is understanding cultural relativity important in the objective study of cultures throughout the world? 1) Write about the social institution and total institution? And Whether both are one and same or different?20 marks
  2. Q2Critically evaluate, how society and culture co-relate to each other in understanding Human behavior? 2) What are Kinship determinants and explain about Kinship terminologies with the suitable genealogical diagrams.
  3. Q3Give a brief concept about the social stratification and highlight the various classification based on the various factors in the present primitive society? 3) Give the brief insight about the different marriage payments in the simple society as well as modern society.
  4. Q4How can you correlate the different types of marriage regulations in the primitive and main steam society with suitable examples in the present context? 4) Write the significance and characteristics of the culture and civilisation with their important differences among each other to understand the society.
  5. Q5What is the present legal status of Live-in-Relationship in India with the significant judgement related to it?
  6. Q6Define the social group and how it brought the dynamic changes in the society during the lockdown due to the covid outbreak? 6) Write the differences between the Ethnocentrism vis-à-vis Cultural relativism with the suitable examples?
  7. Q7Write the meaning and significance of the descent? And write about the various forms of descent groups in the simple society at the present.
  8. Q8Critically substantiate how the urbanization, industrialization, and feminist movement impacted the family system and it gave wings to the women empowerment in the society?

The answers

Question 1 · 20 marks · 636 words written

Define “cultural relativity” in its weak, intermediate, and strong forms. why is understanding cultural relativity important in the objective study of cultures throughout the world? 1) Write about the social institution and total institution? And Whether both are one and same or different?

Opening

The concept of Cultural Relativity was given by Franz Boas.

Body · points and prose

  • Cultural Relativity believes in an Objective study of cultures. According to Classical Relativism, Societies Or cultures must be studies in relation to its own history and environment and not based On the standards of ones own culture.
  • It is an anti-thesis to Ethnocentrism.

→ Cultural Relativity in its Weak, Intermediate and Strong Forms -

  • CR in its weak form - Though there is a sense of need felt to objectively study cultures, yet the biases of our own cultures might stop us from fully acknowledging other cultures.

Ex: Though, as Hindus, we might believe that cow is holy, there is a sense of repulsion when we see someone consuming

beef in front of us.

○ CR in Intermediate form - The most desirable one to study cultures objectively.

  • One may choose to keep ones personal biases or judgements away and study cultures.
  • Follow the Emic view of study of cultures.
  • (Ex) Malinowski's study of Trobriand Islanders. Studied the systems of kula system, wari system etc without letting his knowledge of formal Economics study influence his observations.

○ CR in Strong form -

  • Though, Cultural Relativism must be followed, it is important that one does not blind himself as to what is right or wrong. (Ex) - 1. The cultural practice of Sati

cannot be supported under the guide of Cultural Relativism. 2. Female Genital Mutilatation among some communities.

→ Why is Cultural Relativity important to study cultures?

① In order to understand cultures from the observer's point of view (Emic approach). ② To avoid any kind of Ethnocentrism ③ To provide objective and unbiased ethnographies and researches. ④ To ensure any kind of racism or discrimination of people involved in a study. ⑤ To provide a holistic study of cultures. ⑥ To provide for future comparisons and study of cultures. ⑦ To avoid any kind of political,

economic or social bias. ⑧ To ensure inclusivity in ones studies.

Ex - Tribal India is often known for its exotic living styles and the existence of pre marital sexual relations. This reflects Ethnocentrism.

Cultural Relativity in studies will help people appreciate the beauty, charm and uniqueness of different cultures across the world.

According to Mc Iver, Institutions are forms of procedure characteristic of group activity.

Institutions are abstract structures which work or establish procedures of a cultural function. (Ex) - Marriage, Religion, Kinship, Political Organisation etc.

○ Social Institution vs Total Institution -

→ Generally, the Institutions which involve in regulating the social life of an individual are referred to as social institution. (Ex) - Marriage, Family, Religion etc. → They bring in social control and regulation of ties between individuals. → Certain Institutions in the society have more importance in other things rather an individual needs. These Institutions rather a total of social and other Institutions are called

Total Institutions.

→ Are Both social Institutions and Total Institutions same?

NO (1) Certain Institutions are more social than others. (Ex) Marriage more than Religion. (2) Institutions that have a sense of famality do not form part of social relations.

Yes (1) Ideally, every institution in the society has emerged to fulfil certain need of man or society (functionalism - Malinowski & Brown). (2) Institutions are part of society and therefore all institutions have to be social in some way or another. (3) No institution exists which has nothing to do with society or culture.

(4) Institutions exist to regulate the social life of individuals. (5) Institutions bring in social control. (6) They help in peaceful working of society.

Close · a summary

Thus, every institution is a social institution since it is a part of society and fulfils the needs of man. Thus, an institution keeps changing with the changing nature and needs of society.