NTA UGC NET/JRF Exam, December 2023 (Anthropology)

Total Questions: 100

51. M.N. Srinivas argued that insiders are better placed while studying a society, for the following reasons:

(a) They are well versed with language and thus have an advantage
(b) Insiders will have 'home blindness'
(c) With adequate training, insiders can overcome prejudices and biases
(d) Insiders can adjust well to the condition of field work where as outsiders feel home sick
(e) Insiders have all the resources
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. (a) and (c) only
Solution:M.N. Srinivas argued that insiders are better placed while studying a society because they are well-versed with the language and have an advantage, and with adequate training, insiders can overcome prejudices and biases. Insiders' fluency in the local language allows for more accurate data collection and deeper understanding of cultural nuances.

Additionally, while insiders might initially have biases, proper anthropological training can help mitigate these, enabling them to conduct objective research. 'Home blindness' and homesickness are concerns, but they do not outweigh the advantages of language proficiency and potential for objective research with training. Resources are not specific to insiders.

52. These days participatory approaches to tribal development are preferred because :

(a) Local people have better knowledge about topography and resources than outsiders
(b) For enabling and empowering local populations
(c) It is mandated by international conventions
(d) Funding agencies prescribe the participatory approaches
(e) It will minimise administrative expenditure
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Correct Answer: D. (a) and (b) only
Solution:Participatory approaches to tribal development are preferred because local people have better knowledge about topography and resources than outsiders, and it enables and empowers local populations. Local knowledge ensures that development projects are contextually appropriate and sustainable.

Empowering local populations fosters ownership and accountability, leading to more successful and long-lasting outcomes. While international conventions and funding agencies may support participatory approaches, the primary reasons are the practical and empowering benefits for local communities. Minimizing administrative expenditure is not a primary reason for participatory approaches.

53. The scholars who are associated with the concept of general and specific evolution are:

(a) L.H. Morgan
(b) E.B. Tylor
(c) M. Sahlins
(d) E. Service
(e) J.J. Bachofen
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Correct Answer: B. (c) and (d) only
Solution:The scholars associated with the concept of general and specific evolution are M. Sahlins and E. Service. General evolution refers to broad patterns of cultural change over time, while specific evolution focuses on changes within particular societies.

Sahlins and Service developed these concepts to explain the complexity and diversity of cultural evolution. L.H. Morgan and E.В. Tylor contributed to early evolutionary theories, but their work did not differentiate between general and specific evolution. J.J. Bachofen's work focused on matriarchy and did not address these evolutionary concepts.

54. The most important dimensions of Human Development Index (HDI) are:

(a) Growth rate of economy
(b) Health (Life Expectancy)
(c) Quality of Living
(d) Gross Domestic Produce
(e) Identity Crystallization
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C. (b) and (c) only
Solution:The most important dimensions of the Human Development Index (HDI) are health (life expectancy) and quality of living. HDI measures three key dimensions: life expectancy at birth (health), mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling (education), and gross national income per capita (standard of living).

Economic growth rate (a) and GDP (d) are related to economic performance but are not direct components of HDI. Identity crystallization (e) is not relevant to HDI. Thus, health and quality of living are crucial for assessing human development.

55. Identify the writings of N.K. Bose:

(a) Cultural Contours of Tribal Bihar
(b) The Acculturation of Bhumij
(c) Cultural Zones of India
(d) The Hindu Method of Tribal Absorption
(e) Tribe Caste and Nation
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: C. (c) and (d) only
Solution:The writings of N.K. Bose include "Cultural Zones of India" and "The Hindu Method of Tribal Absorption." These works reflect Bose's contributions to understanding Indian culture and the processes of cultural integration.

"Cultural Zones of India" explores the diverse cultural regions within the country, while "The Hindu Method of Tribal Absorption" examines how tribal groups integrate into Hindu society. "Cultural Contours of Tribal Bihar," "The Acculturation of Bhumij," and "Tribe Caste and Nation" are not attributed to Bose, making (c) and (d) the correct choices.

56. Identify the books written by Claude LeviStrauss:

(a) The Theory of Social Structure
(b) The Elementary Structures of Kinship
(c) Social Structure
(d) Structural Anthropology
(e) Structure and Sentiment
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Correct Answer: D. (b) and (d) only
Solution:Claude Lévi-Strauss wrote "The Elementary Structures of Kinship" and "Structural Anthropology". Lévi-Strauss is a key figure in structural anthropology, which analyzes cultural systems through underlying structures.

"The Elementary Structures of Kinship" explores kinship systems and their universal patterns, while "Structural Anthropology" discusses his theoretical framework. "The Theory of Social Structure," "Social Structure," and "Structure and Sentiment" are not his works. Therefore, the correct books by Lévi-Strauss are (b) and (d).

57. The important aspects of research ethics suggested for anthropologists include :

(a) Informed consent of the participants in research is essential
(b) National interest gets priority
(c) Protection of the interests of funding agencies
(d) Protection of the privacy and dignity of the participants
(e) Research objectives should not be revealed to the participants
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

Correct Answer: D. (a) and (d) only
Solution:Important aspects of research ethics for anthropologists include informed consent of the participants in research and the protection of the privacy and dignity of the participants. Informed consent ensures that participants are fully aware of the research and agree to participate voluntarily.

Protecting privacy and dignity respects participants' rights and maintains ethical standards. National interest (b), funding agencies' interests (c), and not revealing research objectives (e) are not central to research ethics. Thus, (a) and (d) are the critical ethical considerations.

58. Who among the following worked on Jajmani system in India?

(a) A.C. Mayer
(b) David F. Pocock
(c) Thomas O Beidelman
(d) Harold Gould
(e) Emile Senart
Choose the correct answer from the options given below

Correct Answer: C. (c) and (d) only
Solution:The scholars who worked on the Jajmani system in India are Thomas O. Beidelman and Harold Gould. The Jajmani system is a traditional socio-economic arrangement prevalent in Indian villages, where various castes provide services to each other in a reciprocal manner. Thomas O. Beidelman studied the socio-economic relationships and dynamics within the Jajmani system. Harold Gould also conducted significant research on the Jajmani system, focusing on its structural and functional aspects in rural India.

A.C. Mayer and David F. Pocock made substantial contributions to the study of caste and village life in India but did not specifically focus on the Jajmani system. Emile Senart was known for his work on the broader aspects of caste in India but not specifically on the Jajmani system. Therefore, the correct scholars associated with the Jajmani system are Thomas O. Beidelman and Harold Gould.

59. The anthropologists who used comparative method are :

(a) George Peter Murdock
(b) C.V. Fürer Haimendorf
(c) B. Malinowski
(d) A.R. Radcliffe-Brown
(e) E.R. Leach
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. (a) and (d) only
Solution:Anthropologists who used the comparative method include George Peter Murdock and A.R. Radcliffe-Brown. The comparative method involves comparing different cultures to identify similarities and differences and to develop generalizations about human behaviour. Murdock's crosscultural studies and Radcliffe-Brown's structural-functional analysis exemplify this approach. C.V. Fürer Haimendorf,  B. Malinowski, and E.R. Leach used other methodologies. Thus, Murdock and Radcliffe-Brown are the key figures in the comparative method.

60. The advantages of mailed questionnaire are:

(a) It saves time required for the study
(b) Answers can be checked and verified
(c) It saves money as payment to the investigators can be avoided
(d) It is more scientific and objective
(e) One can know who are responding to the questions
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: A. (a) and (c) only
Solution:The advantages of mailed questionnaires are that they save time required for the study and save money as payment to the investigators can be avoided. Mailed questionnaires allow researchers to collect data quickly and efficiently without the need for face-to-face interviews, reducing the overall cost of the study.

While answers can be checked and verified, and mailed questionnaires can be scientific and objective, these are not specific advantages of the method. Knowing who responds is not guaranteed. Therefore, the primary advantages are time and cost savings.