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

Total Questions: 100

11. Who introduced the term 'Jajmani System' to Social Anthropology?

Correct Answer: C. William Wiser
Solution:William H. Wiser introduced the term 'Jajmani System' to Social Anthropology. The Jajmani system refers to the traditional relationship between different caste groups within an Indian village community, especially in Northern India. In this system, lower caste families are attached to a family of a higher caste, known as a Jajman, and provide various services in exchange for goods or money.

William Wiser's study on this system focused on understanding how these relationships were structured and maintained over time, often leading to complex interdependencies within the village community. His work provided insights into the caste dynamics, social obligations, and economic arrangements that shaped everyday life in traditional Indian villages.

12. "Medical systems mirrors power differentiation in social classes" is attributed to:

Correct Answer: D. Merrill Singer and Hans Baer
Solution:The statement "Medical systems mirror power differentiation in social classes" is attributed to Merrill Singer and Hans Baer. This perspective highlights how medical systems are not neutral but are shaped by the social, political, and economic context in which they operate.

The medical system reflects the power imbalances and inequalities present in society, where access to healthcare, treatment options, and medical knowledge are often determined by one's social class. Singer and Baer's work has contributed to the development of medical anthropology, a field that explores the complex interplay between health, illness, culture, and society.

13. Who among the following feminist anthropologists gave the concept of 'muted group' referring to women?

Correct Answer: C. Edwin Ardener
Solution:Edwin Ardener, a British anthropologist, gave the concept of the 'muted group, referring to women in certain contexts. This concept explores how women's voices and experiences are often silenced or marginalized within patriarchal societies.

The muted group theory posits that dominant groups create and control communication structures, rendering certain groups, particularly women, "muted" or less articulate in public discourse. Ardener's work has been influential in feminist anthropology, highlighting how gender shapes communication, power dynamics, and social structures, and it has prompted further research into how women's experiences and perspectives can be more fully integrated and valued.

14. Which of the following communities in South India was studied by Kathleen Gough?

Correct Answer: B. Nayars
Solution:Kathleen Gough studied the Nayars, a community in South India. Her research focused on the unique matrilineal kinship system of the Nayars, where descent and inheritance are traced through the female line. This system has attracted significant attention from anthropologists due to its rarity and complexity.

Gough's work provided important insights into the social organization, economic arrangements, and cultural practices of the Nayars. Her detailed ethnographic study contributed to a broader understanding of matrilineal societies, gender roles, family structures, and how these factors interact with other social and cultural dimensions.

15. Who suggested that the motive for Sanskritization is not imitation per se but an expression of challenge and revolt against the socio-economic deprivation?

Correct Answer: C. Harold Gould
Solution:Harold Gould suggested that the motive for Sanskritization is not imitation per se but an expression of challenge and revolt against the socio-economic deprivation. Sanskritization refers to the process by which lower-caste groups adopt the customs, rituals, and practices of higher-caste groups, particularly those associated with Brahminical traditions. Gould's perspective emphasizes that this process is not merely about emulating the higher castes but is often driven by a desire to challenge the existing social hierarchy and to improve socioeconomic status.

His analysis of Sanskritization contributes to understanding the complex motivations behind social mobility, identity formation, and resistance within the Indian caste system. It also sheds light on how cultural practices are shaped by and respond to broader social and economic contexts.

16. Which of the following linguistic families is associated with the Santali language?

Correct Answer: A. Austro-Asiatic family
Solution:The Santali language belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family. This family of languages is primarily spoken in Southeast Asia and the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. Santali is a major language of the Munda branch of the Austro-Asiatic family, spoken by the Santal people in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

The language has a rich oral tradition, and its speakers have contributed significantly to the cultural heritage of the regions where they live. The classification of Santali within the AustroAsiatic family has provided insights into the historical migration and settlement patterns of various ethnic groups in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

17. A.L. Kroeber in his famous essay. "The Super Organic" published in the year 1917 clarified the distinction between:

Correct Answer: C. Culture and Civilization
Solution:A.L. Kroeber's famous essay, "The Super Organic," published in 1917, clarified the distinction between Culture and Civilization. In this essay, Kroeber argued that culture represents a super-organic level of reality that transcends individual biological organisms.

He posited that culture should be understood as a complex system with its dynamics and principles, distinct from biological processes. Civilization, on the other hand, he defined as a specific stage or type of culture characterized by certain social and technological advancements. Kroeber's work helped to shape anthropological thought, emphasizing the importance of studying culture as a separate and unique phenomenon within the human experience.

18. Who called classical evolutionism as pseudo historical and conjectural history?

Correct Answer: B. A.R. Radcliffe-Brown
Solution:A.R. Radcliffe-Brown called classical evolutionism "pseudo-historical" and "conjectural history." Classical evolutionism was an early anthropological theory that proposed a linear progression of societies from "primitive" to "civilized" stages. RadcliffeBrown criticized this approach for being speculative and lacking empirical evidence, particularly in its tendency to generalize and oversimplify complex social phenomena.

He argued for a more scientific and systematic approach to anthropology, focusing on the analysis of social structures and their functions within specific cultural contexts. Radcliffe-Brown's criticism laid the groundwork for the development of structuralfunctionalism, a prominent theoretical perspective in anthropology.

19. The analytical framework in which a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of differentiation and privilege is called:

Correct Answer: C. Intersectionality
Solution:Intersectionality is the analytical framework in which a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of differentiation and privilege.

This concept, developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw, emphasizes how various social categories such as race, gender, class, and sexual orientation intersect and interact to shape an individual's experiences and opportunities. Unlike approaches that consider these categories separately, intersectionality recognizes that they are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, creating complex systems of advantage and disadvantage. This framework has become instrumental in feminist theory, critical race studies, and social justice movements, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of inequality and discrimination.

20. The process of extensive borrowing of aspects of culture in the context of super ordinate - subordinate relations between societies, usually occurs as the result of external pressure is called as:

Correct Answer: B. Acculturation
Solution:The process of extensive borrowing of aspects of culture in the context of superordinate-subordinate relations between societies, usually occurring as the result of external pressure, is referred to as Acculturation. Acculturation involves the exchange and adaptation of cultural elements between different cultural groups, particularly when one group dominates or influences the other. This can result from colonization, migration, or prolonged contact between different societies.

Acculturation can lead to significant changes in language, customs, beliefs, and social practices, as one culture absorbs elements of another. It may also result in a blending of cultures or the suppression of certain cultural aspects, reflecting broader power dynamics and social relations between the interacting groups. Acculturation has been a central concept in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies, illuminating the complex processes of cultural change, adaptation, and resistance.