There is no simple or universally accepted explanation for the fact that nearly all cultures ban incest. However, the most accepted explanation for the incest taboo is
A. that following rules of exogamy is adaptively advantageous.
B. a widespread and well-founded fear of biological degeneration.
C. a genetically programmed instinctive horror.
D. a genetically determined attraction for those most different from us.
E. that isolated social groups are better at survival.
Answer: A
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In societies that recognize bilateral kinship, members of the household use the same kinship terms for both __________ and __________ kin.
A) neolocal; patrilocal B) matrilineal; patrilineal C) consanguineal; affinal D) ambilineal; marital
Why did the Canadian government outlaw potlatch feasts from 1884 to 1951?
A) They wanted to compete with the native peoples and were not included in the prestigious feast. B) They wanted the native peoples to sell the goods to the Canadian government. C) They considered it to be an irrational waste of goods. D) They considered the potlatch to be a threat to the authority of the Canadian government, which controlled the production of all native goods. E) They wanted to exterminate all of the native peoples.
The ancient city of Ani was threatened and attacked numerous times. The only thing that forestalled the total destruction of the city after these attacks was its importance as a:
a. trade center b. religious hub c. political center d. warrior training facility
Norms specifying behaviors that are prohibited in a culture are __________
a. crimes b. mores c. taboos d. conventions