Ruth Benedict’s belief about what is responsible for personality differences between people, especially from different parts of the world. (Hint: think in terms of learning and heredity.) | only learning (Few anthropologists would agree today.) |
Margaret Mead’s belief about what causes masculine personality traits in men and feminine ones in women. (Hint: think in terms of learning and heredity.) | only learning (Few anthropologists would agree today.) |
The region of the world where Margaret Mead carried out most of her research into the causes of masculine and feminine personality traits. | South Pacific (Polynesia and Melanesia) |
The general term for the most common personality type within a society. | modal personality |
The modal personality that has a strong emphasis on doing things the same way that they have always been done. (Hint: this type of personality was identified by David Riesman in the early 1950's.) | tradition-oriented personality |
The modal personality that is guilt oriented. The behavior of individuals with this sort of personality are strongly controlled by their conscience. As a result, there is little need for police to make sure that they obey the law. These individuals monitor themselves. (Hint: this type of personality was identified by David Riesman in the early 1950's.) | inner-directed personality |
A distinct culturally specific personality pattern acquired during the process of being enculturated. This idea that personality is almost entirely learned rather than genetically inherited is no longer widely believed in anthropology and psychology. However, it was a common view during the first half of the 20th century as a result of the work of Ruth Benedict and others. | national personality type (or ethos) |
The modal personality that is shame oriented. People with this type of personality have ambiguous feelings about right and wrong. When they deviate from a societal norm, they usually don't feel guilty. However, if they are caught in the act or exposed publicly, they are likely to feel shame. (Hint: this type of personality was identified by David Riesman in the early 1950's.) | other-directed personality |
An individual’s entire complex of mental characteristics that makes him or her unique from other people. It includes all of the patterns of thought, emotions, and other mental traits that cause us to do and say things in particular ways. | personality |
The general term for ritual ceremonies intended to mark the transition from one phase of life to another. | rites of passage |
The things that baptisms, bar mitzvahs and confirmations, school graduation ceremonies, weddings, retirement parties, and funerals have in common. | As rites of passage, they help the individuals making the transition, as well their relatives and friends, pass through an emotionally charged, tense time. They also reinforce the dominant values of the culture. |
The medical term for removing all or part of the foreskin of the penis with a knife. In some cultures, this surgery is part of a rite of passage marking the transition from childhood to adulthood for boys. | circumcision |
The medical term for cutting off all or part of the clitoris and sometime all or part of the labia. In some African and Middle Eastern cultures, this surgery is done as part of a rite of passage marking the transition from childhood to adulthood for girls. | clitoridectomy |
The medical term for cutting into the side of the penis or making a hole entirely through it. In some cultures, this surgery is done as part of a rite of passage marking the transition from childhood to adulthood for boys. | subincision |