LBS 3860 Concepts Exam 2 Study Guide with complete
solution
Theory of Complementarity
A theory which defines males and females as opposites.
Reductionism
A simplification by which not all possible causes are considered but there is only one
single alleged cause.
Determinism
The law of cause and effect, including, for instance, the idea that a behavior has a
biological basis.
Dichotomous Categories
Classifying into just two opposing groups; thus, ignoring and gray area or overlap.
Essentialism
The idea that there is a characteristic or characteristics by which an object or genre is
defined.
Scientific Sexism
Using scientific evidence to show that there are differences between human sexes in
order to justify social inequalities.
The Great Chain of Being
A hierarchical structure of all living things considered to be decreed by God by which
some races of men are superior to others.
Scientific Racism
Using scientific evidence to show that there are differences between different races in
order to justify social inequalities.
Craniology
The study of different shapes and sizes of brains typically leading to assertions about
differences in intelligence.
What is the main focus of Birke's chapter, "In Pursuit of Difference"?
Focusing on differences between males and females is problematic.
According to Birke, what are the four main problems with focusing on
male/female difference?
A. Ignoring the degree of overlap between people in the categories
B. Mistaking averages of populations for individuals
C. Implying differences are fixed and unchanging
D. Interpreting differences to show one group is inferior
E. Failing to use a large enough sample size
A, B, C, & D
According to Birke, which are included in the multiple ways that differences
based on sex are NOT fixed and unchanging?
A. There are changes over one's life span (from childhood to adulthood)
B. There are changes historically across time.
C. There are changes across cultures.
D. There are changes due to training or exercise.
E. All of the above
solution
Theory of Complementarity
A theory which defines males and females as opposites.
Reductionism
A simplification by which not all possible causes are considered but there is only one
single alleged cause.
Determinism
The law of cause and effect, including, for instance, the idea that a behavior has a
biological basis.
Dichotomous Categories
Classifying into just two opposing groups; thus, ignoring and gray area or overlap.
Essentialism
The idea that there is a characteristic or characteristics by which an object or genre is
defined.
Scientific Sexism
Using scientific evidence to show that there are differences between human sexes in
order to justify social inequalities.
The Great Chain of Being
A hierarchical structure of all living things considered to be decreed by God by which
some races of men are superior to others.
Scientific Racism
Using scientific evidence to show that there are differences between different races in
order to justify social inequalities.
Craniology
The study of different shapes and sizes of brains typically leading to assertions about
differences in intelligence.
What is the main focus of Birke's chapter, "In Pursuit of Difference"?
Focusing on differences between males and females is problematic.
According to Birke, what are the four main problems with focusing on
male/female difference?
A. Ignoring the degree of overlap between people in the categories
B. Mistaking averages of populations for individuals
C. Implying differences are fixed and unchanging
D. Interpreting differences to show one group is inferior
E. Failing to use a large enough sample size
A, B, C, & D
According to Birke, which are included in the multiple ways that differences
based on sex are NOT fixed and unchanging?
A. There are changes over one's life span (from childhood to adulthood)
B. There are changes historically across time.
C. There are changes across cultures.
D. There are changes due to training or exercise.
E. All of the above
