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QUESTION 1 a). Explain Bronislaw Malinowski's Permanent Vital Sequence in relation to culture. (10 MARKS) b). Outline Five principles of communication. (5 MARKS) c). Describe the features about humans that have allowed them to develop a complex technology. (5 MARKS) QUESTION 2 a). Explain the ways in which Bronislaw Malinowski's basic needs are met in a given culture. (9 MARKS) b). Explain ways in which a subculture differs from a culture. (6 MARKS) QUESTION 3 a). Explain three benefits of one style of education. (7.5 MARKS) b). Describe the process of acculturation and enculturation. (7.5 MARKS) QUESTION 4 a). Based on technological function, describe the basic tool types that may be used in society. (8 MARKS) b). Explain the role of communication in relation to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. (7 MARKS) QUESTION 5 a). Explain three principles of interpersonal communication. (7.5 MARKS) b). Communication is systemic using relevant illustrations , explain this statement. (7.5 MARKS)
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**QUESTION 1**<br /><br />**a). Bronislaw Malinowski's Permanent Vital Sequence and Culture:**<br /><br />Bronislaw Malinowski argued that culture functions to meet basic biological and psychological needs. His "Permanent Vital Sequence" outlines a hierarchy of these needs and how culture responds to them. It posits that every culture must address these needs in a cyclical manner for its survival. The sequence is as follows:<br /><br />1. **Biological Needs:** These are the most fundamental needs, including metabolism (hunger and thirst), reproduction, bodily comforts (shelter, rest), safety, movement, and growth.<br /><br />2. **Instrumental Needs:** These are the cultural responses developed to satisfy the biological needs. They include the systems of production and distribution of food (agriculture, hunting, trade), kinship and marriage systems for reproduction, housing and clothing for comfort and safety, and activities related to movement and growth.<br /><br />3. **Integrative Needs:** These needs arise from the organization and implementation of the instrumental needs. They include education and social control mechanisms (laws, customs, religion) that ensure the proper functioning of society and the transmission of cultural knowledge. These elements provide social cohesion and order.<br /><br />Malinowski believed that culture emerges as a system of responses to these needs, creating a functional whole. Each cultural element, from tools to rituals, plays a role in satisfying these needs and maintaining the overall stability of the society.<br /><br />**b). Five Principles of Communication:**<br /><br />1. **Communication is Unavoidable:** We constantly communicate, even nonverbally through body language, facial expressions, and silence.<br /><br />2. **Communication is Irreversible:** Once something is communicated, it cannot be taken back. The impact remains.<br /><br />3. **Communication is a Process:** It's not a static event but a continuous interaction involving multiple elements like sender, receiver, message, channel, and feedback.<br /><br />4. **Communication is Contextual:** The meaning of a message is influenced by the situation, relationship between communicators, and cultural background.<br /><br />5. **Communication is Learned:** Communication skills are not innate; they are developed and refined through experience and learning.<br /><br /><br />**c). Human Features Enabling Complex Technology:**<br /><br />1. **Bipedalism:** Freed hands for tool use and manipulation.<br /><br />2. **Opposable Thumbs:** Allowed for precise gripping and manipulation of objects.<br /><br />3. **Large Brain Size and Capacity:** Enabled complex thought, problem-solving, and abstract reasoning.<br /><br />4. **Language and Communication:** Facilitated the sharing of knowledge, collaboration, and transmission of information across generations.<br /><br />5. **Social Organization:** Allowed for cooperation and specialization, leading to more complex projects and innovations.<br /><br /><br />**QUESTION 2**<br /><br />**a). Meeting Malinowski's Basic Needs in a Culture (Example):**<br /><br />Let's consider the Trobriand Islanders, whom Malinowski studied.<br /><br />* **Metabolism:** Met through horticulture (yams), fishing, and distribution systems based on kinship and reciprocity.<br />* **Reproduction:** Addressed through established marriage customs and kinship structures that regulate sexual behavior and family formation.<br />* **Bodily Comforts:** Provided by building shelters, crafting clothing from natural materials, and establishing routines for rest and relaxation.<br />* **Safety:** Ensured through social rules, magical practices to mitigate perceived dangers, and defense mechanisms against neighboring tribes.<br />* **Movement:** Facilitated by the construction of canoes for travel and trade between islands.<br />* **Growth:** Supported through childcare practices, education in cultural knowledge and skills, and rituals marking transitions through life stages.<br /><br /><br />**b). Subculture vs. Culture:**<br /><br />A **culture** encompasses the shared values, beliefs, practices, and artifacts that characterize a large group of people. A **subculture** is a smaller group within a larger culture that shares specific traits distinguishing them from the broader culture. Here's how they differ:<br /><br />1. **Scope:** Cultures are broader and encompass larger populations, while subcultures are smaller and more specialized.<br /><br />2. **Distinctiveness:** Subcultures possess unique characteristics (e.g., language, dress, values) that set them apart from the dominant culture, while the dominant culture represents the mainstream.<br /><br />3. **Relationship:** Subcultures exist *within* a larger culture and often share some common ground with it, while cultures are independent entities.<br /><br />4. **Formation:** Subcultures can form around shared interests, professions, age groups, or other factors that create a sense of community, while cultures develop over long periods through shared history and experiences.<br /><br />5. **Influence:** Subcultures can influence and be influenced by the dominant culture, leading to cultural change and diversification, while cultures primarily evolve through internal and external pressures.<br /><br /><br />**QUESTION 3**<br /><br />**a). Benefits of Formal Education:**<br /><br />Formal education, typically delivered in schools, offers several benefits:<br /><br />1. **Structured Learning:** Provides a systematic curriculum and organized learning environment, facilitating the acquisition of knowledge and skills in a progressive manner.<br /><br />2. **Qualified Instruction:** Delivered by trained professionals with expertise in their subjects, ensuring quality and accuracy of information.<br /><br />3. **Socialization:** Offers opportunities for interaction with peers, developing social skills, teamwork, and a sense of community.<br /><br /><br />**b). Acculturation and Enculturation:**<br /><br />* **Enculturation:** The process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of their own culture. It occurs throughout life, primarily during childhood, through family, peers, and other cultural institutions.<br /><br />* **Acculturation:** The process of adapting to a new culture while retaining aspects of one's original culture. It involves navigating cultural differences, learning new customs, and integrating into a new society. It can lead to cultural exchange and the development of hybrid cultural identities.<br /><br /><br />**QUESTION 4**<br /><br />**a). Basic Tool Types Based on Technological Function:**<br /><br />1. **Production Tools:** Used to create or transform materials. Examples: hammers, saws, plows, looms.<br /><br />2. **Protection Tools:** Used for defense or safety. Examples: shields, spears, armor, helmets.<br /><br />3. **Information/Communication Tools:** Used to store, process, or transmit information. Examples: writing implements, printing presses, computers.<br /><br />4. **Transportation Tools:** Used for movement and travel. Examples: carts, boats, airplanes.<br /><br />5. **Subsistence Tools:** Used for obtaining food and resources. Examples: fishing nets, hunting traps, agricultural tools.<br /><br /><br />**b). Communication and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:**<br /><br />Maslow's hierarchy posits that human needs are arranged in a hierarchical order, from basic to higher-level needs. Communication plays a crucial role in fulfilling these needs:<br /><br />* **Physiological Needs:** Communication is essential for expressing needs like hunger or thirst.<br /><br />* **Safety Needs:** Communication helps establish security through warnings, sharing information about dangers, and coordinating protective measures.<br /><br />* **Love/Belonging Needs:** Communication fosters relationships, builds intimacy, and creates a sense of belonging through verbal and nonverbal expressions of affection and connection.<br /><br />* **Esteem Needs:** Communication allows for recognition, validation, and the building of self-esteem through positive feedback and social interaction.<br /><br />* **Self-Actualization Needs:** Communication facilitates self-expression, sharing of ideas, and the pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment.<br /><br /><br />**QUESTION 5**<br /><br />**a). Three Principles of Interpersonal Communication:**<br /><br />1. **Self-Disclosure:** Sharing personal information and feelings with others, which builds trust and intimacy.<br /><br />2. **Empathy:** Understanding and sharing the feelings of another person, which strengthens connection and facilitates effective communication.<br /><br />3. **Active Listening:** Paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback to ensure understanding and demonstrate genuine interest.<br /><br /><br />**b). Communication is Systemic:**<br /><br />Communication is systemic, meaning it occurs within interconnected systems of elements that influence each other. For example:<br /><br />* **Family System:** Communication patterns within a family affect each member and the overall family dynamic. A change in one member's communication style can impact the entire system.<br /><br />* **Organizational System:** Communication networks within an organization influence workflow, decision-making, and relationships between employees. A breakdown in communication can lead to inefficiency and conflict.<br /><br />* **Cultural System:** Communication norms and values within a culture shape how individuals interact and interpret messages. Different cultures have different communication styles, which can lead to misunderstandings if not recognized.<br /><br /><br />These examples illustrate how communication is not an isolated event but a complex process embedded within larger systems, where each element influences and is influenced by others.<br />
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