Theories of Cultural Evolution (Unilinear, Multilinear, Diffusionism) – MCQs

1. What does the theory of unilinear cultural evolution propose?
(A) All cultures evolve along multiple paths
(B) All societies pass through the same stages of development
(C) Cultures evolve independently without external influence
(D) Cultural traits spread through contact with other societies

2. Who is closely associated with unilinear cultural evolution?
(A) Franz Boas
(B) Lewis Henry Morgan
(C) Bronisław Malinowski
(D) Claude Lévi-Strauss

3. What is the main focus of multilinear cultural evolution?
(A) Universal patterns of development
(B) Independent evolutionary paths in different environments
(C) Cultural stagnation
(D) Linguistic anthropology

4. Who introduced the concept of multilinear cultural evolution?
(A) Julian Steward
(B) Edward Burnett Tylor
(C) Alfred Radcliffe-Brown
(D) Leslie White

5. What is diffusionism in cultural anthropology?
(A) The idea that culture evolves independently within isolated groups
(B) The belief that cultural traits spread from one society to another
(C) The theory that all cultures follow the same evolutionary path
(D) The study of language and communication

6. Which theory suggests that cultures develop based on borrowing ideas and innovations?
(A) Diffusionism
(B) Multilinear evolution
(C) Functionalism
(D) Structuralism

7. What is a key criticism of unilinear cultural evolution?
(A) It overemphasizes cultural borrowing
(B) It ignores the diversity and complexity of cultural development
(C) It lacks any scientific basis
(D) It focuses too heavily on material culture

8. Which theory recognizes environmental factors as critical to cultural evolution?
(A) Multilinear evolution
(B) Unilinear evolution
(C) Diffusionism
(D) Structuralism

9. What is the primary method used in diffusionist studies?
(A) Historical and ethnographic analysis
(B) Laboratory experiments
(C) Genetic sequencing
(D) Radiocarbon dating

10. Which anthropologist is associated with the development of the diffusionist perspective?
(A) Franz Boas
(B) Grafton Elliot Smith
(C) Leslie White
(D) Julian Steward

11. What does unilinear cultural evolution assume about technological progress?
(A) It is specific to each culture
(B) It occurs in universally consistent stages
(C) It is primarily influenced by diffusion
(D) It has no role in societal development

12. What is the difference between unilinear and multilinear evolution?
(A) Unilinear evolution emphasizes environmental adaptation, while multilinear evolution does not
(B) Unilinear evolution follows a single path for all societies, while multilinear evolution recognizes varied paths
(C) Unilinear evolution focuses on diffusion, while multilinear evolution does not
(D) Unilinear evolution is concerned with material culture, while multilinear evolution focuses on religion

13. Which theory focuses on the impact of ecological factors on cultural change?
(A) Functionalism
(B) Multilinear evolution
(C) Diffusionism
(D) Unilinear evolution

14. Which of the following is a key critique of diffusionism?
(A) It ignores environmental influences
(B) It overemphasizes cultural isolation
(C) It undervalues the role of independent innovation
(D) It lacks empirical evidence

15. What was Edward Burnett Tylor’s contribution to unilinear cultural evolution?
(A) He focused on diffusion of religious practices
(B) He proposed that societies progress from savagery to civilization
(C) He emphasized the diversity of cultural adaptations
(D) He developed the theory of multilinear evolution

16. Which theory is often described as ethnocentric for placing Western civilization at the top of the evolutionary ladder?
(A) Diffusionism
(B) Unilinear cultural evolution
(C) Multilinear evolution
(D) Structural-functionalism

17. Which concept is integral to multilinear cultural evolution?
(A) Universal stages of progress
(B) Environmental determinism
(C) Borrowing and diffusion
(D) Biological evolution

18. Who is a key proponent of cultural ecology within the multilinear evolution framework?
(A) Leslie White
(B) Julian Steward
(C) Bronisław Malinowski
(D) Edward Burnett Tylor

19. What is the primary focus of cultural diffusion studies?
(A) Independent innovation
(B) How cultural traits spread from one society to another
(C) The ecological adaptations of societies
(D) The classification of human societies

20. What does unilinear evolution often fail to account for?
(A) Shared cultural traits among societies
(B) Independent paths of cultural change
(C) The development of agriculture
(D) The role of religion in societal development