Question

which anthropological perspective posits that certain phenomena are natural, inevitable, universal, and biologically determined? group of answer choices essentialism cultural relativism ethnocentrism social constructionism

Answer 1

Essentialism suggests that certain characteristics are innate and universal, in contrast to other perspectives that focus on cultural and social influences. The correct answer is option: a) essentialism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The anthropological perspective that posits certain phenomena as natural, inevitable, universal, and biologically determined is known as essentialism. This perspective suggests that there are inherent, stable, and unchanging qualities that define particular categories of people or things.

In contrast to essentialism, perspectives like cultural relativism emphasize the understanding of cultures on their own terms, social constructionism focuses on how social realities are constructed through language and cultural practices, and ethnocentrism is a bias where one's own culture is considered superior. Essentialism overlooks the cultural and social influences on behavior and characteristics, instead attributing them to innate, biological factors.