Question

Some polynesian communities believe in the impersonal force called mana and that having high levels of mana marks people as sacred. The practice of royal endogamy was one way of making sure that this impersonal force remained within this ruling class. What type of explanation is this?

a: a latent function, the explanation investigators give for people's customs
b: an affinal function that encourages the extension of affinal bonds to an ever widening circle of people
c: a genetic explanation
d: a manifest function, the explanations people give for their customs
e: an etic explanation

Answer 1

The Polynesian practice of royal endogamy to preserve mana within the ruling class is a manifest function, which is the explicit reason people give for their customs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The belief that high levels of mana mark people as sacred in some Polynesian communities, and the associated practice of royal endogamy to preserve this force within the ruling class, is best described as a manifest function. A manifest function is the overt or intended explanation people provide for their customs. In this case, the explanation is that royal endogamy is practiced to maintain the sacredness and power within the ruling lineage.