Assignment 3

If you are using a quote from the reading to support your answer or are copying definitions, please make sure you
are using quotation marks and citing where your quote came from. For this type of assignment in class, if you are
taking a quote from the reading or text, last name/page number will suffice.

Introduction/Chapter 12: Reciprocity and the Power of Giving Questions

1. a. What is reciprocal exchange?

“the transfer of goods and services between two people or groups based on role
obligations” (Spradley, McCurdy pg. 117)

b. How do these types of exchanges become complex?

The reasoning for the exchange is because we are expected to yet not required, which
makes the exchange more complex. There are also rules that go along with different cultures and their
process of giving gifts. Cronk states that “gifts carry obligations” as well which means there is more
going on than a simple exchange. (pg. 121)

2. a. How can a misunderstanding of reciprocity between cultures lead to conflict?

One of the parties may be embarrassed and offended or believe the gift may not be
appropriate.

b. What cross-cultural examples are given in this chapter that illustrate the effects of such
misunderstandings?

An example between an Englishman and Indians, and Richard Lee and the !Kung hunter-
gathers.

3. a. How does Cronk describe benevolent and aggressive gift giving?

Cronk describes “a gift’s power to embarrass the recipient and to force repayment has, in
some societies, made it attractive as a weapon” (Spradley, McCurdley pg 122) which causes this practice
to turn aggressive, benevolent gifts typically are just normal gifts without an expectation of return. They
are unconditional.

b. What are the similarities and differences between the two?

Both practices require exchanging gifts and also have rules tied within them, however
aggressive turns as a way to as Cronk says embarrass and can also offend. Benevolent can gifts also can
offend people if you are not aware of the customs of that particular culture.

c. List all of the examples of benevolent and aggressive gift giving Cronk discusses in this article.
Benevolent: Richard Lee and the !Kung. Rada Dyson-Hudson and the Turkana.
The Mukogodo and Beth Leech. The “swapping” in Illinois flats.
Aggressive: Canadian Government and the Kwakiutl, the Mount Hagen tribes.

4. a. What issue does Cronk discuss in regard to international foreign aid in present-day?
 Cronk discusses concessions and the use by the United States and the Soviet Union in
present day. They can’t actively fight against one another with war but use money and gifts to gain
influence. Multiple countries do this in present day to gain spheres of influence and spread ideas. Cronk
also says this comes at the expense of lesser developed nations.

b. Does he believe foreign aid is considered benevolent, aggressive or something else?

Cronk says the gifts had an ambivalent power and that it is difficult to differentiate
between donation and domination. (Spradley, McCurdy pg. 124)

5. a. Consider gift giving practices in your own life. In what ways do these practices reveal role and
status? How is reciprocity present?

Gift giving in my own personal experience tends to be benevolent but as a person who
has been disappointed (it is a sad truth) and having given gifts that aren’t welcomed I do see the dangers
and troubling nature of gift giving. There is a clear standard and competition that I see within my own gift
exchanging. Also, when someone gives me a gift, I feel obligated to give them one. Whether it be them
buying me food and me wanting to get theirs next.

Introduction/Chapter 16: Mother's Love: Death Without Weeping Questions

1. a. How does Scheper-Hughes describe the reactions of the mothers when one of their
children dies in Bom-Jesus during the baby die-off?

Scheper-Hughes said the mothers would back off and let nature take its course. They would leave the
babies alone and not fight with death. (Spradley, McCurdy pg. 159)

b. Why do you think they react like this?

The women are so accustomed to the death of these babies and it is easier to not get attached.
2. a. What social and political institutions in northern Brazil in the 1980's allowed and
encouraged mothers not to mourn their babies when they died?

Midwives and healers encouraged mothers to let them go.

b. How did they do this?

By telling Women not to fight the deaths.

3. a. How might social, political and environmental issues affect the idea of the "mother-child"
bond?

They may cause the bond to not be as special or important.

b. Compare the idea of the mother-child bond in our own society to that of the culture
Scheper-Hughes describes.

The idea of the mother-child bond in our society is such a contrast from the Brazilian cultures.

c. Based on this reading, do you consider the idea of this strong bond to be a cultural
construct or is it a biological inevitability in humans?

I think there is definitely a biological factor in regard to nature and seeing other mammals having similar
interactions. However, I think like most normal interactions and customs are constructed by humans. I
think the strength of the bond is constructed more than the natural connection.