Sociology
Over the past 30 years, is religious affiliation in the United States increasing, decreasing, or staying the same?
Decreasing!
Weregild was used as a system of punishment for many crimes, including murder, in the Middle Ages (up to the 12th Century). This would be equivalent to which modern day punishment: death penalty, imprisonment, probation, or fine.
Fine! You paid a fine to the family of the victim dependent on that victim’s social status - so yes, kill a commoner and you ain't gotta pay much! FYI - during part of this period, we fined murderers but executed thieves!
Cannibalism, though not common, is a socially sanctioned practice found in various societies around the world. “Smart” cannibals should avoid eating which body part?
The brain!
Q. Who appears if you chant her name into a mirror 3 times?
A. Bloody Mary!
(So Candyman was a rip off of that legend I suppose!)
This was the tallest mountain in the world before the discovery of Mt. Everest
Mt. Everest. It just hadn’t been discovered yet!
Which finisher in Olympic competition tends to be the MOST sorrowful, gold, silver, or bronze?
Silver … because they nearly won and compare themselves with gold. Bronze tends to be nearly as happy gold, since bronze compares themselves with all those who did not make the podium
You all know your Miranda rights (“you have the right to remain silent, anything you say blah blah”). When must the police “read” you these rights?
Prior to interrogations or questioning! You don't have to be read your rights at arrest!
Which of the following surgical procedures was performed to treat conditions like headaches, epilepsy, schizophrenia, relieve endocranial pressure, or as part of a ritual practice, and involved drilling a hole in the skull?
A. Lobotomy
B. Trepanation
C. Cranioplasty
D. Sinus surgery
Trepanation! How does drilling a hole in your skull help with a headache?!?
Q. When does the Vanishing Hitchhiker usually vanish—when she’s near a cemetery; after she kills the driver; once she gets to where she died; or, while in the moving vehicle?
A. while in the moving vehicle
This delicious beverage (you can’t have any) is named after Queen Mary I (aka Mary Tudor), the eldest daughter of Henry VIII
Blood Mary!
Which developed nation is the ONLY one in the world without a national healthcare system?
USA, baby!
Today, the US Secret Service’s main duty is to protect the President (and other members of the Executive Branch). What was their original job when they were formed in 1865?
Investigating counterfeiting
What practice do the Toraja people of Indonesia follow regarding their deceased loved ones?
A. They bury their dead without any rituals
B. They mummify the bodies and keep them in their homes, treating them as if they are still alive until they can afford a funeral
C. They cremate their dead and scatter the ashes in the sea
D. They leave the bodies in trees for nature to take its course
E. They host weekly karaoke nights for the preserved bodies to keep the spirits entertained
B! They even talk to them and bring them food!
Q. Taylor Swift’s Folklore album isn’t actually folklore. True or false?
A. True
(Darlene - you want to explain this one ;)
This person was the killer at Camp Crystal Lake in the original 1980 film Friday the 13th.
Pamela Vorhees (Jason’s mommy!)
What is the current median age of first marriage for men?
30 (FYI - it's 28 for women)
The US Secret Service took over the role of protecting the President after which President was assassinated?
McKinley (the 3rd dead President…yep took us 3 dead Presidents to figure out we should have someone protect them. True Story!)
In what country are the oldest mummies in the world found?
China
Egypt
Chile
Iraq
Italy
Chile! the Chinchorro mummies of the Atacama Desert are over 7,000 years old and pre-date Egyptian mummies by about 2,000 years
Q. According to urban legend, what candy is supposedly fatal if mixed with soda and consumed—Skittles, M&Ms, Pop Rocks, Life Savers?
A. Pop Rocks
The mask worn by Michael in the 1978 film Halloween was made from a mask modeled on this famous actor’s face.
William Shatner!
If he spent $1 million dollars per day, how long would it take Elon Musk to spend through his fortune?
Nearly 667 years. If you’re wondering what this has to do with sociology, take a class and learn about the wealth gap! It’s BIG!!!
Some of the most iconic horror film characters – Norman Bates (Psycho), Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Buffalo Bill (Silence of the Lambs), and Dr. Oliver Thredson (American Horror Story – Asylum) among others – were all based in part on this real-life killer arrested in 1957.
Ed Gein – the Butcher of Plainfield
Mortuary cannibalism, eating ones deceased family/community members as part of the grieving process, is also known as:
Familial cannibalism
Affectionate cannibalism
Delicious cannibalism
Aggressive cannibalism
Affectionate cannibalism! Awww...how sweet🥰
Q. Folklorists study many different forms of artistry in everyday life, including graffiti on bathroom walls. What do we call these markings on the wall?
A. Latrinalia!
This WKU College was originally founded as an independent women’s college in 1889 and closed in 1909 when it was acquired by WKU.
Potter College!