Anthropology

Cultural Anthropology

Study of cultural variation among humans, focusing on social practices, values, and beliefs.

Linguistic Anthropology

Examines the role of language in social life, including how language shapes and reflects cultural identity.

Archaeological Anthropology

Investigates past human societies through material remains to understand cultural evolution.

Biological Anthropology

Focuses on the biological aspects of humans, including evolution, genetics, and health.

Culture

Shared behaviors, beliefs, and values of a group.

Culture Shock

Disorientation experienced when encountering a different culture.

Ethnography

Detailed study of a culture through immersive observation and participation.

Fieldwork

Research conducted in a natural setting to gather firsthand data.

Emic Approach

An insider’s perspective on a culture.

Etic Approach

An outsider’s analytical perspective on a culture.

Objectivity

The practice of remaining neutral and unbiased in observation and analysis.

Subjectivity

Acknowledgment of personal biases in research.

Participant Observation

Research method where the researcher engages with the community while observing its activities.

Direct Observation

Watching and recording behaviors as they occur.

Interviews

Semi-structured and informal conversations to gather qualitative data.

Quantitative Data

Numerical data used for statistical analysis.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive data providing detailed insights.

Cultural Relativism

Understanding a culture in its own context without judgment.

Ethnocentrism

Evaluating other cultures based on one's own cultural standards.

Ethics of Fieldwork

Guiding principle to 'do no harm' to subjects being studied.

Reception Study

Investigates how audiences interpret media.

Encoding Media

The creation of media content.

Decoding Media

How audiences interpret media content.

Co-creation

Collaborative process between filmmakers and subjects in creating visual narratives.

Anthropology of the Senses

Study of how sensory experiences influence cultural understanding.

Soundscapes

Acoustic environments that shape cultural experiences.

Language Ideology

Beliefs about language that shape social practices.

Multifunctionality

Language serving multiple purposes in social contexts.

Language Loss

The decline or extinction of a language.

Resistance

Efforts to maintain or revive endangered languages.

Context

The setting in which artifacts are found, crucial for interpretation.

Artifacts

Objects made or used by humans, crucial for archaeological study.

Paleoethnobotany

Study of plant remains from archaeological sites.

Zooarchaeology

Study of animal remains in archaeological contexts.

Bioarchaeology

Study of human remains to understand past populations.

Taphonomy

Study of how organisms decay and fossilize.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction based on prior knowledge.

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world.

Paleopathology

Study of ancient diseases in human remains.

Chronic Conditions

Long-term health conditions.

Acute Conditions

Severe, short-term health conditions.

Demography

Statistical study of populations.

Public Health

Focus on health outcomes for populations.

Holism

Understanding health as a complex interplay of factors.

Medical Ecology

Studies the relationship between health and environment.

Structural Violence

Examination of how social structures harm individuals.