Anthropology

Paleoanthropology

Studies bone and stone remains of ancient humans to understand evolution.

Primatology

The study of both living and extinct primates.

Human Variation

The study of physical differences and similarities of existing human populations.

Bipedalism

The adaptation to habitually walk on two legs, unique to humans among primates.

Charles Darwin

The scientist known for the theory of natural selection and concepts of heritability and variation.

Survival of the Fittest

The principle that traits allowing survival and reproduction are passed on to offspring.

Ardi

The oldest and most complete hominid skeleton discovered, dating back 4.4 million years.

Cultural Anthropology

The study of culture, including values, customs, symbols, and language.

Cultural Relativism

The idea that one cannot compare cultures because each has its own internal rules.

Functional Theory

The belief that every action or belief in a culture serves to meet individual needs.

Cultural Materialism

The theory that materials and conditions within the environment influence cultural development.

Feminist Anthropology

A field analyzing the roles and voices of women in various cultures.

Post Modernism

The theory that there are no universal truths and everyone perceives reality differently.

Rites of Passage

A three-stage process (segregation, transition, incorporation) marking important life changes.

Kinship Systems

Marriage and family structures that define social relationships and obligations.

Monogamy

A form of marriage involving one partner.

Polygamy

A form of marriage involving multiple partners.

Historical Linguistics

The study comparing languages to understand their relationships and migration patterns.

Sociolinguistics

The study of how language is used within culture to express status and context.

Forensic Linguistics

The application of linguistic knowledge to criminal investigations.