Sociocultural Anthropology 111 ~ One World, Many Peoples

Enculturation

The process of learning the cultural rules and logic of one's society.

Cultural Relativism

The principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood in terms of their own culture.

Holism

The idea that all parts of human life and culture are interconnected and must be studied in relation to one another.

Ethnography

The primary research method in anthropology involving deep, immersive fieldwork and participant observation.

Emic Perspective

An insider's view—understanding beliefs and behaviors from the perspective of the people being studied.

Etic Perspective

An outsider's view—analyzing cultural behavior from an external standpoint.

Structural Violence

Systematic ways in which social structures or institutions harm individuals by preventing them from meeting their basic needs.

Symbolic Violence

Using cultural symbols and meanings that perpetuate power imbalances and legitimations of violence.

Moral Relativism

The view that moral judgments are valid only within particular cultural contexts.

Individualism

A social theory that emphasizes the individual's rights and independence over the collective or community.

Collective Identity

A shared sense of belonging or identity among a group of people, which distinguishes them from others.

Primordialism

Theory that views ethnic identity as innate and permanent, arising from fundamental human needs for belonging.

Constructivism

The theory that ethnic identities are socially constructed and change over time due to societal influences.

Instrumentalism

The view that ethnic identity can be manipulated as a tool for social and political goals.

Ritual

A ceremonial act that follows a prescribed order, often marking significant life transitions or changes in identity.

Cultural Relativism (Methodological Tool)

A tool used in anthropology to understand cultures on their own terms, avoiding ethnocentric judgments.

Cultural Patterning

The idea that a culture develops a dominant psychological 'pattern' that shapes individual behavior and morality.

Kula Ring

A ceremonial exchange system among the Trobriand Islanders that involves the circulation of shell valuables.

Ethnic Group

A social collectivity whose members identify with each other based on shared cultural attributes.

Social Stratification

A system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy.

Gender Ideology

A set of beliefs about gender roles that dictate expectations and influence social worth.

Neoliberalism

An economic and political ideology that emphasizes free-market capitalism and minimizes state intervention.

Cultural Capital

Non-financial social assets, such as education or intellect, that can promote social mobility.

Rites of Passage

Ceremonial transitions marking significant changes in an individual's social status.

Cross-Cultural Comparison

Analyzing similarities and differences across cultures to understand social phenomena.

Participant Observation

A research method where the anthropologist immerses themselves in the daily life of the community being studied.

Agency

The capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices.

Socialization

The process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and beliefs of their culture.

Cultural Constructs

Ideas and practices that are created and agreed upon by members of a culture.

Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs)

Economic policies promoted by the IMF and World Bank that aim to reform economies, often leading to austerity measures.

Cultural Empathy

The ability to understand and relate to the cultural practices and beliefs of others.

Social Gradient in Health

The phenomenon where health outcomes improve as socioeconomic status increases.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

Cultural Symbol

An object or gesture that represents a broader cultural meaning or idea.

Class System

An open system of social stratification based primarily on economic factors.

Caste System

A closed system of social stratification where status is ascribed at birth, often based on family lineage.

Gift Economy

An economic system where goods and services are offered without explicit agreements for immediate or future rewards.

Holism in Anthropology

The approach that considers all aspects of human life and culture, integrating biological, cultural, and historical perspectives.

Cultural Anthropology

The study of cultural variation among humans and how cultures shape behavior and beliefs.

Social Identity Theory

A psychological perspective that considers how individuals derive a sense of self from their group memberships.

Trobriand Islanders

An indigenous group known for their complex social structures and the Kula exchange system.

Conflict Theory

A sociological perspective that examines the struggles between various social groups over power and resources.

Functionalism

A sociological theory that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

Social Networks

The social relationships and connections among individuals or groups.

Altruism

The selfless concern for the well-being of others, often leading to acts of kindness or charity.

Cultural Imperialism

The imposition of one culture's values and practices over another, often linked to colonialism.

Intersectionality

An analytical framework for understanding how various social identities intersect to create unique experiences of advantage or disadvantage.

Transnationalism

The process of people maintaining relationships across national borders, contributing to identity formation and community building.

Neoliberal Globalization

The economic practice characterized by the expansion of free markets and reduction of state intervention, leading to increased global interconnectedness.

Cultural Nuance

The subtle differences in cultural meanings, practices, and interpretations among groups.

Gender Construct

The societal norms and expectations that define roles, behaviors, and attributes associated with being male or female.

Cultural Transmission

The process by which cultural beliefs and practices are spread from one generation to the next.

Structural Adjustment

Reforms imposed by international financial institutions aimed at stabilizing and restructuring economies.

Collective Memory

The shared pool of knowledge and information in the memories of two or more members of a group.

Cultural Myths

Deeply held beliefs that shape group identities and justify social structures.

Cultural Practices

Established patterns of behavior that are characteristic of a particular culture.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The theory that the structure of a language affects its speakers' world view or cognition.

Social Contract Theory

The philosophical idea that individuals agree, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a society and abide by its rules.

Social Norms

Unwritten rules about how to behave in a particular social group or culture.

Gender Stratification

The unequal distribution of power, status, and resources between genders.

Microaggressions

Subtle, often unintentional, acts of discrimination or bias against marginalized groups.

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power, dominating in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.

Cultural Hegemony

The dominance of one cultural group over others, influencing values and norms.

Moral Economy

The concept that economic practices are embedded within social and cultural values.

Civic Identity

The identity associated with one's participation as a citizen within a political community.

Cultural Diversity

The variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

Diaspora

The dispersion of any people from their original homeland.

Cultural Identity

The identity or feeling of belonging to a group that shares the same culture, language, traditions, or values.

Culturally Specific

Referring to practices or beliefs that are unique to a particular culture.

Socialization Process

The lifelong process through which people learn the norms, values, and behaviors appropriate to their society.

Inclusive Cultures

Cultures that embrace diversity and encourage participation and representation from all demographic groups.

Cultural Exchange

The process of sharing ideas, traditions, and practices between cultures.

Gift Exchange

The practice of giving and receiving gifts, which can serve to strengthen social bonds.

Cultural Connectivity

The ways in which cultures influence and interact with one another through various forms of exchange.

Eco-social Perspective

An approach that considers the interconnectedness of ecological and social factors in shaping human behavior.