Introduction to Biological Anthropology

Vocabulary flashcards based on the introductory chapter of biological anthropology, defining the disciplines, subfields, research methods, and foundational scientific concepts.

Eve of Naharon

An 80% complete human skeleton dated to 13,600 years ago found in underwater caves in Mexico, currently identified as the oldest known North American skeleton.

Anthropology

A discipline that explores human differences and similarities by investigating our biological and cultural complexity, past and present; literally the "study of humans."

Cultural Anthropology

The subdiscipline that focuses on similarities and differences among living persons and societies, often learning through participant-observation fieldwork.

Cultural Relativism

The practice of suspending one's sense of what is expected in their own culture to understand other perspectives without judging them.

Participant-observation

A research method common in cultural anthropology that involves living with, observing, and participating in the same activities as the people one studies.

Margaret Mead

A famous U.S. cultural anthropologist who conducted cross-cultural studies in Samoa, arguing that nurture (socialization) shaped adolescent development more than nature.

Linguistic Anthropology

The study of human language, exploring how it emerged, evolved, conveys social identity, and influences our worldview.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The principle, also known as linguistic relativity, which states that the language a person speaks shapes how they think about or process the world.

Archaeology

The subdiscipline that focuses on material remains—such as tools, pottery, and bones—to better understand people and societies.

Excavation

A critical archaeological method involving the careful digging and removing of sediment to uncover material remains while recording their context.

Biological Anthropology

The study of human evolution and biological variation, formerly known as physical anthropology.

Applied Anthropology

Sometimes called the fifth subdiscipline, it involves the practical application of anthropological theories, methods, and findings to solve real-world problems.

Holism

The research approach that looks at the interactions among several aspects of complex bodies or societies rather than focusing on a singular aspect.

Comparison

An approach that compares and contrasts data from different populations, groups, or the same group over time to understand commonalities and differences.

Dynamism

An anthropological focus on the ability of humans to change biologically and culturally over short-term and long-term periods.

Fieldwork

A commitment to conducting research in the field where data lives, such as cities, villages, caves, or tropical forests.

Anthropometry

An early physical anthropology method dedicated to the detailed measurement of human bodies.

Craniometry

An early physical anthropology method involving the measurement of human skulls.

Primatology

A subfield of biological anthropology that studies the anatomy, behavior, ecology, and genetics of living and extinct nonhuman primates.

Paleoanthropology

A subfield that studies human ancestors from the distant past to learn how, why, and where they evolved using physical evidence like fossils.

Hominins

Species regarded as human, directly ancestral to humans, or very closely related to humans.

Molecular Anthropology

A subfield that uses molecular techniques, primarily genetics, to compare ancient and modern populations or study living humans and nonhuman primates.

Bioarchaeology

The study of human skeletal remains along with surrounding soils and materials to answer questions about the lifeways and health of past populations.

Forensic Anthropology

An applied area of biological anthropology that develops biological profiles for unidentified individuals to aid law enforcement.

Human Biology

Research exploring how the human body is affected by different physical environments, cultural influences, nutrition, disease, and growth.

Empirical

Refers to experience or evidence that is verified by observation rather than deriving primarily from logic or theory.

Hypothesis

An explanation of observed facts that reflects knowledge-based experiences, relies on empirical evidence, is testable, and is refutable.

Scholarly Peer Review

The process whereby an author's work must pass the scrutiny of other experts in the field before being accepted for publication.

Theory

An explanation of observations that addresses a wide range of phenomena, relies on empirical evidence, and has stood the test of time through rigorous testing.

Law

A prediction about what will happen given certain conditions, often expressed mathematically, such as $F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$.

Knowledge System

A unified way of knowing shared by a group of people used to explain and predict phenomena.

Scientific Understanding

Knowledge accumulated by systematic scientific study, supported by rigorous testing, and organized by general principles.

Belief

A firmly held opinion or conviction based on trust, faith, or spiritual apprehension rather than empirical proof or repeated validation.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Ways of knowing specific to an Indigenous community, informed by prolonged empirical observation of a specific environment and passed down over generations.