Chapter 3: Studying Culture

Structuralism

Cultural differences can be explained by differences in forms or conceptual categories rather than in meanings

Interpretive/Symbolic Approach

Cultural differences can be understood as complex webs of meaning

Emic

Insider’s view

Thick Description

A research strategy that emphasizes detailed description of a cultural activity with an analysis of the layers of meaning in which those activities are embedded

Franz Boas

German-American anthropologist and a pioneer of modern anthropology who has been called the "Father of American Anthropology"

Ethnographic Network

Involves living with a community of people over extended time to better understand their lives

Participant Observation

Involves taking part in the daily activities and social interactions of a group of people as a means of learning about their lives and cultures

Reflexivity

Critical self-examination of the role the anthropologist plays and an awareness that one’s identity affects one’s fieldwork and theoretical analyses

Informed Consent

Participants in a study must be informed of the goals of the project and clearly indicate their consent to participate

Materialist Perspectives

Emphasize environmental adaptation, technologies, and methods of acquiring/providing food in the development of culture

Empiricism

The practice of conducting studies through direct observation and objective description

Etic

Outsider’s view

Unilineal Cultural Evolution

A theory proposed by 19th century anthropologists that all cultures evolve through the same sequence of stages from simple to complex

Qualitative Data

Helps to understand the nature of a phenomenon

Ethnography

A detailed description of a particular culture based on fieldwork

Quantitative Data

Measures the magnitude or distribution of a phenomenon

Multi-sited ethnography

Works only on one particular space

Urban Anthropology

Urban context

Basic Elements of Participant Observation

• Live in the context for an extended period of time

• Learn and use local language (language is important)

• Participate in a range of daily, routine, and exceptional activities with people

• Use everyday conversation as an interview technique

• Informal observation (hanging out)

• Record observations as field notes (mental and literal notes)

What contributions did Franz Boas make to American anthropology?

The theory of cultural relativism

Why do cultural anthropologists conduct ethnographic fieldwork?

The ethnographer (fieldwork) strives for deeper immersion to see from the inside how people lead their daily lives

What ethical considerations accompany ethnographic fieldwork?

Informed consent and anonymity