Social anthroplogy key concepts +Key terms

Belief and knowledge

Refers to a set of convictions, viewpoints and values regarded as the truth and shared by members of a social group.These are underpinned and supported by known cultural experience .Hegemonic groups in society will often determine with the use of their social,cultural and political power what beliefs and knowledge there is in society .

Change

The alteration or modifications of cultural or social elements in society.Change can either be Inter-societal or Intra-societal .Inter-societal refers to changes that occur between different societies, cultures, or social groups as a result of interaction between them.Or Intra-soceital changes that occur within a single society or social group

Culture

Refers to organized system of symbols,ideas ,explanations,beliefs that humans manipulate and create in the course of their daily lives.Culture refers to the customs of which humans organize their physical world and maintain their social structure.The word culture dervives from the latin word “colere”which means to cultivate therefore culture isn’t inherent it is learned.Culture is very ambiguous with over 162 different definitions stated by Konch

Power

Power is an essential feature of social relations and can be considered as individual or groups capacity to manipulate or control resources or others in society .Power in society can often be ascribed or achieved .It links to Weber’s concept of legitmacy or authority as authority refers to the legitmiat or recognized right to exercise power .

Social relations

Refers to the relationships between two or more individual in society.There can be an element of individual agency but also of group expectations in society and form the basis of social organization and structure .They pervade every aspect of human life and are extensive ,complex and diverse .

Society

This refers to ways in which humans organize themselves in groups and networks. Society is maintained through social relationships and institutions.The term society also relates to a human group that exhibits internal coherence and distinguishes itself from other groups.Society can be understand through Radcliffs browne theory of organic analogy in which he compares society to on organism in which each social institution functions like an organ which contributes to overall equilibrium and stability of society .Just as organs must work together for the health of the body, different societal structures must collaborate to maintain social cohesion and order.

Symbolism

The significance that people attach to objects ,actions and processes which contrsuct a cultural web of meaning .This link to symbolism being in the eye of the beholder as the meaning of symbols can vary depending on indivdual personal experience.CLIFFORD

Materiality

Objects ,resources and belongings have cultural meaning decribed by Arjun as “the social life of living things”

Identity

An individuals private and personal view of one self also how one is viewed from the perspective of a social group.Identity can be performed eg Judith Butler theory of gender performativity . Identity Marcel Mauss's view of the "moi" (self) is that our identity is not just something personal or internal, but is shaped by society and culture.

Status

The position a person has within social system .This may be ascribed or achieved

Role

The dynamic aspect of status ,meaning how a person is expected to behave within the context of their status

Hirearchy

The organization of people are ranked according their relative staus or power

Gender

The culturally constructed distinction between males and females