Anthropology Terms & Notes

Fossil

The remains of an organism that lived at least 10,000 years ago

Holistic

Incorporating various fields of knowledge into one overall view (whole picture); studying the whole of the human condition: past, present, and future of humankind across the entire globe

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own culture is superior and that judgment of other cultures is made by one’s own standards.

Cultural Relativism

Judging the practices of another culture by its own standards/norms.

Ethnologist

One who studies culture and frequently makes cultural comparisons.

Ethnography

A non-judgmental (objective) description of a culture under study (study of one culture/community)

Ethnology

Cross-cultural comparison; the study that compares and analyzes different human cultures and societies to find their similarities and differences (compares multiple cultures/communities)

Culture Shock

A negative response to the traits and values of an unfamiliar culture.

Theory

Provides the foundational framework, ideas, and analytical tools that anthropologists use to explain human behavior, cultural patterns, social structures, and human evolution.

How is anthropology holistic? How is it comparative?

Anthropology studies the whole of the human condition: past, present, and future; biology, society, language, and culture. It is a comparative field that examines all societies, ancient and modern, simple and complex. Anthropology offers a unique cross-cultural perspective by constantly comparing the customs of one society with those of others.

How does the book define culture? Give an example that highlights this definition from your own culture.

It is distinctly human. It is traditions and customs, transmitted through learning, that form and guide beliefs and behavior of the people exposed to them.

Ex: Eating and preparing bacon buns according to my grandma’s recipe that has been passed down

Cultural Anthropology

The study of human society and culture, the subfield that describes, analyzes, interprets, and explains social and cultural similarities and differences. (culture)

Archaeological Anthropology

Reconstructs, describes, and interprets human behavior and cultural patterns through material remains. (remains/artifacts)

Biological, or Physical Anthropology

Studies the emergence of man, human evolution, and biological variations

Linguistic/Language Anthropology

Studies speech/language in its social and cultural context and compares the similarities & differences over time, space, and society

Two Dimensions of Anthropology

1) Academic Anthropology - Conducts research and develops anthropological knowledge and theories to better understand humans (generating knowledge)

2) Applied/Practicing Anthropology - Uses anthropological data, perspectives, theories, and methods to identify, assess, and solve contemporary social problems (action)

What was Shannon Dawdy’s Mission?

Her mission was to try to keep the rebuilding and cleanup of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina from destroying archaeological sites, artifacts, and other remains of the city’s past. She wanted New Orleans to be rebuilt while also preserving its cultural and archaeological heritage.

How can Anthropology be a contribution today beyond the natural disaster you just read about?

Anthropology can help solve modern issues by helping individuals deeply understand topics regarding health, education, or social conflicts. Getting the whole picture can help spark better ideas and solutions to these problems.

Genetics

The study of inherited characteristics

Emic

My - Viewing a culture from an insider’s point of view

Etic

Their - Viewing a culture from an outsider’s point of view

Artifact

An object made or used by human beings

Absolute dating

Measures the object’s time difference from the present through the carbon 14 method by analyzing the carbon release

Relative dating

Relation - Dating that measures the age differences among deposits:the comparison of one site to another (older/younger)

Paleoanthropology

Study of fossils and their environment as they relate to human evolution

Cultural Universals

Elements, patterns, traits, or institutions that are common to all human cultures worldwide (gender roles, the incest taboo, religious and healing ritual, pair bonding, language, art, dance, music, cooking, games, jokes, sports, birth and death - rituals)

Social Biology

Human behavior is genetically determined (hygiene, modesty, humor)

Elements of Every Culture (10):

Geography, Language, Family, FCTS (food, clothing, transport, shelter), Economics, Education, Politics, Technology, VBR (values, beliefs, rituals), and Cultural Expression (norms)

Race

A geographically isolated subdivision of species. A social construct and is not biologically distinct.

Ethnicity

Shared cultural characteristics of a group (national origin, language, traditions, customs, religious beliefs/practices & racial category)

Observation

Objective: fact based, no opinion, directly observed

Inference

Subjective: your opinion

Cultural Integration

Joining of various values into a whole; change in one culture is usually linked to changes in others

Culture Clash

Offend others when you violate their norms

Anthropos

humans/man

Logos

Study of

What anthropology specifically can answer?

How we originated, how we have changed and are still changing, how and why societies varied in their customary ideas and practices, and how and why human populations vary in physical features.

How long has Anthropology been around?

Has been a separate discipline for approx 120 years

What is Anthropology used for and what is its purpose?

Understand what conditions produce problems, humanity, human adaptation, physical differences among people of the world, and what causes the changes in environment

Anthropology Roots

Before: Associated with museums and universities, studied exotic people living in small-scale, far-off places

Now: Large-scale modern societies, eg., the USA, and rather than looking for conflict or differences among humans, Anthropology now seeks to find similarities among humans as a species

Function of Archaeology

To bridge the past and the present (past reflects the present)

Goals of Archaeology

To recreate the past (physical description, classification of recovered evidence, placement in time and space, reconstruction of ancient customs, beliefs, and behaviors)

How do we complete the goals of Archaeology?

Understand observation and inference (observation is objective - fact & inference is subjective - opinion)

Archaeology

Studies the social and cultural past through: fossils and material remains/artifacts

(buildings, tools, and other artifacts that include any material item that has had cultural meaning ascribed to it)

Scientific Method

A systematic way to prove theories (set of procedures for gaining & testing our knowledge of the real world)