Social and Cultural anthropology - Unit 2

Endogamy

The marriage of people inside the group (helps to keep wealth inside families and strengthens bonds between members).

Exogamy

Marrying outside of the group (helps to expand alliances).

Hypergamy

Marrying into a higher class/status (marrying “up”).

Hypogamy

Marrying into a lower class/status (marrying “down”).

Reciprocity

An exchange system that entails the direct exchange of goods and services.

Redistribution

Flow of goods and services to central authority, and then returned in a different form (ex. communism).

Market economy

Buying and selling through a price mechanism.

Gift economy

Exchange of gifts with meaning, tradition, and politics behind the exchange.

Sahlin’s Social Distance Theory

The theory that the type of exchange between individuals is directly related to to their social distance (the closer you are, the more generous and less calculating the exchange will be).

Generalized reciprocity

A norm of generosity without an expectation of a direct return. Close family members engage in this type of reciprocity. The items exchanged need not be similar.

Balanced reciprocity

A direct, less personal exchange with precise reckoning. There is more likely to be a similarity in type and value of objects and defined expectations about giving and receiving.

Negative reciprocity

The unsociable extreme that embraces theft, barter, and gambling. It is impersonal and involves opposed interests.

Influence

The ability to convince people to do what you suggest.

Authority

Formalized right or position to command another as you want.

Influence

The ability to convince people to do what you suggest.

Power

A person's or group's capacity to influence, manipulate or control others and resources.

State

Continuously operating compulsory political organization that secures the sovereignty of a territory, governs its population, and claims a monopoly on the legitimate force to enact its laws

Nation

The people, not institutions, formed through shared needs and culture.

Social control

How a government maintains conformity amongst citizens (Starts with behaviors and norms and extends eventually to laws).