Introduction to Anthropology – Key Vocabulary

30 vocabulary flashcards covering foundational terms, subfields, methods and key concepts introduced in the lecture on anthropology.

Anthropology

The holistic, scientific and humanistic study of humanity, examining biological, cultural and linguistic variation across time and space.

Four Sub-disciplines of Anthropology

Biological (or physical) anthropology, archaeology, cultural (or socio-cultural) anthropology and linguistic anthropology.

Biological Anthropology

Subfield that investigates human evolution, genetics, health and biological diversity (e.g., forensic or medical anthropology).

Archaeology

Study of past human cultures through material remains such as artifacts, bones and architecture; can include underwater archaeology.

Cultural (Socio-cultural) Anthropology

Explores contemporary societies and cultures, often through participant observation and ethnography.

Linguistic Anthropology

Examines language in its social and cultural contexts, including how words shape worldview and identity.

Applied Anthropology

Use of anthropological knowledge to solve real-world problems in public health, development, business, etc.

Holistic

An all-encompassing approach that integrates biology, culture and environment to understand humans as a whole.

Biocultural

Perspective emphasizing the interplay of biology and culture in shaping human life (e.g., nutrition, healing).

Scientific Method

Systematic process of observation, hypothesis formation, testing and analysis used in social and natural sciences.

Social Sciences

Academic division—including anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics and often history—using scientific methods to study society.

Humanities

Academic division focused on text-based scholarship such as philosophy, religion, literature and sometimes history.

Natural Sciences

Academic division that studies the natural world through empirical observation (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).

Participant Observation

Primary field method in cultural anthropology involving long-term immersion and participation in a community’s daily life.

Ethnography

A detailed, written account of a particular culture or social phenomenon, usually based on participant observation.

Ethnoarchaeology

Archaeological approach that studies living communities to inform interpretations of past human behavior.

Biocultural Anthropologist

Researcher who analyzes how cultural practices and biological factors jointly affect human health and variation.

Mammal

Warm-blooded vertebrate that bears live young and produces milk via mammary glands.

Lactose

The sugar found in mammalian milk.

Lactase

Enzyme produced in the small intestine that digests lactose.

Lactase Persistence

Continued production of lactase—and thus ability to digest milk—into adulthood; genetically common in populations with long histories of dairying.

Lactase Impersistence

Natural decline of lactase after weaning, leading to lactose maldigestion; the worldwide human norm.

Pathologize

To portray a natural condition or behavior as diseased, abnormal or inferior.

USDA Dual Mandate

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s simultaneous goals to promote American agribusiness and issue public nutrition guidelines.

MyPlate (formerly Food Pyramid)

USDA dietary guide that designates a separate dairy category and recommends 2–3 daily servings of milk products.

SNAP

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—federal aid providing funds to purchase food, historically restricted to certain items such as dairy.

WIC

Women, Infants, and Children program supplying nutritional support; until 2016 largely excluded non-dairy calcium alternatives.

Peer Review

Process in which anonymous experts evaluate scholarly work for quality, ethics and rigor before publication.

Ruth Benedict’s Maxim

Anthropologist Ruth Benedict stated that the purpose of anthropology is “to make the world safe for human difference.”

Alfred Kroeber’s Description

Called anthropology “the most humanistic of the sciences and the most scientific of the humanities,” highlighting its cross-disciplinary position.