Comprehensive Exam Review: Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology

Anthropology

Study of human origin and development.

Physical Anthropology

Examines ancient remains and human physical traits.

Archaeology

Study of physical artifacts and ancient cultures.

Chronology

Sequence of historical events over time.

Spatial Understanding

Geographical context of historical events.

Primatology

Study of primates and their behaviors.

Human Traits

Complex language, large brain, and upright posture.

Chimpanzee Traits

Large canines, opposable toes, and strong muscles.

Shared Traits

Affection, tool use, and group living.

Primate Origins

Began approximately 60-65 million years ago.

Basic Primate Traits

Varied sizes, large eyes, and mixed teeth.

Brachiation

Swinging locomotion seen in gibbons.

Clinging & Leaping

Locomotion method used by lemurs.

Arboreal Quadrupedalism

Tree-dwelling locomotion of spider monkeys.

Terrestrial Quadrupedalism

Ground locomotion seen in gorillas.

Bipedalism

Walking on two legs, characteristic of humans.

Tooth Patterns

Arrangement of teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, molars.

Old World Monkeys

Narrow nostrils, live in trees and ground.

New World Monkeys

Wide nostrils, prehensile tails, fully arboreal.

Apes

Evolved 30 million years ago, no tails.

Ape Traits

Large body size and simple molars.

Biped Traits

Long legs and S-shaped spine for balance.

Primate Social Groups

Structures that define primate social interactions.

Frans de Waal

Author of 'Chimpanzee Politics' on primate behavior.

Types of Social Groups

Categories of primate social structures.

Harem

Polygynous group of one male and females.

Silverback

Dominant male in gorilla harems.

Primates

Group of mammals including humans and monkeys.

Species Count

Approximately 233 to 290 primate species.

Habitats

Primates mainly inhabit tropical regions.

Artifacts

Human-made items like tools and pottery.

Features

Non-movable archaeological evidence, e.g., post holes.

Sites

Clusters of artifacts and features in locations.

Stratigraphy

Science of layered soil and rock analysis.

Uniformitarianism

Past geological processes mirror present ones.

Superposition

Older geological layers lie deeper than newer ones.

Stratigraphic Sequence

Complete stack of soil and rock layers.

Relative Dating

Determining age by comparing layer depth.

Three-Age System

Chronological framework: Stone, Bronze, Iron Ages.

Radiocarbon Dating

Method for dating organic materials up to 50,000 years.

K-Ar Dating

Dating volcanic rock, effective from 100,000 years.

Limitations of Radiocarbon Dating

Includes margin of error, typically ±650 years.

Australopithecines

Early hominids, bipedal, lived 1-4 million years ago.

Homo habilis

Early human species, used tools, lived 2 million years ago.

Homo erectus

First to migrate widely, used fire, lived 1.8 million years ago.

Homo sapiens sapiens

Modern humans, first fossils found ~150,000 years ago.

Neanderthals

Ancient humans with larger brains, lived 300,000-30,000 years ago.

Human Migration

Movement driven by resource exploration and social factors.

Dunbar's Theory

Language evolved to enhance social bonding in groups.

Donald's Model

Cultural evolution stages from pre-human to modern cognition.

General Intelligence

Practical thinking in early hominins, unspecialized.

Domain-Specific Intelligence

Separate cognitive modules in Homo erectus, no information sharing.

Cognitive Fluidity

Interaction of modules in Homo sapiens, enabling creativity.

Cultural Anthropology

Study of origins and cultures of different peoples.

Cultural Similarities

Insights into humanity through worldwide cultural commonalities.

Cultural Differences

Illustrates diverse survival strategies across human cultures.

Common-Sense Ideas Correction

Challenges cultural biases about superiority of one's culture.

Linguistic Anthropology

Study of language history, structure, and usage.

Historical Linguistics

Focus on language evolution over time.

Structural Linguistics

Analysis of language structure and grammar.

Sociolinguistics

Study of language in its social context.

Sociology

Study of human relationships and social behavior.

Macrosociology

Analysis of large-scale social systems and populations.

Microsociology

Focus on individual or small group interactions.

Socialization

Process of learning culture and societal behavior.

Norms

Accepted behavioral expectations within a society.

Culture

Ideas, norms, and values varying across societies.

Social Structure

Fundamental organization of society into institutions.

Status

Position within the social structure affecting interactions.

Mainstream Culture

Common ideas, products, and practices shared broadly.

Subculture

Distinct cultural group differing from mainstream norms.

Microcultures

Small groups sharing minute differences within a culture.

Primary Socialization

Learning basic survival skills in society.

Secondary Socialization

Learning behavior in group situations.

Anticipatory Socialization

Planning behavior for new situations.

Resocialization

Transforming negative behavior into acceptable behavior.

Agents of Socialization

Entities that influence social behavior.

Family

Primary agent shaping behavior throughout life.

School

Secondary agent teaching social norms and knowledge.

Peer Groups

Influential social groups of similar age.

Workplace

Professional environment influencing social behavior.

Media

Mass communication shaping societal norms and values.

Religion

Belief system influencing moral and social behavior.

Defining Family

Group bonded by consent, birth, or adoption.

Extended Family

Multiple generations living in one household.

Nuclear Family

Parents and their dependent children.

Lone-Parent Family

One parent with dependent children.

Same Sex Family

Two individuals of same gender with children.

Blended Family

Divorced partners with children from previous unions.

Interracial Family

Parents from different racial backgrounds with children.

Social Stratification

Hierarchical layers in society based on attributes.

Social Strata

Layers of material wealth, power, and prestige.

Achieved Stratification

Stratification based on personal attributes and choices.

Ascribed Status

Attributes assigned at birth affecting social stratification.

Behaviourism

Focus on environmental influences on behavior.

Psychoanalysis

Childhood experiences shape unconscious behavior.

Humanism

Emphasizes inherent goodness and self-determination.

Cognitive Psychology

Studies mental processing: attention, reasoning, memory.

Biological Psychology

Examines behavior through genetics and evolution.

Experimental Psychology

Research and teaching across various psychological topics.