Challenge and Change

Cultural Anthropology

The branch of anthropology that studies variations of knowledge, morals, laws, religious beliefs, customs, and habits in different societies.

Physical/Biological Anthropology

The most scientific subdivision of anthropology focusing on human biological diversity and evolution.

Linguistic Anthropology

Investigates how language shapes culture and affects communication, identity, and socialization.

Pidgin

A simplified language that develops as a means of communication between groups that do not have a language in common.

Creole

A stable, natural language developed from the mixing of parent languages, nativized by children as their primary language.

Archaeology

The study of human history through artifacts and material remains, providing insights into past cultures.

Functionalism

A school of thought in anthropology aiming to understand the function of cultural practices rather than their origins.

Structuralism

A school of thought focusing on uncovering the underlying structures and rules that differentiate cultures.

Cultural Materialism

A theory proposing that cultural practices are shaped by material conditions such as economy and environment.

Ethics in Research

A system of beliefs that defines standards of right and wrong, guiding the conduct of research involving human subjects.

Survey

A set of questions designed by social scientists to generate specific information from a targeted group.

Participant Observation

A qualitative research method where researchers immerse themselves in a culture to observe behaviors and interactions.

Qualitative Research

Research that gathers non-measurable data, focusing on subjective experiences and insights.

Quantitative Research

Research that focuses on gathering numerical data that can be calculated and analyzed.

Psychoanalysis

A psychological school of thought developed by Sigmund Freud focusing on the unconscious mind and repressed desires.

Behaviourism

A psychological perspective emphasizing observable behavior and the learning processes involved.

Cognitive Psychology

The study of how people think, perceive, remember, and learn.

Cultural Materialism

A belief that the physical and material world shapes and defines human culture.

Marxism

A theory that interprets historical and societal changes as a result of economic influences and class struggles.

Symbolic Interactionism

A theory that emphasizes the role of symbols and interactions in the development of individual identities.

Feminist Theory

A psychological framework that examines social structures and discrimination based on sex and gender.

Looking Glass Self

A concept by Charles Horton Cooley suggesting that self-identity is shaped by how others perceive us.