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Anthropology

The holistic study of humanity, integrating cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological perspectives.

Culture

Shared patterns of behavior, beliefs, and symbols that shape a group's way of life.

Comparison

Analyzing similarities and differences across societies to uncover universal and particular aspects of humanity.

Holistic approach

Viewing human phenomena as interconnected, drawing on the four sub-fields of anthropology.

Ethnography

A portrait of a people or community produced through long-term, immersive fieldwork; both the method and the written account.

Method in Ethnography

Participant observation, informal interviews, and sustained interaction in a natural setting.

Product in Ethnography

A detailed, contextualized description of cultural practices, beliefs, and social relations.

Natural setting

Captures behavior as it unfolds in everyday life.

Ethical flexibility

Allows study of phenomena that would be unethical to manipulate experimentally.

Rich, qualitative data

Narratives, gestures, and material culture that numbers alone can’t convey.

Participant observation

Researcher lives among participants, sharing daily routines while taking systematic notes.

Imponderabilia

The subtle, often overlooked details of everyday life that give meaning to cultural practices.

Kula Ring

A non-market exchange system native to the Trobriand Islands, characterized by the circulation of Soulava and Mwali.

Soulava

Necklaces in the Kula exchange that travel clockwise.

Mwali

Armbands in the Kula exchange that travel counter-clockwise.

Malinowski's view on Kula motivation

Prestige for individuals undertaking hazardous voyages; strengthening of inter-island alliances.

Father of modern ethnography

Bronislaw Malinowski, who pioneered immersive, long-term fieldwork.

Imponderabilia of actual life

Concept introduced by Malinowski, referring to the unnoticed details giving cultural meaning.

Non-market economy

An exchange system where goods and services circulate through reciprocity without standardized prices.

Malinowski's private diary

Document revealing personal bias against the Trobriand people.

Feminist anthropology

Corrective perspective emphasizing women's roles in exchanges previously overlooked.

Ethical lab examples

Infant monkey separation experiments; Stanford Prison Experiment.

Field ethics

Informed consent, minimizing harm, reflexivity, and ongoing dialogue with participants.

Informed consent

Process ensuring participants agree to partake in a study with full awareness of its purpose and risks.

Participant observation methods

Include living among subjects, noting daily routines, and systematic engagement in their lives.

Genealogical method

Mapping kinship ties to understand social organization.

Life history interviews

Qualitative method capturing an individual's life narratives and changes over generations.

Longitudinal research

Repeated visits over time to build trust and track change.

Multi-sited research

Studying a phenomenon across several locations to understand its variations.

Team research

Collaborating with assistants rather than conducting research alone.

Applied anthropology

Applies anthropological methods to solve practical problems and inform public policy.

Jason DeLeon case study

Combining archaeology, ethnography, and public scholarship to influence policy regarding undocumented migration.

Ethical checklist

Includes clear explanation of the study, opportunity to ask questions, and the option to withdraw.

Cultural consultant

A specialist who advises researchers on cultural nuances.

Interlocutor

Any dialogue partner treated as a colleague or teacher in the research process.

Informant

A person providing insider knowledge about their culture.

Gendered economic roles

Different economic responsibilities and activities assigned based on gender within a culture.

Trovians society

In the 1970s, women managed a non-market exchange of crucial items for funeral practices.

Mortuary practices

Cultural rituals and items involved in honoring and remembering the deceased.

Reflexivity

Acknowledging the researcher’s influence and biases during the study.

Participant voice

Including the perspectives and experiences of those studied in research narratives.

Participant observation balance

Balancing involvement in community life with systematic documentation.

Ethnographic methods

Utilized to address social, cultural, and political issues within communities.

Presentation roulette

Group activity that involves identifying individuals and their fieldwork methods as outlined in the chapters.

Structured interviews

Combine predetermined questions with flexibility in responses to enhance comparability.

Open-ended questions

Encourages respondents to elaborate in their own words, fostering deeper insights.

Order surveys

Use fixed response options for easier quantitative analysis.

Research question definition

Identifying the cultural phenomenon being investigated.

Field site selection

Choosing a natural setting where the cultural phenomenon occurs.

Documentation of imponderabilia

Recording gestures, routines, and material details that reveal cultural meanings.

Key traits of valuable informants

Willingness to share, reflective ability, and differing perspectives.

Participants' community consent

Essential for establishing the legitimacy of a researcher’s authority.

Critical re-evaluation

Reassessing previous findings to include overlooked aspects and broaden perceptions.

Power dynamics

Explains how leadership must balance generosity and belligerency within the Ashaninka tribe.

Consent's importance

Authority must be earned, reflecting communal values rather than imposed.

Kinship system types

Types categorized as patrilineal and matrilineal based on familial lineage and inheritance.

Cultural pressures

Societal expectations influencing individual behaviors and practices.

Rich qualitative data

Data comprising detailed narratives and social contexts rather than numerical data.

Natural setting observation

Focus on capturing spontaneous behaviors in everyday surroundings.

Ethical dilemmas

Situations where ethical considerations challenge research methodologies.

Team research benefits

Enhanced depth of insight, reduced bias, and shared expertise.

Community-based language programs

Initiatives that leverage social media and peer networks to revitalize languages.

Anthropologist's positionality

The researcher's background and perspective shape the research process.

Sensitization to bias

Awareness of one's perspectives influencing observational data.

Cross-checking observations

Working in teams to validate ethnographic findings.

Complex exchanges

Understanding multi-faceted trade systems within cultures goes beyond simple barter.

Cultural narratives

Stories or accounts that define and explain the beliefs and practices of a community.

Fieldwork methodology

Systematic approaches for engaging a community and recording observations.

Social justice issues

Topics that explore equity and rights within anthropological inquiry.

Community feedback mechanisms

Structures for participants to provide input on research processes.

Risk assessment

Evaluating potential ethical concerns associated with research methodologies.

Participant anonymity

Ensuring that the identities of research subjects are protected.

Ethnographic research objectives

Clarifying the goals and inquiries that guide fieldwork.

Cultural immersion

Deep engagement with a community to gather comprehensive ethnographic insights.

Contributions of women in anthropology

Recognition of female anthropologists' roles in shaping research narratives.

Narrative analysis

Examining stories for deeper cultural understanding and insights.

Observational techniques

Methods applied by anthropologists to document community practices.

Ethnographic writing

Articulating detailed accounts of cultural observations and participant voices.

Historical context in ethnography

Understanding how past events shape current cultural practices.

Bodley's research methods

Incorporated ethnographic, genealogical, participant observation, interviews, and cartographic mapping.

Cultural sensitivity

The awareness and understanding of cultural differences when conducting research.

Emerging trends in anthropology

Current shifts in focus and priorities reflected in anthropological research.

Ethical considerations in data management

Ensuring responsible handling of qualitative and quantitative research data.

Disciplinary boundaries in anthropology

Navigating the intersections of various fields within anthropological research.

Cultural replication

The process of examining how cultural practices are reproduced in different contexts.

Research transparency

Openness about research methods, findings, and implications in anthropology.

Collaboration with community stakeholders

Engagement with local voices in the research process to enhance accuracy.

Fieldwork effectiveness

Strategies aimed at maximizing impact and relevance of research initiatives.

Cultural representation in media

Understanding how anthropological findings are communicated to broader audiences.

Human rights issues in anthropology

Exploring and advocating for marginalized and underrepresented voices.

Methodological pluralism in anthropology

Combining various methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of cultures.

Political ecology

Examining the relationships between political, economic, and social factors in environmental issues.

Public engagement in anthropology

Encouraging community involvement and awareness through anthropological work.

Visiting indigenous communities

Field access to better understand their challenges and perspectives.

Educational outreach in anthropology

Methods by which anthropologists share knowledge with broader audiences.

Reciprocal relationships in research

Establishing mutually beneficial connections between researchers and participants.