Anthropology Flashcards

Flashcards for Anthropology Lecture Review

What is culture?

The shared beliefs, values, behaviors, and traditions of a group of people. It includes language, customs, food, religion, music, and social habits.

What is Anthropology?

The study of humans, past and present.

What is Sociology?

The study of society and social behavior.

What is Psychology?

The study of the human mind and behavior.

What questions does each social science ask?

Anthropology: What makes us human? How have we evolved? Sociology: How do societies work? What causes inequality? Psychology: Why do people think, feel, and act the way they do?

Give an example of cultural anthropology:

Studying marriage customs in different cultures.

Give an Example of physical anthropology:

Studying human bones or evolution (e.g., fossils).

What methods do anthropologists use to collect their research?

Identify the problem, Develop a hypothesis, Collect data (e.g., interviews, observations, fieldwork), Analyze the data, Draw conclusions, Share the results

What is a school of thought?

A way of thinking or a group of theories in a discipline that share a common idea or perspective.

What is Functionalism in Anthropology?

Every part of a culture exists for a reason—it helps the society run smoothly.

What is Structuralism in Anthropology?

All humans think in similar ways using opposites (like good/bad or male/female). Cultures are built on these mental patterns.

What is Cultural Materialism in Anthropology?

A culture is shaped by its physical needs—like food, environment, and tools.

What is Feminist Anthropology?

Studies how culture treats different genders. It focuses on women’s roles, rights, and voices.

What is Postmodernism in Anthropology?

No one can study a culture without bringing their own opinions and bias. It believes there’s no single truth, and all voices should be heard in research.

List the steps involved in collecting research:

Identify a question or problem, Form a hypothesis, Choose a method, Gather data, Analyze data, Report findings

Who is Charles Darwin and what was his theory?

Proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection—organisms change over time to adapt to their environment.

Describe natural selection:

The process where organisms with traits better suited to their environment survive and reproduce, passing on those traits.

Who are Ardi and Lucy and why are they significant to the field of anthropology?

Lucy: A 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil (Australopithecus afarensis) found in Ethiopia—she walked upright (bipedal). Ardi: A 4.4-million-year-old fossil (Ardipithecus ramidus)—older than Lucy and shows early signs of walking upright. Significance: They help us understand human evolution and bipedalism.

What does it mean to be bipedal?

Walking on two legs. It is a key trait that separates humans from most other primates.

Describe the 4 principles of human variation/natural selection:

Variation exists among individuals. Some traits offer advantages in survival and reproduction. Advantageous traits are passed on to offspring. Over time, populations evolve to adapt to environments.

Explain Bergmann’s rule:

People in colder climates have larger bodies (to conserve heat), and people in hotter climates have smaller bodies (to release heat).

Explain Allen’s Rule:

People in cold climates have shorter limbs (to reduce heat loss), while people in hot climates have longer limbs (to increase heat loss).