Anthropology Exam 1; Chapter 2

Science

the method of inquiry that requires the generation, testing, and acceptance of rejection or hypothesis.

Scientific Method

Method of inquiry through hypothesis; 1. observation, 2. generate a hypothesis, objective detachment 3. devise a test (experimental; define all variables; must be replicable) 4. Do experiment. 5. Analyze findings (Must be falsifiable) 6. Publish, 7. Test Again. (NEVER assume you have the final word)

Hypothesis

Proposed explanations for phenomena

Objective Detachment

Must not interfere; Anthropologists use both the objective and subjective self to understand cultures through listening to and questioning our assumptions, views, and interpretations.

Systematic Survey

The technique of detailed examination of an area for the purpose of recording the location and significance of archaeological resources. Answers questions pertaining to the site's location, the size of the settlement, their types of buildings, and the age of the site. The surveyor tries to date the site to see when it was occupied.

Site

An area of ground on which a town, building, or monument is constructed (where the anthropological findings are)

Excavation

the exposure, processing and recording of archaeological remains. (Can take months, or even years)

Stratigraphy

a branch of geology which studies rock layers and layering

Relative Dating

the science determining the relative order of past events, without necessarily determining their absolute age. Relative dating can only determine the sequential order in which a series of events occurred, not when they occur. (Use layers of dirt, and fossils)

Absolute Dating

the process of determining an approximate computed age. Based on the physical or chemical properties of the materials of artifacts, buildings, or other items that have been modified by humans.

Fossil

The preserved remains or traces of animals (also known as zoolites), plants, and other organisms from the remote past.

Artifact

an object recovered by some archaeological endeavor, which may have a cultural interest.

Ethnography

Systematic research/recording of a groups way of life.

Participant observation

A method of data collection; its aim is to gain a close and intimate familiarity with a given group of individuals (such as a religious, occupational, sub cultural group, or a particular community) and their practices through an intensive involvement with people in their cultural environment, usually over an extended period of time.

role

a set of connected behaviours, rights, obligations, beliefs, and norms in any social situation. It is vital to both functionalist and interactionist understandings of society.

Key informant

a few individuals selected on the basis of criteria such as knowledge, compatibility, age, experience, or reputation who provide information about their culture.

Genealogies

a family tree or web of kinship relationships traced through parents and children. Also called a kindred.

emic

views of the world that members of a culture accept as real, meaningful, or appropriate.

etic

views of a culture that are accepted by a group of scientists as a valid description for the culture.

How are scientific theories developed?

a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of knowledge that has been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. Scientists create scientific theories from hypotheses that have been corroborated through the scientific method, then gather evidence to test their accuracy.

What is the general sequence of steps in the scientific method?

1. Observation 2. Generate a hypothesis 3. devise a test 4. preform test 5. analyze findings 6. publish 7. test again

Why must a good hypothesis have a condition under which it should be shown false, but NOT one under which it can be shown true?

Never assume you have the final word; flying spaghetti monster. You can not prove anything totally and completely false, always need to be open to new information and data.

What can and can't be studied via the scientific method?

The application of the scientific method is limited to independently observable, measurable events that can be reproduced. Irreproducible results, Mental conceptual experiences, and so-called miracles are beyond the scientific method.

What field techniques do physical anthropology and archeology have in common?

Systematic survey (Study maps), site, excavation, stratigraphy, relative dating, absolute dating

How do physical anthropology and archeology differ?

Physical Anthropology: Fossils.
Archeology: Artifacts

Why does an ethnographer seek out a low-status, childlike role in society?

It is their job to live among and observe a given culture so they take a low role in society to be able to observe all aspects of the culture and learn everything they can, much like a child does.

How does an ethnographer value an emic versus an etic perspective?

Value the emic perspective because they can understand the culture from the peoples point of view. Value the etic perspective because that is their scientists view of the culture, the uninvolved, non emotional, facts of the culture.

What are some of the basic tenets of the AAA code to ethics?

1. Primary ethical obligation to the people
2. Do not harm
3. must be open about research (if anyone asks you must be completely honest)
4. informed consent
5. never deceive or exploit
6. Can choose advocacy
7. Give something back.