Anthropology Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts in Anthropology.

Anthropology

A social science that explains the origins, physical and cultural development of humankind.

Myths (in Anthropology)

Stories that explain the origin of the world, recount important events and powers, provide cultural insights, and share values.

Anthropology vs. Sociology (Focus)

Anthropology focuses on non-industrialized people, while sociology focuses on Western nations.

Anthropology vs. Sociology (Method)

Anthropologists use observation, while sociologists use statistics.

Physical Anthropology

Focuses on human biology and evolution; studies bones, fossils, genetics, and human adaptation.

Cultural Anthropology

Focuses on human cultures and societies; studies traditions, beliefs, customs, and social behavior.

Biological Anthropology

Another name for Physical Anthropology.

Social/Cultural Anthropology

Another name for Cultural Anthropology.

Primatology

Study of non-human primates including their behavior, biology, evolution, and taxonomy.

Paleoanthropology

The study of prehistoric human fossils, focusing on human evolution and disease patterns.

Hominization

The process of evolution from primates to humans.

Stone Age (Early)

Period when basic stone implements like hammer stones and sharp flakes were made by early humans.

Stone Age (Middle)

Period when shafts and spears were made and tied together, and tools were used to remove hides.

Stone Age (Late)

Period with more inventions, experimentation with bone, increased craftsmanship, and development of cultural identities.

Darwin's Theory of Evolution

The theory of how species change over time.

Australopithecus

Earliest hominin.

Homo Habilis

‘The Handy One’, used sharper rocks and simple tools.

Homo Erectus

First to use fire; good hunters and better tool makers.

Homo Neanderthalensis

Complex tools, carved antler, polished tools; brain size increase. Had language forming with hyoid bone.

Homo Sapiens

Start of modern humans, distinguished by speech, language, and dependence on domesticated foods.

Hyoid Bone

A horseshoe-shaped structure in the neck that supports the tongue and suggests the ability to speak (present in Neanderthals).

Cro-Magnon

People who lived on Earth at the end of the last ice age (40,000-10,000 ya), populated central Europe and central Asia, lived alongside Neanderthals.

Lucy

Early Australopithecus, member of hominin family, walked upright, wisdom teeth and brain was the size of a modern chimp.

Mesopotamia

Location of modern day Iraq, Kuwait and Systria, considered the birthplace of civilization (means 'between two rivers').

Civilization

Advanced stage of social development.

Subsistence Farming

Growing crops for family.

Agricultural Farming

Growing crops for sale.

Pastoral Farming

Livestock farming.

Nomadic Farming

Moving with animals.

Forensics (in Anthropology)

Application of physical anthropology methods and knowledge to human remains in crime investigations.

Kinship

An example of how cultures vary around the world. Relationships, responsibilities, roles and connections.

Egalitarian Society

A society in which all people are equal.

Participant Observation

Research method developed by Malinowski which involves living with, watching, and note-taking to study cultures.

Ethnology

Studies the origins and cultures of peoples: marriage, customs, kinship, politics, economics, tech, religion, art and music.

Artifacts

Snapshot of our life and they are all man made.

Ethnocentric Views/Bias

Judging something cultural within the views of your own culture.

Egocentric Views

Judging something yet from within the views of your own mind and preferences and not those of a society, centered on self.

Cultural Relativism

Idea that persons beliefs and behaviours should be understood through their own cultural context not judged by the standards of another culture.

Acculturation

The process by which people acquire the norms, values, and behaviors of another culture.

Cultural Appropriation

Turning culture things into western trends, using elements of another culture without understanding the significance, dominant culture.