Understanding Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering the core concepts from the notes on anthropology, sociology, and political science.

In anthropology, what are the central questions about humanity?

What does it mean to be human? Who are you? Where do you come from?

In sociology, what is the primary focus of study?

How do we study society? What influences life? How do people in different cultures live?

How did anthropology originate?

Started as a science during European exploration/colonization; outward study of non-European peoples; focus on kinship, language, race, religion, and cultural perceptions.

How did sociology originate?

Emerged during the Industrial Revolution; study of European society by Europeans (inward).

Who is considered the father of modern American anthropology?

Franz Boas, whose work led to historical particularism.

Who coined the term sociology?

Auguste Comte.

What is a key methodological difference between anthropology and sociology?

Anthropology uses ethnography; sociology uses qualitative research methods and studies society.

Name the subfields of anthropology.

Biological anthropology, Cultural anthropology, Linguistics, Archaeology, Applied anthropology.

What does Biological anthropology study?

Human origins: genetics, race, evolution, fossils, primates.

What does Cultural anthropology study?

Living people, cultures, customs, beliefs, social systems, language, clothing, foods, traditions.

What does Linguistic anthropology study?

Language, its evolution, and its connection to culture and identity.

What does Archaeology study?

Past cultures through material remains like pots, tools, bones; understanding ancient civilizations.

What is Applied anthropology?

Uses knowledge from any branch to solve real-world problems (e.g., culturally sensitive health programs).

What subjects and fields does sociology cover?

Subjects: family background, socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, beliefs, norms. Fields: social organization, social psychology, applied sociology, human ecology.

How is culture defined in the classic sense by Tylor?

Culture is the complex whole of knowledge, beliefs, art, law, morals, customs acquired by humans as members of society.

What are the seven core characteristics of culture listed in the notes?

Culture is Everything; Culture is Shared; Culture is Learned; Culture affects Biology; Culture is Adaptive; Culture is Maladaptive; Culture Changes.

What is Material culture vs Non-material culture?

Material culture includes tangible things (clothes, food, buildings); Non-material culture includes values, norms, laws, sanctions, knowledge.

What does it mean that culture is shared?

Beliefs and practices are shared among members of a group; not just one person.

What does it mean that culture is learned?

Culture is learned through family, school, church, and other social institutions.

How does culture affect biology?

People adapt their bodies to cultural norms (e.g., beauty standards) and biological expectations.

What does cultural adaptation mean?

Culture helps humans survive by adapting to environmental pressures.

What does cultural maladaptation mean?

Cultural practices that hinder adaptation to environmental changes.

Why is culture considered dynamic?

Culture is never static; it changes with needs and environments.

What are the Greek roots of Sociology?

Socius (group/partners) + logos (study).

Name the three major sociological perspectives on culture.

Symbolic Interactionist Theory, Structural-Functional Theory, Social Conflict Theory.

What is the basic idea of Symbolic Interactionist Theory?

People attach meanings to symbols and act according to their interpretations; interaction is essential.

What is the basic idea of Structural-Functional Theory?

Society is a complex system; interrelated parts work together; social consensus maintains stability.

What is the basic idea of Social Conflict Theory?

Society as a competition for limited resources; macro-level analysis; associated with Karl Marx.

What is Political Science?

Branch of social science studying government activities, power, and the distribution of resources; politics from Greek politika.

What are the main approaches in political science?

Traditional/Historical; Scientific/Behavioralist; Systems/Structural-Functional/General Systems Theory; Political Economy.

What is explored in the Traditional/Historical approach in political science?

Uses history to study the chronology and development of government structures and institutions.

What is the focus of the Scientific/Behavioralist approach?

Examines processes within political structures to understand how they affect the functioning of institutions.

What does the Systems/Structural-Functional approach emphasize?

The importance of different government structures and their functions to maintain system stability; emphasis on consensus.

What is the Political Economy approach?

Examines the link between politics and economy; how decisions about resources affect payoffs.

What is the cross-cultural/comparative perspective in anthropology?

Comparing how social institutions (e.g., marriage) are practiced across cultures to reveal differences and commonalities.

What are the four main anthropological perspectives listed?

Cross-cultural/comparative, Evolutionary/historical, Ecological, Holistic.

Give examples of cross-cultural marriage practices mentioned.

Philippines: religious ceremonies and large gatherings; India: arranged marriages with family involvement; Nuer of Sudan: some women marry other women for social/economic reasons.

What is ecological emphasis in anthropology?

Focus on the interrelationship between individuals and their environments and how the environment influences culture (e.g., Ifugao rice terraces).

What is holistic emphasis in anthropology?

Treats culture as an interconnected whole; considers beliefs, language, social roles, environment, history.

What is an example of holistic anthropology in healing practices?

Studying Lumad healing practices by looking at beliefs, healers, language, chants, social relations, history, and environment.

Who first defined culture and what phrase did they popularize?

Edward Tylor; culture as the 'complex whole'.

What is a key early definition of culture by Edward Tylor?

The complex whole including knowledge, beliefs, art, laws, morals, customs, and habits.

What does the term 'politika' signify?

Greek origin meaning the affairs of the cities; basis for the term Politics.