Anthropology Terms

Ethnocentrism

The belief that the ways of your culture are the only proper ones. Consciously or unconsciously viewing the world from the perspective of your culture.

Cultural Relativism

The idea that we should suspend judgment of other people's practices until we can understand them in their own cultural context.

Cultural Shock

Anxiety and disorientation that occurs when you interact with a culture very different than your own.

Participant Observation

Qualitative research method in which the researcher immerses themselves in the daily life and activities of the group or community they are studying. Through this involvement, they aim to gain a deeper understanding of the subject's perspectives, behaviors, and social dynamics.

Emic View

Insider view - how someone within a culture perceives customs, beliefs, values. Use of "local categories"

Etic View

Viewing beliefs, traditions, behaviors from the outside AS ANTHROPOLOGISTS or scientists would do. Using analytical categories that represent cross-culturally applicable terms and categories.

Enculturation

The natural, lifelong process by which an individual learns and internalizes the values, beliefs, language, and norms of their own native culture.

Acculturation

The process where individuals or groups adopt the cultural traits, values, or language of another culture while still keeping elements of their own original culture.

Ethnography

A story about an ethnic group. What anthropologists write after their participant observation.

Ritual (ritos) (NOT ACTUAL TERM)

Formalized event, the rules of which are determined by the traditions of a social group, characterized by symbolism and performance.

Rite of Passage

A ceremony marking the passing of a person from one status to another. The three stages include: Separation, Liminality, and incorporation.

Liminality

The state of being betwixt and between, caught in a transitional phase where a person or group has left one stage of life or identity but has not yet entered the next.

Rite of Intensification

Rituals that are usually performed during a crisis in a group—serving to bind the individuals together. This also happens at cyclical times of the year—harvest and planting, for example. Express and address common values.

Animism

The worldview that non-human entities including animals, plants, rocks, weather systems possess a spiritual essence, soul, or personal agency.