Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology

This set of flashcards covers key concepts, terms, and definitions related to the study of social and cultural anthropology as presented in the lecture notes.

Anthropology

The comparative study of cultural and social life, focusing on human beings and their societies.

Culture

The acquired, cognitive and symbolic aspects of existence that humans have cultivated as members of society.

Ethnocentrism

The evaluation of other cultures based on the standards of one's own culture, often resulting in a perceived superiority.

Cultural Relativism

The principle that cultures are qualitatively different and should be understood on their own terms, without a hierarchical valuation.

Participant Observation

A key method in anthropology involving immersive fieldwork to study and understand social settings from within.

Universalism

The approach in anthropology that emphasizes shared aspects of humanity across different cultures.

Particularism

The anthropological focus on the unique aspects of individual cultures and societies.

Fieldwork

An empirical method in anthropology that involves collecting data through direct interaction with a specific social environment.

Kinship

A culturally defined social relationship based on blood or marriage ties, which plays a crucial role in social organization.

Comparative Method

An approach in anthropology that seeks to understand cultural phenomena by comparing them across different societies.