Comprehensive ANTH 260 Exam 1: Ethnography, Culture & Globalization (WEEK 1)

What is the primary focus of anthropology?

The study of humans across time, place, biology, language, and culture.

Define holism in anthropology.

The commitment to look at the whole picture of human life across time and space.

What are the four subfields of anthropology?

Biological, Archaeology, Linguistic, Sociocultural.

What does the term ethnocentrism mean?

The assumption that one's own way is correct and others' ways are wrong or ignorant.

What is cultural relativism?

The method of understanding cultures on their own terms without judgment.

What is the difference between othering and otherness?

Othering is subordinating people by treating them as less than, while otherness acknowledges differences without hierarchy.

What is participant observation?

A research method where the anthropologist lives with and engages in the daily life of the people being studied.

What is the salvage paradigm?

The idea to document cultures before they disappear, assuming change means loss.

What does the comparative method involve?

Comparing cultures to find patterns and understand differences.

What is the primary ethical commitment of anthropologists?

To the people they study, ensuring to do no harm.

What is the role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in anthropology?

To review research on people, ensuring ethical standards are met.

What does the term 'systematic astonishment' refer to?

Looking at things with surprise to gain new insights.

What is the significance of positionality in ethnographic research?

It refers to how the researcher's identity influences their perspective and findings.

How did industrialization impact the development of anthropology?

It pulled rural people into cities and factories, prompting anthropologists to study small places and non-Western societies.

What is the evolutionary paradigm in anthropology?

The view that change in societies means progress, often misapplied to rank cultures.

Who is Franz Boas and what is his contribution to anthropology?

He is associated with the salvage paradigm and emphasized documenting cultures before they disappear.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative methods in anthropology?

Qualitative methods focus on words and meanings, while quantitative methods focus on numbers and statistics.

What does 'fieldwork' mean in anthropology?

Research conducted in the natural environment of the subjects, as opposed to a laboratory setting.

What is the importance of reflexivity in ethnographic research?

It involves reflecting on how the researcher's background and biases shape the research process.

What is the main goal of applied anthropology?

To use anthropological insights to address and solve real-world problems.

What does the term 'empirical' mean in the context of anthropology?

Based on observable and measurable evidence rather than opinion.

What is the relationship between globalization and cultural difference?

Globalization produces friction, hybridization, and new forms of inequality without erasing cultural differences.

What is the significance of the term 'small place, big issue' in anthropology?

It emphasizes studying specific communities to understand larger global forces.

What is the role of ethics in anthropological research?

To ensure the protection and respect of the rights and dignity of research participants.

What does the term 'cultural relativism' imply?

Understanding cultures in their own context without imposing external judgments.

What is meant by 'representation is always partial' in anthropology?

Acknowledging that any portrayal of a culture will miss some aspects and perspectives.