Anthro 2A: Module 1

Anthropology

The study of human beings—biologically, culturally, and socially—across space and time.

Etymology of Anthropology

From the Greek anthropos ("man") and -ology ("study of"); meaning "the study of humans."

Study of Human Diversity

Examines different ways of being human, human interaction systems, and variations across societies and nations.

Biological Difference in Humans

Involves neurological and physical processes that influence human behavior and control.

Cultural Difference in Humans

Refers to learned and shared meanings, beliefs, symbols, and behaviors shaped by where one is raised.

Example of Culture

Language—used to communicate, connect, and express shared meanings within a culture.

Invisible Aspects of Culture

Beliefs, assumptions, and worldviews that operate subconsciously within daily life.

Cultural Diversity

Variations in customs and social standards; what's normal in one society may be inverted in another.

Human Difference Through History

Explores how social, cultural, and biological changes occur over time, including gender and morality shifts.

Example of Historical Human Difference

The changing views on usury (charging interest) and evolving gender norms.

Biological Change Over Time

Humans share common ancestry with chimpanzees and other primates, showing evolutionary connections.

Importance of Anthropology

Helps understand human interconnectedness, globalization, and the improvement of diversity and understanding.

Sociocultural Anthropology

Studies how biology and environment interact to shape societies and cultural behavior.

Linguistic Anthropology

Studies how language differs across cultures and influences communication and identity.

Archaeology

The study of human history through excavation and analysis of artifacts.

Biological Anthropology

Examines biological variation in humans to understand adaptation, evolution, and design.

Scientific Racism

The false belief that humans can be divided into biological "races" with distinct traits and abilities.

Racism (Anthropological Definition)

The belief that racial traits are biologically inherited and determine behavior or worth.

Typological Thinking

Categorizing humans into "types" based on perceived universal traits—often used in racist science.

Prejudice

A preconceived judgment or bias not based on biological reasoning but on social assumptions.

Social Evolutionism

Early theory suggesting societies progress from "primitive" to "advanced"; often biased and outdated.

Linnaeus (1758)

Classified humans into "variants" (races) such as Europaeus, Asiaticus, Africanus, and Americanus.

Blumenbach (1781)

Introduced five racial categories: Caucasian, Mongolian, Malay, Ethiopian, and American.

Hooton (1926)

Defined the "Big Three" racial types: Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and *******.

Serious Limits to Studying Human Difference

Overreliance on typology and bias in early anthropology led to flawed, racist conclusions.

Message of Anthropology

Promotes understanding, appreciation of diversity, and awareness of human interconnectedness.

Anthropos

Greek for "man."

Logos

Greek for "word" or "reason"; the root of "-ology," meaning "the study of."

Anthropology

The study of human beings—biologically, culturally, and socially—across space and time.

Study of Human Diversity

Examines different ways of being human and how people adapt biologically and culturally.

Overlap of Anthropology

Anthropology connects to many other fields like biology, linguistics, archaeology, and sociology.

Biology (in Anthropology)

Studies neurological and genetic factors that shape human behavior and adaptation.

Culture (in Anthropology)

Learned and shared meanings—symbols, language, beliefs, and behaviors—that shape how we see the world.

Example of Culture

Language—how people learn, share, and communicate meaning.

Beliefs and Worldview

Deep, often invisible assumptions that influence how we think and act.

Gender Stereotypes

Cultural expectations linking men with strength and stoicism, and women with nurturing or dependent traits.

Cultural Diversity

Variations in norms, behaviors, and beliefs across societies.

Human Difference Through History

Examines how biological, social, and cultural traits change over time.

Usury

The historical crime of charging interest on loans, showing moral change over time.

Common Ancestor with Chimpanzees

Humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor from about 10 million years ago.

Scientific Racism

The false belief that humans can be divided into biological "races" with fixed traits.

Racism (Anthropological Definition)

The belief that racial traits are biologically inherited and define human capability.

Prejudice

Preconceived bias or judgment based on social assumptions, not biology.

Typologizing

Categorizing people into types or generalizations—often oversimplifying and ignoring culture.

Ethnography

The firsthand study of local settings through fieldwork and observation.

Alienation in Anthropology

Feeling like an outsider can help anthropologists better understand different cultures.

Holistic Approach

Anthropology studies humans as a whole—biologically, culturally, socially, and historically.

Enculturation

The process by which children learn traditions and culture by growing up in a particular society.

Forms of Human Adaptation

Genetic, long-term physiological, short-term physiological, and technological.

Four Subfields of Anthropology

Cultural (sociocultural), archaeological, biological, and linguistic anthropology.

Core Assumption of Anthropology

Human nature cannot be understood by studying only one population.

Cultural Anthropology

Studies human society and culture through fieldwork and participant observation.

Ethnology

The comparative analysis of cultures using ethnographic data.

Anthropological Archaeology

Studies past human behavior and culture through material remains.

Paleoecology

The study of how ancient organisms interacted with their environment.

Garbology

The study of human behavior through garbage and waste analysis.

Biological Anthropology

Studies human biological diversity, evolution, genetics, and adaptation.

Five Specialties of Biological Anthropology

Paleanthropology, human genetics, growth & development, biological plasticity, and primatology.

Human Biological Plasticity

The body's ability to adapt to environmental conditions like temperature or altitude.

Primatology

The study of monkeys, apes, and other nonhuman primates to understand human evolution.

Osteology

The study of bones.

Paleontology vs. Paleoanthropology

Paleontology studies fossils broadly; paleoanthropology focuses on human evolutionary fossils.

Linguistic Anthropology

The study of language in its social and cultural context.

Sociolinguistics

Examines how language varies across social groups and situations.

Applied Anthropology

Uses anthropological data to solve contemporary social problems.

Cultural Resource Management (CRM)

Deciding what cultural sites or artifacts should be preserved or protected.

Anthropology vs. Sociology

Sociology studies industrialized Western societies with large-scale surveys; anthropology studies smaller, often non-Western communities through fieldwork.

Word of the Year Concept

Shows how vocabulary shifts to reflect cultural changes.