ANTHRCUL 101 exam 1

Anthropology

The study of human beings, their biology, cultures, languages, and histories across time and space.

Four fields of Anthropology

Cultural anthropology, Archaeology, Biological anthropology, and Linguistic anthropology.

Holistic approach in anthropology

Considering the full scope of human life, including biology, culture, history, and language, in an integrated way.

Comparative method in anthropology

A method that derives insights from careful cross-cultural comparison.

Ethnography

A qualitative research method where anthropologists immerse themselves in a community to study its culture.

Primatology

The study of non-human primates, their behavior, and their social life.

Homologies in evolution

Similar traits inherited from a common ancestor.

Terrestrial in primatology

Living primarily on the ground rather than in trees.

Diurnal vs. nocturnal primates

Diurnal primates are active during the day, while nocturnal primates are active at night.

Sexual dimorphism in primates

Marked differences in male and female biology beyond reproductive organs, such as size or color.

Brachiation

A form of locomotion where primates swing from tree branches using their arms.

Common chimpanzees vs. bonobos

Chimpanzees are more aggressive and hierarchical, while bonobos are more peaceful and female-centered.

Culture

The learned and shared patterns of behavior, beliefs, and material objects in a society.

Four key features of culture

Learned, Symbolic, Dynamic, Integrated with daily experience.

Enculturation

The process through which individuals learn their culture.

Wink vs. twitch anthropologically

A wink is a culturally significant gesture, while a twitch is an involuntary muscle movement.

Globalization in cultural anthropology

The increasing interconnectedness of societies through trade, migration, and cultural exchange.

Key ethnographic methods

Participant observation, interviews, life histories, key informants.

Emic vs. etic perspective

Emic = insider's view of culture; Etic = outsider's analytical perspective.

Participant observation

A key method in anthropology where the researcher actively engages in the daily life of the study population.

Ethical concerns in anthropology

Informed consent, confidentiality, avoiding harm to participants.

Ethnocentrism

Judging other cultures based on one's own cultural norms.

Cultural relativism

Understanding a culture on its own terms rather than judging it by another culture's standards.

Impact of ethnocentrism on cultural understanding

It can lead to misinterpretation and intolerance toward other cultures.

Three main characteristics of human language

Conventionality, Productivity, Displacement.

Call System in primates

A system of communication based on fixed sounds associated with specific stimuli.

Phonology

The study of the sound system of a language.

phonology

The study of sounds in a language.

morphology

The study of word formation and structure.

syntax

The set of rules that govern sentence structure.

focal vocabulary

Words that are particularly important in a specific culture.

proxemics

The study of how people use space in communication.

sociolinguistics

The study of how language and society interact.

language ideology

The beliefs about the superiority or inferiority of different ways of speaking.

Labov's study on pronunciation

Speech patterns correlate with social class.

African American Vernacular English (AAVE)

A rule-governed dialect with grammatical structures distinct from Standard American English.

code-switching

The practice of shifting between languages or speech styles depending on the social context.

Linguistic Justice

The fight against linguistic discrimination, particularly anti-Black linguistic racism.

emergence of anthropology

Anthropology developed as a discipline in response to colonialism, industrialization, and evolutionary theories in the 19th century.

cultural anthropology

The study of human cultures, beliefs, practices, and social structures.

archaeology

The study of past human societies through material remains.

biological anthropology

The study of human evolution, genetics, and biological diversity.

linguistic anthropology

The study of human language, its structure, and its relationship to culture.

comparative method/cross-cultural comparison

A method that compares cultural practices to identify patterns and differences.

The Nacirema

Horace Miner wrote it as a satirical piece demonstrating ethnocentrism by describing American culture as if it were foreign.

prehensile tail

A tail adapted for grasping and used by New World monkeys.

primate taxonomy

The classification system for primates, including Strepsirrhini and Haplorrhini.

Strepsirrhini

Primates with wet noses, such as lemurs and lorises, that rely on smell.

Haplorrhini

Primates with dry noses, including monkeys and apes, that rely more on vision.

New World monkeys

Monkeys found in South America that have prehensile tails.

Old World monkeys

Monkeys found in Africa and Asia, usually larger and more terrestrial than New World monkeys.

shared ape traits

Large body size, complex social behaviors, intelligence, and the absence of tails.

knuckle walking

A form of locomotion used by chimpanzees and gorillas.

coalitionary hunting

When primates hunt in groups, as observed in chimpanzees.

Sarah Hrdy

An anthropologist who studied cooperative breeding and human empathy.

wink vs twitch

A wink is a culturally significant gesture, while a twitch is an involuntary movement.

norms and values

Norms are social rules for behavior; values are shared ideas about what is important.

Culture

The culture of the most powerful or influential group in a society.

Subculture

A group within a society that has distinct norms and values.

Evolutionary model in anthropology

A now outdated concept that suggested cultures progress linearly from 'savage' to 'civilized.'

Colonialism's influence on anthropology

Early anthropologists studied colonized peoples, often from a Eurocentric perspective.

Eugenics

A discredited movement that sought to control human breeding based on racist ideas.

Historical particularism

Boas' theory that cultures develop uniquely due to their histories rather than following a universal path.

Bronislaw Malinowski

A pioneer of long-term ethnographic fieldwork, emphasizing participant observation.

Rapport in ethnography

Building trust and relationships with the people being studied.

Key informant

A person with specialized knowledge in a community who helps anthropologists understand their culture.

Consequences of ethnocentrism

It can lead to cultural misunderstandings, discrimination, and justification for imperialism.

Lila Abu-Lughod's argument about veiling

She argued that Westerners misinterpret veiling as oppression without understanding its cultural context.

Ethnocentric interpretation of Lee's 'Insulting the Meat' story

That the Kalahari people were being rude rather than using humility to maintain equality.

Emic explanation of compassionate cannibalism

In some cultures, it is a respectful way to handle death and honor ancestors.

Call system in primates

A form of vocal communication limited to specific stimuli.

Conventionality in human language

The idea that word meanings are agreed upon by speakers.

Productivity in language

The ability to create new words and sentences.

Displacement in language

The ability to discuss things that are not present in time or space.

Morpheme

The smallest unit of meaning in a language.

Syntax

The set of rules for sentence structure.

Focal vocabulary

Specialized vocabulary used in specific cultural contexts.

Proxemics

The study of personal space in communication.

Linguistic change

How languages evolve over time due to social and cultural influences.

Sociolinguistics

The study of how language interacts with social factors like class, gender, and race.

Language ideology

Beliefs about the superiority or inferiority of certain ways of speaking.

Labov's study on pronunciation in NYC

Speech patterns correlate with social class.

African American Vernacular English (AAVE)

A rule-governed dialect with distinct grammatical features.

Standard American English (SAE)

A dialect that has been socially privileged and associated with education and professionalism.

Code-switching

Alternating between different speech styles depending on the social context.

Linguistic justice

Challenging language discrimination, particularly against Black English.