Culture & Comparison: P2-3

What is the eurocentric assumption about witchcraft beliefs?

It assumes that people who believe in witchcraft are less rational or educated.

How should anthropologists approach the study of witchcraft?

Through a relativist point of view to better understand different cultures.

Who made significant contributions to the study of religion in the early 1900s?

George Fraser in 'The Golden Bough'.

What controversial argument did George Fraser make about religion?

He argued that religion is developed by culture and should be examined and questioned.

What did Emile Durkheim argue about the role of religion in society?

He believed religion creates solidarity and community, acting as social glue.

What is 'collective consciousness' according to Durkheim?

It is the shared beliefs and values that bond people together in a community.

What does Durkheim mean by 'homo duplex'?

It refers to the dual nature of humans, having both individual desires and social constraints.

How does Edward Taylor relate magic to rationality?

He suggests that magic has a similar logic to science, involving associative thinking.

What analogy does witchcraft serve in Azande culture?

Witchcraft is an analogy for luck, where 'bad luck' is described as being 'bewitched'.

How is rationality viewed in the context of witchcraft?

Rationality is social and dependent on its function, and witchcraft can be logical through elaboration.

What was the prediction about witchcraft in modern societies?

It was predicted that societal changes would make witchcraft disappear, but this did not happen.

What role did colonial courts play in witchcraft accusations?

People with witchcraft problems would go to colonial courts, which sometimes reinforced beliefs in witchcraft.

What is Douglas's view on the functionality of witchcraft accusations?

Accusations redefine group boundaries and control deviants in the name of community values.

What is the 'witchcraft paradigm' period?

From 1937-1970, witchcraft was seen as logical within cultural settings and functional for social cohesion.

What shift occurred in the study of witchcraft from 1970-1985?

There was a decline in studies of witchcraft influenced by postmodernism, focusing instead on spirit possession and shamanism.

What does the return of witchcraft studies in the late '80s indicate?

New political structures promoted more accusations, revealing tensions in close-knit communities.

How are emotions characterized in the context of human communication?

Emotions are universal and adaptive, aiding communication and cooperation.

What is the debate between universalism and relativism regarding emotions?

Some view emotions as universal, while others see them as culturally relative.

What is the difference between materialism and idealism in sociology?

Materialism focuses on the body, while idealism emphasizes how the mind affects emotions.

What does epigeneticism study?

It studies how one's environment and behaviors shape gene expression.

What is the distinction between positivism and interpretation in studying emotions?

Positivism focuses on control and changing variables, while interpretation looks at language and ideology.

How are emotions expressed in anthropology?

Emotions are expressed as 'Feeling vs Sentiment' and 'Private vs Expressed/Symbolically constructed'.

What is the romanticism vs rationalism debate in the study of emotions?

Romanticism values emotions as essential to humanity, while rationalism views them as vague and irrelevant.

Why is studying emotions important in anthropology?

It provides insight into the human condition and reveals how emotions are socially constructed.

What is ethnography in the context of emotions?

Revealing emotions and social relationships through language and people's actions.

How do seasonal changes affect emotions?

Seasonal change and climatic conditions can impact issues like food, inclusion, and living together.

What role do kinship bonds play in emotions?

Kinship bonds, including blood and adoptive relationships, influence emotional expressions and controls.

What is the significance of control in emotional expression?

Emotions are gendered, and controlling one's emotions is often seen as a mark of adulthood.

What is Ruth Behar's perspective on empathy?

She questions whether we can understand or empathize with a person if we don't share experiences.

How does Kristen Hastrup view the representation of poverty?

She argues that turning poverty into facts and statistics excludes lived experiences, preventing us from seeing people as individuals.

What is the impact of social media on political emotions in Brazil?

Social media, particularly WhatsApp, plays a significant role in shaping emotions during political campaigns.

What does moral panic refer to?

An exaggerated representation of events that reveals lingering social problems, often escalating through police and justice systems.

What are joking relationships according to Alfred Radcliffe-Brown?

A relation where one person is permitted to tease or make fun of another, who must not take offense.

How did Briggs' analysis of emotions relate to Freud?

Briggs analyzed how humans deal with violent nature and desires, reflecting conflicts between Es, Ich, and Über-Ich.

What are defense mechanisms in emotional psychology?

Ways of dealing with emotional tensions and internal conflicts, including repression, denial, and projection.

What is displacement in psychological terms?

Directing emotions at something or someone else instead of the original source.

What does Norbert Elias say about civilization and emotions?

He discusses self-control and the regulation of emotions through rationalization and psychologization.

What does Abram de Swaan suggest about modern society's structure?

He emphasizes that modern society is based on negotiation rather than authority, leading to deliberation and conflict resolution.

What is Michel Foucault's critique of the rational image of humans?

He argues that the idea of humans progressing rationally and morally is incorrect; humans are shaped by social, political, and economic structures.

What is biopower in the context of state control?

Techniques for subjugating bodies and populations through disciplinary institutions like police and schools.

How does Slavoj Žižek relate jokes to control and emotions?

He discusses how seemingly voluntary actions can be oppressive, using humor as a lens to examine control.

What is the significance of consumption in citizenship?

How individuals spend their time and money reflects their social status and can influence political choices.

What is the role of collective fantasies in emotional discourse?

They arise from ideologies and express pain or pleasure beyond religious or public discourse.

What does moral distinction refer to in social contexts?

The idea that certain groups are morally superior to others, often leading to social divisions.

What is regression in psychological behavior?

A return to earlier patterns of behavior, often seen in adults under stress who seek comfort from childhood.

What does sublimation mean in emotional psychology?

Transforming unwanted impulses into socially acceptable forms, such as turning aggression into a career in surgery.

What is the impact of economic crises on social identification?

Economic insecurity can lead individuals to distance themselves from poorer groups, emphasizing moral distinctions.

What is the relationship between kinship structure and emotions?

Emotions reflect kinship structures, influencing how individuals express and manage their feelings.

What does the term 'moral panic' encompass?

It includes exaggerated responses to social issues that reveal deeper societal problems.

How does Foucault's concept of discourse relate to power?

Discourse shapes how we think and talk about human beings, reflecting underlying power dynamics.

What historical events are often associated with witchcraft belief in Europe and North America?

The Inquisition and Reformation persecutions.

What was the role of clergy in the context of witchcraft before the Inquisition?

Clergy assigned the administration of evil to Satan and witches.

What is the significance of the Malleus Maleficarum published in 1487?

It served as a handbook for discovering, trying, torturing, and executing witches across Europe.

How did the Reformation affect witch-hunting practices?

Protestants continued persecutions, with Calvin's Geneva becoming a center for witch-hunting.

What major event occurred in Salem in 1692?

The last major witch-hunt, resulting in the execution of twenty accused witches.

What is the cultural significance of Salem in American history?

It symbolizes prejudice and intolerance, contrasting with American democratic ideals.

How did witchcraft beliefs extend beyond Europe and North America?

Witchcraft beliefs are widespread in Africa, Asia, native North and South America, and the Pacific.

What distinction did Evans-Pritchard make between witchcraft and sorcery?

Witchcraft is an innate ability to cause harm, while sorcery involves conscious rituals and spells.

What psychological role does witchcraft play in Navajo culture according to Kluckhohn?

It channels emotions of guilt, desire, and aggression, allowing individuals to absolve themselves from blame.

What are common features of witchcraft beliefs across cultures?

Witches often possess non-human power, are typically adults, and are blamed for misfortunes.

What motivates witchcraft according to cross-cultural beliefs?

Witchcraft is motivated by envy and malice rather than material gain.

How do sociological theories explain witchcraft accusations?

Accusations reformulate problematic social relations and serve as a means to initiate social changes.

What role does witchcraft play in modern contexts according to recent theories?

Witchcraft persists as a relevant belief system, adapting to modernity and globalization.

What is the 'evil eye' in Mediterranean witchcraft beliefs?

It refers to the belief that envy can harm objects and people, leading to protective practices.

In what ways has witchcraft discourse adapted to modern challenges?

It incorporates new themes and reflects concerns about social inequalities and technological changes.

What is the significance of sorcery in the political systems of the Dobu in Melanesia?

Sorcery is a crucial component of leadership and is used to enforce social obligations and avenge wrongs.

How do accusations of witchcraft serve social functions in communities?

They can address social tensions and conflicts that are not easily resolved through formal judicial processes.

What is the relationship between witchcraft and kinship networks in globalization?

Witchcraft discourse links local kinship networks with global changes, reflecting community concerns.

What are some contemporary beliefs associated with witchcraft in Cameroon?

Beliefs include accusations of politicians using occult forces for power and the exploitation of victims.

What does the term 'nouveaux riches' refer to in the context of witchcraft?

It refers to newly wealthy individuals suspected of exploiting others through witchcraft practices.

How do modern witchcraft beliefs reflect societal fears?

They express anxieties about social changes, power dynamics, and the impacts of modernization.

What is a common limitation of classical theories on witchcraft?

They often overlook the actual performance of witchcraft and focus on psychological and social realities.

What role does witchcraft play in the expression of forbidden desires in Navajo culture?

It provides an outlet for expressing forbidden desires and hostile feelings in a socially acceptable manner.

What is the significance of witchcraft in times of crisis?

Witches become socially important as misfortunes are ascribed to them, reflecting societal anxieties.

What are some physical stigmas associated with witches in various cultures?

Physical stigmas may include marks like a red eye or a special substance associated with witchcraft.

What do West (2005) and Kapferer (2003) argue about witchcraft beliefs?

They challenge the notion that witchcraft beliefs merely symbolize or represent other social and historical realities.

What is the perspective of the Muedans of Mozambique on sorcery?

They insist that sorcery is real and not just a metaphor for social predation.

How does West (2005) suggest we approach the Muedan world of sorcery?

He suggests a phenomenological approach that engages with sorcery as a means of constructing social realities.

What role does language play in the Muedan understanding of sorcery?

Reality is built through language and discourse, and sorcery is an ever-present language in social encounters.

What concept does Kapferer (2003) introduce regarding witchcraft and the occult?

He states that beliefs and practices related to witchcraft have potency because they engage the human imagination in unique 'phantasmagoric spaces.'

What is the current scholarly opinion on witchcraft discourses?

There are both continuities and discontinuities between witchcraft discourses and their contexts.

What do witchcraft discourses potentially embody?

They may embody historical memories and contemporary desires.

What is the core problem regarding truth and rationality in anthropology?

The intuitive standard that only true ideas are rational raises questions about the truth of all societies' ideas.

What distinction did the Greeks make regarding truth?

They distinguished between 'truth by nature' (universal) and 'truth by convention' (local).

What do relativists and skeptics say about universal truth?

Relativists claim it is inaccessible, while skeptics deny its possibility.

How does Western natural science view truths?

It assumes that truths by nature are accessible and that only these can be rationally endorsed.

What is the significance of ethnography in relation to rationality?

Ethnography is considered rational even if its subjects are not, as it can report truths by convention that are true by nature.

What did Kuhn (1962) contribute to the discussion of rationality?

He labeled competing views as 'paradigms' and legitimized them as truths by convention.

What is the critique of the idea that others cannot reason to universal truths?

It is refuted by evidence of successful assimilation into societies and the universal success of science.

What is Lévy-Bruhl's (1922) view on primitive mentality?

He suggested that others are more practical and emotional, lacking logical reasoning.

What is Foucault's concept of 'epistemes'?

It is a revival of the primitive mentality idea, critiqued for being untestable.

What do myth theories suggest about myths?

Myths are a way of thinking and knowledge that charter society and maintain social cohesion.

What is the critique of functionalist views on myths?

Functionalism confuses effect with cause and is anti-historical, failing to account for survivals.

What is natural monism?

The view that there is one natural scale of ideas, which is refuted by evidence of myth shedding in modernizing societies.

What does Popper (1945) argue about rationality?

He posits that sophisticated techniques distinguish the pursuit of truth by nature, fostering cooperative self-checking.

What is the key conclusion regarding differences in rationality?

The difference between 'us' and 'others' is social; certain actions in search of truth are rational.

What contrasts are made between traditional and modern views of ideas?

Contrasts include historical vs universal, anthropomorphic vs mechanistic, and emotional vs intellectual.

What is the historical background influencing the unity of the human race?

The Darwinian atmosphere demands a coherent account of intellectual progress, which functionalists attempted to provide.

What did logical positivists claim about scientific ideas?

They claimed a clear demarcation between scientific ideas and pseudoscience, which was ultimately deemed impossible.

What is Popper's view on the scientific method?

Popper characterizes the scientific method as a rational treatment of ideas, making science a special case of rational action.