anthropology

for 1st quiz

Anthropology

-ANALYSIS AND DESCRIPTIONOF HUMANITY’S PAST AND PRESENT

-INCLUDE PREHISTORIC ORIGINS AND HUMAN EVOLUTION

-TUDY OF CONTEMPORARY HUMANITY FOCUSES ON BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY INCLUDING LANGUAGE.

Pre-historic origins

Events that occurred before the existence of written records in a given culture or society

Human evolution

the lengthy process of biological and cultural change that has led to the emergence of modern humans (Homo sapiens) from earlier hominin ancestors.

Nature of anthropology

1.CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

2.PHYSICAL/ BIOLOGICAL

ANTHROPOLOGY

3.ARCHAELOGY

4.LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY

cultural anthropology

Concerned with the study of

human societies and cultures

and their development.

KEY STAGES AND FACTORS OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

-Hunter-Gatherer Societies (characterized by small, nomadic groups focused on hunting and gathering for survival)
-Agricultural revolution

-Urbanization

-Industrial revolution (technologies)

PHYSICAL/ BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY

that explores the biological and

behavioral aspects of humans,

past andpresent,in an evolutionary context.

Human evolution

Investigating the origins and evolutionary history of humans, including the study of fossils and ancient DNA

Primatology

Studying the biology and behavior of primates (monkeys, apes, and prosimians) to understand human origins and evolution

Human Variations

Examining physical and genetic differences among human populations, both past and present, and exploring the factors that contribute to this variation.

Adaptation

Understanding how humans adapt to different environments, including both biological and behavioral responses

ARCHAEOLOGY

the study of human history and

prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains

Stratigraphy

layers of soil and deposits

LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY

the study of how language and culture interact. It examines how language shapes human thought, social behavior, and cultural practices, while also exploring how culture influences the structure and use of language

Language and Thought

Investigating how language might influence the way people perceive and understand the world.

Language and Social interactions

Analyzing how language is used to create and maintain social relationships, negotiate power dynamics, and express social identities

Language and Culture

Examining how language reflects and shapes cultural beliefs, values, and practices

Language change and variations

Studying how languages evolve over time and how they vary across different social groups and geographical regions

Goals of anthropology

HUMAN ORIGIN

HUMAN EVOLUTION

HUMAN DIVERSITY

HUMAN SOCIETY

Human origin

the scientific study of how humans evolved from earlier ape-like ancestors and the origins of modern humans.

Anthropogeny or anthropogenesis

explores the evolutionary journey of our species, including physical and behavioral changes over millions of years. It investigates the transition from early hominins to Homo sapiens, encompassing the development of traits like bipedalism, larger brains, tool use, and language

Human evolution

he lengthy process of biological and cultural change by which humans (Homo sapiens) developed from their apelike ancestors. It encompasses the study of how humans have evolved over millions of years, including changes in their physical form, genetics, physiology, and behavior. This process is driven by mechanisms like natural selection, adaptation, and speciation, leading to the emergence of modern humans.

Human diversity

the wide range of differences that exist among individuals and groups of people. These differences can include ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical abilities, religion, and socioeconomic status. It encompasses the unique characteristics and experiences that make each person distinct, while also recognizing the shared humanity that connects us all.

Human society

a group of people living in a structured way, sharing a common culture and interacting with each other. It encompasses various aspects like social structures, cultural norms, and shared beliefs. This definition emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of individuals within a society.

PERSPECTIVES OF ANTHROPOLOGY

-Holistic

-Comparative

Holistic

-LOOKING AT ALL PARTS OF HUMAN LIFE

-the perspective that studies human societies and cultures as integrated wholes, recognizing that various aspects are interconnected and cannot be fully understood in isolation

Comparative

-STUDYING CULTURES

WITHOUT BIAS

Cultural relativism

the principle of understanding and analyzing cultural practices and beliefs within their specific cultural context, rather than judging them based on one's own cultural norms. It emphasizes that each culture is unique and should be understood on its own terms, avoiding ethnocentric biases

Ethnocentrism

the tendency to view one's own culture as superior and to judge other cultures based on the standards and values of one's own culture. It involves applying one's own cultural framework to interpret and evaluate other cultures, often leading to negative perceptions or misunderstandings of those cultures.