ANTH 1000 Midterm

What is the holistic perspective in anthropology, and why is it important?

The holistic perspective considers all aspects of human life—biological, cultural, linguistic, and historical—allowing anthropologists to develop a well-rounded understanding of societies.

What are the four fields of anthropology, and what does each study?

Biological Anthropology studies human evolution and genetics; Primatology focuses on non-human primates; Archaeology examines past societies through material remains; Linguistic Anthropology investigates language's influence on social life; Cultural Anthropology studies contemporary human cultures.

How does globalization affect anthropology?

Globalization impacts cultures through time-space compression, flexible accumulation, uneven development, and issues such as climate change.

What is culture, and why is it considered dynamic?

Culture consists of beliefs, traditions, norms, values, and material objects shared by a group, and it is dynamic because it evolves over time through innovation and globalization.

Explain the difference between enculturation and acculturation with examples.

Enculturation is learning one’s native culture from birth (e.g., learning family traditions), while acculturation is cultural exchange when different societies interact (e.g., immigrants adopting new customs).

What are norms, values, and symbols in anthropology?

Norms are shared rules or expectations, values are deeply held beliefs about importance, and symbols are objects or gestures that carry deeper meanings.

What are mental maps of reality?

Mental maps are ways people categorize and perceive the world based on cultural assumptions.

What is cultural relativism, and how does it differ from ethnocentrism?

Cultural relativism is understanding cultures on their own terms, whereas ethnocentrism believes one’s own culture is superior and uses it as a standard to judge others.

What are the three major theoretical approaches to culture?

Unilineal Cultural Evolution suggests cultures progress in stages; Historical Particularism argues each culture develops uniquely; the Interpretivist Approach focuses on understanding culture as a system of meanings.

How do power, stratification, hegemony, and agency relate to culture?

Power is the ability to influence others; stratification is unequal resource distribution; hegemony is dominance of cultural values; agency is the ability of individuals to act independently.

Who is Nancy Scheper-Hughes, and what did she study?

An anthropologist known for studying maternal instincts and infant mortality in Brazilian shantytowns in her work, Death Without Weeping.

What is ethnographic fieldwork, and why is it essential?

Ethnographic fieldwork is a research method where anthropologists immerse themselves in a culture to gain deeper insights and reduce outsider bias.

What is culture shock in ethnographic research?

Culture shock is the disorientation experienced when encountering an unfamiliar culture.

What is armchair anthropology, and why was it problematic?

Armchair anthropology refers to studying cultures from secondhand sources, leading to misinterpretations.

What is participant observation, and who introduced it?

Participant observation is a research method where anthropologists engage with the community they study, introduced by Bronislaw Malinowski.

What was Margaret Mead’s major ethnographic contribution?

In Coming of Age in Samoa, she examined adolescent development and gender roles.

How did Zora Neale Hurston contribute to anthropology?

She conducted ethnographic fieldwork documenting African American folklore and language.

What is reflexivity in ethnography?

Reflexivity is the critical analysis of the anthropologist's impact on research and acknowledgment of biases.

What is a literature review in ethnography?

A literature review analyzes previous research to identify existing knowledge and gaps before conducting new fieldwork.

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

Qualitative data is descriptive and non-numerical, while quantitative data is numerical and used for statistical analysis.

What is rapport in ethnographic research?

Rapport is building trust and relationships with the community to facilitate honest data collection.

What are key informants, and why are they important?

Key informants are individuals who provide deep insights into cultural practices and norms.

What are field notes and mapping in anthropology?

Field notes are detailed records of observations, and mapping creates spatial representations to analyze cultural patterns.

What are zeroes in anthropology?

Zeroes are unspoken cultural elements that are significant but not directly stated.

What is mutual transformation in ethnographic research?

Mutual transformation is the idea that both the anthropologist and the community influence each other through interaction.

What is the difference between emic and etic perspectives?

Emic is understanding cultural practices from within the culture, whereas etic analyzes practices using external frameworks.

What is the 'Do No Harm' principle in anthropology?

Anthropologists must ensure their research does not harm the communities they study.

What is informed consent in anthropological research?

Informed consent is obtaining permission from participants after explaining the research's nature and purpose.

What is multisited fieldwork, and why is it useful?

Multisited fieldwork involves researching across multiple locations to study broad cultural patterns.

What is language in an anthropological context?

Language is a system of communication using symbols, sounds, and gestures with meaning in a cultural context.

What is linguistic productivity?

Linguistic productivity is the ability to create new words and expressions from a set of rules and vocabulary.

What is displacement in language?

Displacement is the ability to communicate about things not present, including past and abstract concepts.

What is historical linguistics?

Historical linguistics studies how languages evolve over time and their relationships.

What is a language continuum?

A language continuum is a range where neighboring dialects gradually shift into different languages.

What is a speech community?

A speech community is a group sharing a common language or dialect and following similar linguistic norms.

What is the difference between phonemes and morphemes?

Phonemes are the smallest sound units, while morphemes are the smallest meaning units in a language.

What is the difference between syntax, grammar, and lexicon?

Syntax is sentence structuring rules, grammar is the complete set of linguistic rules, and lexicon is the vocabulary.

What is kinesics in linguistic anthropology?

Kinesics is the study of body movements and gestures as forms of communication.

What is paralanguage?

Paralanguage encompasses nonverbal elements of speech that convey meaning.

What is linguistic relativity?

Linguistic relativity is the idea that language influences perception and thought.

What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis posits that language shapes how people perceive and think about the world.

Who is Keith Basso, and what did he study?

An anthropologist who wrote about how Apache place-names reflect history and identity.

What is sociolinguistics?

Sociolinguistics is the study of how language varies in social contexts.

What is the difference between dialect and prestige language?

Dialect reflects regional or social variation, while prestige language is associated with power and status.

What is Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital in relation to language?

Bourdieu's concept suggests that ways of speaking grant social advantages and reinforce class distinctions.

What is code-switching, and why do people use it?

Code-switching is the practice of alternating languages or dialects based on social context.

What is language ideology?

Language ideology includes beliefs about language tied to power and identity.

What is African American English (AAE)?

AAE is a linguistic variety with distinct rules and vocabulary used by many African Americans.

What is Mock Spanish, and who studied it?

Mock Spanish is a practice inserting Spanish words into English; studied by Jane Hill and Jonathan Rosa.

What is language loss, and why is it significant?

Language loss is the decline of languages due to colonization; it signifies cultural extinction.

What does Alim and Smitherman’s (2012) research say about Barack Obama’s speech style?

They argue Obama strategically code-switched to connect with diverse audiences, emphasizing Black Language in politics.

Who is Zhang Alan, and what did he study?

Zhang Alan studied sperm donation in China, exploring ethical implications amid strong kinship traditions.

What is kinship in anthropology?

Kinship is the system of social relationships based on blood, marriage, or adoption.

What is a nuclear family?

A nuclear family consists of two parents and their children.

What is a descent group, and how does it differ from a clan?

A descent group traces ancestry through a common ancestor, while a clan is a larger grouping claiming common ancestry without precise tracing.

What are the three main types of descent?

Matrilineal descent (through the mother), patrilineal descent (through the father), and ambilineal descent (choosing lineage).

What are affinal relationships?

Affinal relationships are kinship ties created through marriage.

What is the difference between arranged and companionate marriages?

Arranged marriages are organized by families for alliances, while companionate marriages are based on romantic love.

What did Melanie Medeiros study regarding divorce?

She analyzed divorce in a Brazilian ecotourism community, examining cultural expectations in relationships.

What is monogamy, and is it universal?

Monogamy is a marriage system where one person has one spouse, though its universality is debated.

What are the types of polygamy?

Polygyny (one man with multiple wives) and polyandry (one woman with multiple husbands).

What is the incest taboo?

Cultural prohibition against sexual relations or marriage between close relatives.

What is the difference between endogamy and exogamy?

Endogamy is marriage within a specific group, while exogamy is marriage outside one's group.

What is the difference between dowry and bridewealth?

Dowry is payment from the bride’s family to the groom’s; bridewealth is payment from the groom’s family to the bride’s.

What are biological vs. non-biological kin or 'chosen families'?

Biological kin is based on blood ties, while chosen families are close-knit social groups providing kin-like support.

What are some ethnographic examples of chosen families?

The Langkawi in Malaysia share kinship through food-shared living; 'Cousins' in Southall, England represents kinship beyond blood.

What did Benedict Anderson mean by 'imagined communities'?

Anderson argued that nations are socially constructed communities connected despite member's inability to meet.

How does Max Weber differentiate kin ties from bureaucratic ties?

Traditional kin-based authority is contrasted with modern bureaucratic authority based on rational rules.

What are some issues surrounding reproductive technologies in Israel?

Cultural and religious debates over assisted reproduction, such as surrogacy and sperm donation.

What is the difference between family of orientation vs. family of procreation?

Family of orientation is the one one is born into, while family of procreation is the family created through marriage.

How does capitalism relate to the nuclear family?

The nuclear family supports capitalist labor systems by ensuring a stable workforce.

What is the American Anthropological Association’s (AAA) stance on same-sex partnerships?

The AAA supports diverse family structures, including same-sex marriage, emphasizing kinship as culturally constructed.

What does Todd (2017) argue in 'Fish, Kin and Hope'?

She examines Indigenous kinship perspectives, arguing it extends to water and environment.

What does Serena Nanda discuss in 'Arranging a Marriage in India'?

She explores how arranged marriages prioritize compatibility and family background over romantic love.

What is the difference between oral and textual religions?

Oral religions are passed down orally, whereas textual religions rely on written scriptures.

What is a martyr in religious studies?

A martyr is a person who dies for their religious beliefs.

What is a saint?

A saint is an individual recognized for exceptional holiness within a religious tradition.

What are Émile Durkheim’s key ideas about religion?

Durkheim emphasized the sacred vs. profane distinction and the role of rituals in strengthening social bonds.

What is Victor Turner’s concept of rites of passage?

Rituals marking social status transitions involving separation, liminality, and reintegration.

What is communitas in religious studies?

Communitas is a feeling of unity and equality among participants in religious events.

What is pilgrimage?

A sacred journey undertaken for religious significance.

How did Mary Douglas explain Jewish dietary laws?

Douglas argued that dietary laws reinforce social order by categorizing foods based on symbolic logic.

What did Karl Marx mean by 'religion is the opium of the people'?

Marx believed religion distracts the oppressed from economic struggles.

How does Marvin Harris explain religion through cultural materialism?

Harris argued that religious practices are shaped by economic and environmental factors.

What are Max Weber’s contributions to the study of religion?

Weber explored the Protestant Ethic's impact on capitalism and the process of secularization.

What is a shaman?

A shaman is a religious specialist acting as an intermediary between humans and the spirit world.

What is magic in anthropology?

Magic involves supernatural practices believed to influence events.

What did E.E. Evans-Pritchard study about the Azande people?

He studied their belief in witchcraft and magic, showing how it rationalizes misfortunes.

What did Paul Stoller explore in In Sorcery’s Shadow?

Stoller studied magic and spiritual practices in West Africa based on firsthand experience.

How does George Gmelch relate magic to baseball?

Gmelch examined superstitions showing how players employ rituals to gain a psychological edge.

What is the role of symbols in religion?

Symbols convey deep spiritual meanings.

What did Talal Asad argue about Western conceptions of religion?

Asad critiqued the idea that religion is solely personal belief, emphasizing its links to power.

What did David B. Edwards study about suicide bombing in Afghanistan?

Edwards analyzed how the interplay of religion, politics, and social conditions shapes violence.

What does Luhrmann (2013) argue in 'Belief Is the Least Part of Faith'?

Luhrmann argues that faith emphasizes practice and experience over strict doctrine.

What does Laycock (2022) argue about QAnon?

Laycock compares QAnon to a religious movement, showcasing its use of prophecy and ritual.

Richard Lee

Discussed gift-giving in the Kalahari culture, illustrating how humility among the !Kung is valued over generosity.

Cecil King

Critiques historical anthropological practices, emphasizing the need for ethical engagement with Indigenous communities rather than studying them from a distance.