ANTH 101 Topic 1-3

Cultural Relativism

Looking at another person's beliefs and behaviours from their perspective of their culture and not your own

Deductive

To deduce. Reasoning from general down to specific

Enculturation

The process of learning the characteristics and expectations of a culture or group directly from friends and family and indirectly by observing and imitating those around us

Think: we are born with the capacity to learn any culture

Ethnocentrism

Viewing ones culture as the most important and as a standard for other cultures

Hominim

Humans (homo sapiens), their close relatives & immediate ancestors

Inductive

Research based on day-to-day observations

A type of reasoning that is uses specific information to draw general conclusion

Eg a researcher collects evidence without trying to prove or disprove a hypothesis. They become familiar in the field with the ppl before identifying a hypothesis or research Q

Paleo anthropologist

Biological anthropologists who study ancient human relatives

Participant-observation

A type of observation in which the anthropologist observes while participating in the same activities in which her informants are engaged

Uses observation and participant observation to document daily routines, major events, and human environment interactions

relies on detailed field notes, journals, and diaries to record objective data alongside researcher perceptions. Requires immersion and extended time with informant to build mutual trust and a comfortable working relationship.

Armchair anthropology

Early & discredited method of anthropological research that did not involve direct contact with the people studied

Cultural determinism

The idea that behavioural differences are a result of cultural, not racial or genetic causes

Cultural evolutionism

A discredited theory that suggested societies evolved through stages from simple to advanced

Cultural relativism

The idea that we should seek to understand another person's beliefs and behaviours from the perspective of THEIR culture and not our own

Culture

A set of beliefs, practices, and symbols that are learned and shared.

Together they form an all encompassing whole that buying people together and shapes their worldview and ways of life.

Culture shapes are perceptions, behaviors, and relationship relationships

Enculturation

The process of learning the characteristics and expectations of a culture or group

Ethnocentrism

Viewing your own culture as most important and correct, And as the standard to measure all other cultures against

Functionalism

An approach that emphasized the way parts of the society work together to support the functioning of the whole.

Understanding the form and function of social institutions Eg families, businesses, political organizations.

Going native

Fully integrating into a cultural group through act such as taking a leadership position, assuming key roles in society, entering into marriage, or other behaviours that incorporate an anthropologist into the society they are studying

**BRONISLAW MALINOWSKI went native during his fieldwork with Trobriand Islanders

Holism

Taking a broad view of the historical, environmental, and cultural foundations of behaviour

Kinship

Blood ties, common ancestry, and social relationships that form families within human groups

Participant observation

A type of observation in which the anthropologist observes while participating in the same activities in which her informant are engaged

Structural functionalism

An approach that focusses on the ways in which the customs or social institutions in a culture contribute to the organization of society and the maintenance of social order

The Other

A term that has been used to describe people whose customs, beliefs, or behaviours are “different” from one’s own. The Other is seen as an outsider

Contested identity

A dispute with a group about the collective identity or identities of the group

Cultural relativism

The idea we should seek to understand another person's beliefs and behaviours from the perspective of their culture, and not our own

Diaspora

The scattering of a group of people who have left their original homeland and now live in various locations. Eg immigrants, refugees, and Jewish people living around the world

Emic

A description of the studied culture from the perspective of a member of the culture or insider

Etic

A description of the studied culture from the perspective of an observer or outsider

Ethnography

The in-depth study of the everyday practises and lives of the people

The detailed description and study of a culture, usually based on fieldwork and writing a detailed account from your notes

Indigenous

People who have continually lived in a particular location for a long period of time, prior to the arrival of others, or who have historical ties to a location, and who are culturally distinct from the dominant population surrounding them

Key informants

Individuals who are more knowledgable about their culture than others, and who are particularly helpful to the anthropologist

Land tenure

How property rates to land are allocated within societies, including how permissions are granted to access, use, control. and transfer land

Noble Savage

An inaccurate way of portraying, indigenous groups or minority cultures as innocent, childlike, or uncorrupted by the negative characteristics of “civilization”

Qualitative

Research designed to gain an in-depth, contextualized understanding of human behaviour

Quantitative

Research that uses statistical, mathematical, and/or numerical data to study human behaviour

Remittances

Money that migrants, labouring outside of the region or country send back to their hometown and families

Thick description

To describe adetailed description of the study group that not only explains the behaviour of it. a term coined by anthropologist Clifford Giertz in his 1973 book The interpretation of cultures, cultural event in question, but also the context in which it occurs and anthropological interpretations of it

Undocumented

The preferred term for immigrants who live in a country without formal authorization from the state. Undocumented refers to the fact that these people lack the official documents that would legally permit them to reside in the country.

Applied anthropology

Another area of specialization within or between the anthropological subfields

Anthropology put into practice.

Define anthropology

The study of humanity

The study of everything and anything that makes us human, differences and similarities, both biological and cultural in human populations

What are the four major subfields of anthropology?

C L A P 👏🏼

Cultural

Linguistic

Archeology

Physical

Define cultural anthropology

The study of cultural variation and universals.

Studying the similarities and differences among living societies and cultural groups, concerned with recent or contemporary human cultures

Define linguistic anthropology

Anthropological study of languages

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis AKA linguistic relativity

States that the language you speak allows you to think about some things and not others

Define biological anthropology

The study of human origins, evolution, and variation.

Some anthropologists focus on the behavioural similarities and differences between human and non-human primates While others focus on extinct human species

What does a Paleo anthropologist study?

Ancient human relatives

NOTE TO READ

Other biological anthropologist focus on humans in the present, including genetic and phenotypic variation (aka observable) Eg hair colour, skin colour, eye colour, weight , blood type

Define archeology

The study of past human cultures through their material remains. Eg Tools, food, pottery, art, shelters etc

What method do archeologists use to answer their questions?

Excavation: careful, digging, and removing of dirt and stones to uncover material remains while recording their context

Applied anthropology, PPT slide

Sometimes considered a fifth sub discipline, involves the application of anthropological theories, methods, and findings to solve practical problems. Usually in the service of an agency outside the traditional academic setting.

What are three distinguishing features of anthropology?

• Broader in scope, both geographically and historically - concerned explicitly, and directly with all people, in all places, and at all times

• Holistic - Multifaceted approach, studies, all varieties of people and many aspects of human experience

• Concern with variation - diversity within and between populations both passed and present

The scope of anthropology

Anthropologist are concerned, explicitly, and directly with all people, all places and at all times

List six characteristics of culture

• Humans are born with the capacity to learn the culture of any social group, directly and indirectly

• Culture constantly changes in response to internal and external factors.

• Humans are not bound by culture, they have the capacity to conform to it or not, and even transform it.

• Culture is symbolic, individuals create and share the meanings of symbols within their group or society

• The degree to which humans rely on culture distinguishes us from other animals and shaped our evolution

• Human culture and biology are interrelated, our biology, growth, and development are impacted by culture

What are four key anthropological perspectives?

Holism - the whole of humanity

Relativism - understand another person's culture from their perspective and not our own

Comparison - To learn and comparewhat humans have in common, how we differ, and how we change.

Fieldwork - Conducting research in the field with the species or groups of people you are studying

Describe the deductive/scientific approach

Uses hypothesis testing, collects and analyzes material data, answers questions about human origins and evolution

Describe the inductive/humanistic approach

Collect and analyze non-material data, such as observations of everyday life or language in use

Describe stories and fables

Stories are told in every culture and often teach a moral lesson to young children

Fables often set an example for people to live by or describe what to do in a dangerous situation

Both can be part of traditions, help preserve ways of life or explain mysteries. Sometimes stories can be a form of social control example a story about something not allowed in society

Describe armchair anthropology, and ethnocentrism

Armchair anthropology is when you do not have any direct contact with the people you are studying. Facts and stories are developed about other cultures solely based on information such as written accounts or opinions gathered by others.

Ethnocentrism is placing your own culture as superior to the one being studied. Usually the studied culture is being viewed from a distance, such as armchair anthropology.

Describe the off the veranda approach

Incorporating fieldwork which took scholars, off the veranda. This approach includes active participant observation. Travelling to a location, living among people and observing their day-to-day lives.

Anthropology in Europe versus USA

In Europe, they were interested in functionalism, how social institutions contribute to the organization of society and the maintenance of social order.

In USA, a significant contribution was the concept of cultural relativism. The focus on culture with the idea of cultural relativism, distinguished cultural anthropology in the States from social anthropology in Europe.

Ethical issues in truth telling

Complex issues can arise from participant observation fieldwork. Anthropologists developed formal standards of professional conduct. Many principles were adopted from the Nuremberg code to write ethical guidelines for the treatment of human subjects.

The goal of fieldwork

To describe a group of people to others in a way that makes strange or unusual features of that culture seem familiar and extraordinary. To help people think in a new way about their own culture by comparing them with other cultures.

Emic vs Etic

Emic = from the perspective of the studied culture, essential for obtaining detailed understanding of a culture someone closer to that culture than yourself

Etic = From the perspective of the outsideobserver

The deductive approach

Rather than starting with only general goal, goals Research researchers now select a specific problem before hand to direct and shape their study at the field site

Qualitative versus Quantitative

Qualitative = descriptive information

Quantitative = numerical information

Science and humanism

Early anthropologist borrowed methods and techniques from the sciences, but more recently they have distanced themselves from science oriented, research and embraced, more humanistic approaches, including symbolic and interpretive perspectives

Interpretive anthropology

Analyzes subjective webs of meaning rather than testing rigid hypotheses

Researchers frilly, adapt, scientific or humanistic tools to match their specific study goals

The genealogical method

Traces kinship, descent, and marriage systems to understand how family networks form the structural foundation of communities

Uses geometric shapes, example triangles for men and circles for women to map out one family structure/family tree

Crates a family chart relative to a central individual known as the Ego

Key informants

Specialized community members who provide deep nuanced knowledge to help ethnographers understand complex practises and answer specialized questions. They are field partners, relationship is built on a strong rapport. Eg fieldwork with a gang member

Field notes

Detailed logs, capturing sensory impressions, exact dialogue, and observed events, expanded on daily from quick notes to formal reports

Ethnographic authority

the credibility or power an anthropologist has to describe and interpret another culture based on their research and experiences.

Modern ethnographies include informant's direct perspectives, thoughts, and lived experiences to ensure balanced representation

Polyvocality

Includes informant direct words, co-author ship, or extensive first person quotes alongside the researchers analysis, reducing single author authority

Reflexivity

when an anthropologist reflects on how their own beliefs, values, background, and biases influence their research and interpretation of another culture.

Acknowledge power, imbalances and research and open space for alternative, cultural interpretations and marginalized voices

Participant protection

Fieldwork part prioritizes participant protection through strict adherence to do no harm, mandatory informed consent, continuous anonymity, and making research findings, accessible, and beneficial to local communities

Applied anthropology, from textbook

Involves the application of anthropological theories, methods, and findings to solve practical problems