Anthropology

Ms. Rados

define Anthropology

-the study of humanity and evolution

define physical anthropology

-the sub-field of anthro. that looks at human physiological and biological characteristics

types of anthropology

-physical

-sociocultural

-archaeological

-linguistic

types of physical anthropology

-primatology

-paleoanthropology (evolution)

renowned physical anthropologists

-Charles Darwin

-Franz Boas

-Jane Goodall

-Diane Fossey

-Birute Galdikas

discoveries of Charles Darwin

Natural Selection

discoveries of Franz Boas

Cultural relativism

discoveries of Jane Goodall

Discovered that Chimpanzees use tools, hunt and eat meat, have complex emotions

discoveries of Diane Fossey

Revolutionized understanding of mountain gorillas, revealing complex social structures, communication

discoveries of Birute Galdikas

Revolutionized understanding of orangutans, revealing their complex diet

our ancestors

-Australopithecus Afarensis 

-Homo Habilis

-Homo Erectus

-Homoe Sapiens Neanderthal

-Homo Sapiens Cro-Magnon

-Homo Sapiens Sapiens 

sub-domains of cultural anthropology

-Language

-Social Organization

-Customs and traditions

-Art & lit.

-Religion

-Systems of government

-Economic systems

define assimilation

when one group adopts the practices of another group, thus loosing their own culture

define diffusion

the process of spreading cultural traits from one place to another

define Acculturation

when two groups come into contact, and each group adapts for the with/to the others traits, each gaining and loosing

define multiculturalism

when multiple different cultural groups co-exist within one society, neither has to lose or gain any cultural traits

define Ethnography

the scientific description of the customs of individual people and cultures

define Netnography

same as ethnography but for online cultures

types of data collection methods in cultural anthropology

-unstructured interviews

-semi-structured interviews

-structured interviews

-counting people, photographs and mapping

define ethnocentrism

-evaluating cultures in the standards and customs of one’s own

-you think your culture is superior

define cultural relativism

the idea that every culture should be understood within their own context, without comparison to another

define cultural universals

fundamental traits, institutions, systems, and patterns that can be found in all human cultures

culture as an agent of socialization

a process where individuals learn the appropriate behavioural patterns, skills, and values for their social world

storytelling as an agent of socialization

storytelling is the most common way that people pass on their cultural norms, tradition and values

define rite of passage

a ceremony or event that marks an important point in someone’s life

stages of a rite of passage

segregation, transition, re-integration

define globalization within cultural evolution

-globalization is how humans are becoming more and more connected with one another

-this means that there is more and quicker exchange of cultural traits

Melting pot vs. Mosaic

-America is viewed as a melting pot as you are “american first, then your other nationality”, example of assimilation

-Canada is viewed as a mosaic as each person is their own nationality as well as Canadian, they are equal, example of multiculturalism

technology in cultural evolution

when a culture adopts a new technology, it leads to a cultural change

define language

a communication system, includes vocabulary as well as grammar rules

evolution of language

around 300,000 years ago, the larynx (voice box) and the hyoid bone developed, enabling more communication