Introduction to Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational terms in anthropology, sociology, and political science from the lecture notes.

Anthropology

Systematic study of humanity aimed at understanding evolutionary origins, human distinctiveness, and cultural diversity across time and space.

Anthropos

Greek root meaning “human” or “man.”

Logos

Greek root meaning “study” or “discourse.”

Human Cultural Variation

Differences in social behavior, customs, beliefs, languages, and practices across societies.

Social Change

Transformations in population, environment, and modernization affecting society.

Cultural Change

Alterations in culture through invention, discovery, diffusion, industrialization, and innovation.

Political Change

Shifts in political structures caused by internal events (elections, rebellions) or external threats (military).

Diffusion

Spread of cultural elements from one society to another through processes like enculturation or acculturation.

Enculturation

Process by which individuals learn their own culture from birth onward.

Acculturation

Exchange of cultural features when groups come into continuous firsthand contact.

Assimilation

Absorption of a minority group into the dominant culture, losing original traits.

Integration (cultural)

Combining cultural elements so they function cohesively within a society.

Socialization (cultural)

Learning social norms, roles, and values within a cultural context.

Franz Boas

German-American ‘Father of Anthropology’ (1858–1942) who promoted cultural relativism and rigorous scientific methods.

Cultural Relativism

Principle that cultures should be understood on their own terms without ethnocentric judgment.

Scientific Method (Boasian)

Anthropological approach of observation, fieldwork, data collection, hypothesis formation, analysis, and verification.

Fieldwork / Participant Observation

Living among a community to gain deep firsthand understanding of its culture.

Ethnocentrism

Judging another culture solely by the values of one’s own culture.

Physical Anthropology

Branch studying biological and behavioral aspects of humans, primates, and hominin ancestors.

Cultural Anthropology

Branch focused on cultural variation, social organization, beliefs, and practices of living peoples.

Archaeological Anthropology

Study of past human cultures through their material remains such as tools, pottery, and buildings.

Linguistic Anthropology

Study of how language shapes and reflects culture, identity, and social life.

Racial History

Sub-discipline examining physical differences and adaptations among human populations.

Paleontology (anthropological)

Study of fossilized human remains to trace human evolution.

Human Genetics

Study of DNA, heredity, and genetic variation in human populations.

Ethnography

In-depth descriptive study of a single culture using fieldwork and participant observation.

Ethnology

Comparative analysis of multiple cultures to identify patterns and differences.

Fossil

Biological remains of ancient humans or ancestors preserved in geological contexts.

Artifact

Man-made object from the past that informs about human behavior and culture.

Lucy (Australopithecus afarensis)

3.2-million-year-old partial skeleton from Ethiopia evidencing early bipedalism.

Neanderthal

Extinct human species found in Europe and Asia with distinct skeletal traits.

Homo erectus

Early human species whose fossils show upright walking and wide migration.

Laetoli Footprints

3.6-million-year-old Tanzanian footprints demonstrating early upright locomotion.

Denisovan

Archaic human group identified from Siberian finger bone DNA.

Tabon Man

Prehistoric human remains from Palawan, once the oldest found in the Philippines.

Callao Man

Older human fossil (metatarsal) from Callao Cave, Cagayan, Philippines.

Manunggul Jar

Secondary burial jar from Palawan featuring a spirit boat motif symbolizing afterlife journey.

Agusan Gold Image

21-carat gold female deity figurine of Indian origin found in Mindanao in 1917.

Descriptive (Structural) Linguistics

Documentation of a language’s sound system, grammar, and vocabulary at a specific time.

Historical (Diachronic) Linguistics

Study of how languages and dialects evolve over time.

Ethnolinguistics

Analysis of relationships between language, culture, and thought.

Sociolinguistics

Study of social functions of language and how social factors influence speech.

Code-Switching

Alternating between languages or dialects within a conversation, e.g., Taglish.

Phonology

Branch of linguistics studying a language’s sound system.

Morphology

Study of word formation and structure.

Syntax

Rules governing sentence structure in a language.

Semantics

Study of meaning in language.

Sociology

Scientific study of society, social relationships, and institutions.

Socius

Latin root meaning “companion” or “associate.”

Auguste Comte

French philosopher (1798–1857) who coined ‘sociology’ and introduced positivism.

Positivism

Philosophical view that knowledge should be derived from scientific observation and empirical evidence.

Law of Three Stages

Comte’s schema of societal development: theological, metaphysical, and positive stages.

Theological Stage

Stage where phenomena are explained by supernatural forces.

Metaphysical Stage

Stage where abstract, non-scientific forces explain events.

Positive Stage

Stage where scientific reasoning and evidence explain phenomena.

Sociological Imagination

C. Wright Mills’s concept of linking personal experiences to broader social structures.

Microsociology

First-level analysis focusing on small-scale interactions and individual relationships.

Mesosociology

Second-level analysis examining social institutions and organizations bridging individual and society.

Macrosociology

Third-level analysis studying large-scale social systems and global trends.

Social Institution

Organized structure (e.g., family, education) that meets basic societal needs and guides behavior.

Social Stratification

System of structured inequality in wealth, power, and status.

Culture (sociology)

Shared beliefs, values, norms, language, and symbols of a society.

Social Change (sociology)

Transformation of societal structures and cultural patterns over time.

Social Problems

Issues like crime or inequality that negatively affect large populations.

Socialization (sociology)

Process by which individuals learn societal norms, values, and roles.

Intersectionality

Framework analyzing how overlapping identities (race, gender, class) shape experiences and oppression.

Politics (Lasswell)

Study of who gets what, when, and how—essentially the distribution of power and resources.

Science (etymology)

From Latin scientia; knowledge gained through systematic study and observation.

Coercive Power

Power based on fear of punishment for non-compliance.

Reward Power

Power derived from the ability to grant benefits or rewards.

Legitimate Power

Power stemming from an official position recognized as rightful authority.

Referent Power

Power based on personal charisma or the follower’s admiration and identification.

Expert Power

Power derived from specialized knowledge or skills.

Power (general)

Ability to carry out one’s will or make others act, even against their preferences.

Authority

Institutionalized and accepted right to make decisions and enforce rules.

Charismatic Authority

Legitimacy based on a leader’s extraordinary personal qualities.

Traditional Authority

Legitimacy rooted in customs and long-standing practices.

Legal-Rational Authority

Legitimacy derived from formal rules and laws rather than personality or tradition.

Influence

Capacity to persuade others to act voluntarily without coercion.

Rule

Guideline or principle governing behavior and decision-making within a political system.

Political Science

Social science analyzing governance systems, political activities, thought, constitutions, and behavior.