IBSCA terms for Kinship unit

ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

ethnography

The systematic study and detailed description of people and cultures based on fieldwork.

cultural relativism

The practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of another culture.

etic

An outsider's perspective on a cultural phenomenon.

emic

An insider's perspective on a cultural phenomenon.

holism

The approach of studying cultures as interconnected systems.

cultural diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

cultural adaptation

The process by which individuals or groups adjust to new cultures.

cultural universals

Elements, patterns, traits, or institutions that are common to all human cultures.

subculture

A cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture.

enculturation

The process by which individuals learn their culture.

assimilation

The process by which individuals or groups adopt the culture of another group.

pluralism

A condition or system in which multiple distinct ethnic, religious, or cultural groups coexist.

small-scale societies

Communities that are generally less complex and smaller in size.

clan

A group of related families that usually shares a common ancestor.

band

A small, flexible group of people, often nomadic, that acts cooperatively.

tribe

A social group comprising numerous families or clans that share a common ancestry.

chiefdom

A political organization based on kinship and often led by a chief.

state

A political entity with a centralized government, defined territory, and sovereignty.

nation

A large group of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language.

social control

Mechanisms, strategies, and institutions aimed at regulating individual behavior.

social norms

Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members.

social deviance

Behavior that violates social norms.

sanctions

Consequences applied to reinforce social norms.

socialization

The process through which individuals learn and internalize the values and norms of their culture.

age grade

A system of social organization that groups individuals by their age.

social differentiation

The process by which different social roles develop in a society.

caste

A social class or group in Hindu society, stratified and often hereditary.

social rank

The position or status of an individual within a social hierarchy.

social status

The social standing or prestige of an individual or group.

egalitarian societies

Societies characterized by the absence of hierarchical differences.

moot

A discussion or debate, often used in legal contexts to talk about cases not having practical significance.

shame

A painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.

rites of solidarity

Ceremonies that unite members of a community and reinforce social bonds.

rite of passage

A ceremony marking an important stage in someone's life, such as birth, puberty, marriage, and death.

separation

The first stage in a rite of passage where the individual is removed from their previous status.

transition/liminality

A phase in a rite of passage characterized by ambiguity and transition into a different state.

incorporation/reintegration

The final stage in a rite of passage where the individual is reintroduced into society with a new status.

kinship

The network of relationships that form an important part of the social structure.

endogamy

The practice of marrying within a specific social group.

exogamy

The practice of marrying outside of a specific social group.

affines

Relatives by marriage.

matrilineal

A social system in which lineage is traced through the mother's family.

patrilineal

A social system in which lineage is traced through the father's family.

fictive kinship

Social ties that are based on personal relationships rather than biological relationships.

affinal kin

Relatives acquired through marriage.

consanguineal kin

Relatives by blood.

patrilocal

A residence pattern in which a married couple lives with or near the husband's family.

matrilocal

A residence pattern in which a married couple lives with or near the wife's family.

matriarchy

A social system in which women hold primary power.

unilineal

Descent traced through one line, either maternal or paternal.

ambilineal

Descent that permits individuals to choose between patrilineal or matrilineal affiliation.

bilateral

Descent traced through both maternal and paternal lines.

clans

Groups of families that are believed to be descended from a common ancestor.

kindred

A group of relatives that may include extended family.

acephalous society

A society without a formal political leader or ruling head.

food collecting society/hunting & gathering

Societies that rely on foraging for food, rather than agriculture.

swidden/shifting cultivation/slash and burn horticulturalists

Agricultural practices that involve rotating fields and clearing land by burning.

pastoralists

People who rely primarily on the domestication and herding of animals for their livelihood.

agriculture

The practice of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.

industrialization

The process of developing industries in a country or region.

carrying capacity

The maximum population size that an environment can sustain.

nomadism

A lifestyle involving the movement from one place to another, often in search of food.

transhumance

Seasonal movement of people with their livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures.

production

The process of creating goods and services.

exchange

The act of trading goods and services.

division of labor

The assignment of different tasks to different individuals or groups.

balanced reciprocity

A type of exchange where goods and services are given with the expectation of a similar return.

generalized reciprocity

A form of exchange where returns are not expected immediately.

redistribution

The allocation of resources in a community, typically through a central authority.

bridewealth

A transfer of goods from the family of the groom to the family of the bride.

potlatch

A ceremonial feast among Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, involving gift-giving.

tribute

Payments made by one state or ruler to another as a sign of submission or allegiance.

big man society

A form of political organization relying on charismatic leaders known as 'big men'.

globalization

The process by which businesses or organizations develop international influence.

religion

A system of beliefs and practices regarding the sacred and the supernatural.

animism

The belief that objects, places, and creatures possess a spiritual essence.

polytheism

The worship of or belief in multiple deities.

monotheism

The belief in a single all-powerful God.

shamanism

A practice involving a practitioner, the shaman, who engages with the spirit world.

supernatural belief

Beliefs about phenomena that transcend the natural world.

magic

The practice of using rituals, symbols, and actions to influence events.

taboo

A social or cultural prohibition against certain practices or discussions.

fetish

An object that is believed to have magical powers.

ritual

A series of actions performed according to a prescribed order.

globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of societies and cultures across the world.

tourism

The business of providing services to people who are traveling.

diaspora

The dispersion of any people from their original homeland.

cult

A religious or social group with deviant beliefs or practices.

myth

A traditional story that explains the beliefs or practices of a culture.