Anthropology Notes

Anthropologists study past and present cultures to understand social change.
Culture is defined as shared symbols, values, beliefs, and behaviors within a society.
Participant observation involves living within a culture to gather firsthand information.
Change in cultural groups can be gradual and either beneficial or not.
Internal factors of change include inventions.
External factors of change include diffusion and acculturation.
- Diffusion: spread of cultural traits between societies via social contact.
- Acculturation: exchange of ideas between cultures, leading to adaptations.

Functionalism: societal problems arise from unmet needs; social structures provide stability.
- Society relies on social structures and institutions to meet the needs of its members.
- Change is slow and orderly.
Cultural Materialism: the environment's physical and economic conditions shape a culture's ideology.
- Framework includes infrastructure, structure, and superstructure.
- Infrastructure: technological, economic, and demographic factors.
- Structure: organization of culture such as political systems and laws.
- Superstructure: ideology of a culture including beliefs and values.

Rites of passage mark transitions from one status to another.
Body modification, like tattoos, has a long history and signifies cultural beliefs.
Pe'a in Samoa: elaborate tattoo marking transition to adulthood, signifying responsibility.
Unlike Samoan culture, tattoos in North America have been traditionally viewed negatively but are becoming accepted as self-expression.
Some professionals link body adornments to mental health issues.