Anthro

Question 1

What is Anthro

Answer 1

• Scientific study of the origin, the behaviour, & the physical, social & cultural development of humans.
• How people live (now vs then), how humanity began and adapted, What we believe, past/present cultures
• What makes humans human?
• Two types: Physical & Cultural

Question 2

Hominids: Ardipithecus ramidus

Answer 2

Ground Ape Root

Question 3

Hominids: Homo habilis

Answer 3

Man Handy

Question 4

Hominids: Homo erectus

Answer 4

Man upright

Question 5

Natural Selection

Answer 5

Charles Darwin theory of natural selection:
Came up with theory to account for the differences he observed between living & human & apes; who he theorized were our ancestors.

Question 6

Types of Marriages: Monogamy

Answer 6

individual has one partner

Question 7

Types of Marriages: Polygamy

Answer 7

involves multiple partners
Polygyny: one husband & multiple wives
Polyandry: one wife & multiple husbands

Question 8

Types of Marriages: Arranged marriage

Answer 8

set up by someone other than the people getting married

Question 9

Frank Boas & Cultural Relativism

Answer 9

• An anthropologist cannot compare two cultures because each culture has its own internal rules that must be accepted
• Everyone sees culture through the lens of their own culture
• Boas argues that anthropologists should seek to understand cultures on their own terms and to avoid snap judgements about other practices.
• Seeks to oppose ethnocentrism, which assumes European culture is superior to all others (response to colonialism).

Question 10

Van Gennep’s Rites of passage

Answer 10

Rite of Passage: ceremony, ritual or event that marks an individual’s passage from one stage of life to another

Question 11

Van Gennep’s Rites of passage : Male

Answer 11

More common
More physical & emotional hardship
Involves scarification, beatings, fastings, etc

Question 12

Van Gennep’s Rites of passage: Women

Answer 12

Tend to revolve around menstruation, as they are seen to be ready for marriage & child bearing
Relates to being a wife or mother

Question 13

Van Gennep’s Rites of passage Step 1

Answer 13

Segregation: Segregated from the rest of society and original status
Geographic or physical change (body, paint, clothing)

Question 14

Van Gennep’s Rites of passage Step 2

Answer 14

Transition (aka liminal stage):
Can last a few hours, days, or months where the person is becoming their new self.
May learn from a mentor or seek guidance.

Question 15

Van Gennep’s Rites of passage Step 3

Answer 15

Incorporation (aka reintegration):
Individuals are reintegrated into society with their new role.
Can be marked by tattoos, paint or new clothing
Signifies that something has ended & something has begun

Question 16

Cultural Materialism

Answer 16

Theorist: Marvin Harris
- Theory states that the materials or conditions within the environment (climate, food, technology, supply, geography) influence how a culture develops, creating the ideas and ideologies of a culture
- Society develops on a trial-and-error basis - if something is not of value to a society (ability to produce or reproduce), then it will disappear from society
- Institutions such as law, government, and religion must be beneficial to society or will no longer exist