Anthropology Flashcards
define anthropology
the study of human origins and culture overtime
define culture
a shared understanding of beliefs, behaviors, artifacts, and norms within a group of people (influential)
A functionalist
every person/job has a role in a running society (the gears of a running machine)
creator of functionalism
BRONISLAW MALINOWKSI
creator of cultural materialism
Karl Manx
creator of cultural relavitism
Franz Boas
list examples of visible culture
art, food, clothing, architecture, artifacts
list examples of invisible culture
religion, folklore, traditions, gender roles, taboos, beliefs, language
cultural traits
invisible and visible aspects of a culture
define an artifact (cultural trait)
what a culture has: tangible objects or artifacts produced by the culture
define a sociofact
what a culture does: how it organizes itself into groups. ex. religion groups, educational system, government, family
define a mentifact
what a culture does: beliefs, religion, MEASURES OF SUCCESS/ELITES, ideologies
cultural taboos
activities deeply frowned upon by a culture. ex. murder, abuse, tattoos, cannibalism
define ethnocentrism
the belief that one’s culture is superior to another
define environmental determinism
resources in an environment determine culture. ex. Canada has a lot of snow thus snowboarding is common.
define cultural hearth
where culture originates and it radiates to the surrounding cultures
define cultural realms
cultures of the same area in the world will be similar. Ex. Indic: relating subcontinents of India:
define subculture
smaller cultures aside from mainstream culture. (can become mainstream)
define counterculture
cultures that oppose against mainstream culture. (can become mainstream)
define mainstream culture
the culture that lines with society’s values and beliefs
difference between subculture and mainstream culture
mainstream culture tends hold more social power and influence.
define high culture
behavior deemed as SUPERIOR
define low culture
common behaviors amongst common people
define multiculturalism
for a country or area to be diverse. ex. Canada’s law makes it so that Canada MUST be diverse
define cultural lag
certain parts of a place to adapt to new cultures faster than others. ex. new cultures of urban cities may not so quickly be present in rural areas
define cultural diffusion
for cultures to spread to different parts of the world. ex. sushi, boba, anime,
ethnographies
collects data mostly revolving around race and ethnicity. Most methods involve participant observation.
participant observation
to collect data by observing a society system by living within it
decolonizing research
revolves around mostly decolonization of indigenous communities. Less intense than ethnographies.
semi-structured interviews
open-ended interview questions. Provides a more pure and truthful answer
archeological extravasations
dig up bones and artifacts that reveal information of history
oral history
to pass down information through story telling and tongue. Can be miscommunicated.
define kinship
a relationship between two or more people (blood, marriage, adoption)
define marriage
the bonding of one or more persons in an intimate relationship, and in some places comes with legally binding
the difference between kinship and marriage
a kinship is a relationship in general whether its by blood, romantically, or legally. Marriage is the relationship of two or more romantic partners.
familial influence
the status, expectations, and life of your family can influence your behaviors, expectations and life.
how does marriage tie with anthropology
marriage is common in almost every single part of the world because it is easier to care for children that way. Marriage bonds two separate families and also kingdoms/empires.
monogamous marriage
to only marry one partner at a time
polygynous marriages
for a man to marry one or more women at a time. A sign of wealth since you are rich enough to afford all the women.
polyandrous marriages
for a woman to marry one or more men at a time (man + his brothers). population control.
religion
the belief of a god or creator that explains our purpose of life. Sacred and spiritual
Abrahamic religion
religions that worship a god named Abraham. Christianity, Islam, Judaism
three biggest religions
christianity, Hinduism, judaism
moral behaviors
expectations of the followers. ex. the ten commandants (abrahamic), nobal eightfold path (Buddhism)
monotheism
believes in one god
polytheism
believes in more than one god
theism
believes in a god/creator but not a specific one
agmostic
unsure/indifferent of religion
atheist
does not believe in a god
define evolution
the change in traits of a species. new species are formed and species extinct in the process.
mutation
the DNA changes of a species over time
natural selection
strong traits survive and weak traits get bred off. if ure weak then u wont get laid
dating artifacts
finding the dates of a historical artifact
relative dating
dating an artifact by comparing its age to another (no specific dates)
chronometric dating
breaking an artifact down chemically to determine its age
homologous structure
the human skeletal structure
traits of primates 40 mil years ago
small, lived in the tropical forest
traits of primates 25 mil years ago
first ape like, woodlands
traits of primates 15 mil years ago
similar to modern apes
traits of primates 8 mil years ago
split into gorillas , chimps/humans
australopithecines
bipedal, split into chimps and monkeys
homo habilis
handy man, larger brains, smaller face+teeth
homo erectus
first to use fire, advanced stone tools
homo sapien
tools, weapons, clothing, jewelry, art
neanderthals
advanced tools, hunting, shelter, clothing, belief in after life
homo sapien sapiens
modern humans
