Anthropology Flashcards
What is anthropology?
the study of the lives and cultures of human beings, both alive and dead, examining how they live, think, communicate, produce, and interact with their social and physical environment.
What is ethnocentrism?
The tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one’s own culture, often leading to bias and judgment.
What is the major goal of cultural anthropology?
Cultural relativism, which is the belief that each culture is important and unique, deserving respect.
Why do Kayan women wear neck rings?
Reasons include protection from becoming slaves, enhancing attractiveness by exaggerating sexual dimorphism, resembling a dragon (important in folklore), and cultural identity associated with beauty.
What are some characteristics of culture?
Politics, economics, family, communication, recreation and leisure, war, knowledge and beliefs, and material culture.
What is ethnology?
The study of the origins and cultures of different races and peoples, including marriage customs, kinship patterns, political and economic systems, religion, art, music, and technology.
What is ethnography?
Extensive notes taken by ethnologists during participant observation, providing an in-depth description of a particular culture (a case study)
Why are ethnographies important?
They provide insight into daily life in unfamiliar environments, teach about global issues, and offer holistic, multifaceted accounts of cultural practices.
What is participant observation?
A method where researchers live and participate in the culture they study to gain in-depth cultural understanding, though it can be subjective and should be complemented with objective data.
What did Margaret Mead conclude in her study of Samoan adolescent girls?
She concluded that adolescence was a stress-free time for Samoan girls due to their sexual freedom, suggesting sex roles are determined by culture, not biology.
What is the difference between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism?
Cultural relativism is respecting and accepting other cultures, while ethnocentrism is judging other cultures by one’s own values.
Why was Margaret Mead’s study controversial?
Derek Freeman later found Samoan sexual practices to be restrictive, suggesting Mead was misled by her informants. Paul Shankman noted both anthropologists were correct for their times, as Samoan culture had changed significantly.
What did Ruth Benedict do during WWII?
She researched Japanese culture for the U.S. government to help understand and defeat the Japanese army, using cultural materials and interviews with Japanese immigrants and Japanese-Americans.
What is netnography?
A method of studying online social behaviors in digital environments, focusing on the perceived and symbolic meanings within social contexts.
What are rites of passage?
Culturally defined ceremonies, rituals, or events that mark a transition from one stage of life to another.
What are some common ceremonies to mark different stages of life in most cultures?
Birth, puberty, marriage, reproduction, old age, and death.
What are the three stages of the rites of passage process?
Separation, transition, and incorporation.
What happens during the separation stage?
The individual is removed from society to prepare for their transition, often involving geographic change and a change in physical appearance.
What occurs during the transition stage?
The individual is isolated from society to prepare for reentry in a new role, which can last from a few hours to several years.
What happens during the incorporation stage?
The individual reenters society in their new role, sometimes marked by tattoos, scars, body paint, or new clothing.
Why are rites of passage important?
They help understand growth, maintain community stability, provide entertainment, and pass on traditions and values.
What is the difference between secular and religious rites?
Secular rites are not related to religion, while religious rites are associated with belief in God or a religion.
What is gender?
A cultural construction that classifies people, often based on assigned sex, and includes a spectrum that recognizes more gender diversity.
What questions do anthropologists ask about gender?
How deeply is gender tied to cultural practices? In what ways does a person learn their gender? What are definitions and practices of gender in a particular time and place?
What is toxic masculinity?
A set of attitudes and behaviors expected of men that negatively impact men and society, such as suppressing emotions, maintaining hardness, and using violence to show power.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex is assigned at birth based on biological characteristics, while gender is a cultural classification that may or may not align with one’s sex.
What are some cultural expectations of females?
Always dress well, be feminine, thin, nurturing, and let men go first
What are gender roles?
Expectations about tasks, attitudes, and behaviors that are culturally assigned based on sex and gender.
What are some cultural expectations of males?
Be strong, bold, independent, muscular, assertive, not show weakness, and excel in sports and career success.
What is kinship?
A relationship that exists between two or more people based on genetics (ancestry), mating, or law (marriage, adoption, etc).
What are some culturally defined ideals of masculinity?
Height, musculature, amount of fat, length of head hair, and other body hair.
What are the three main purposes of dating?
Socialization, mate selection, and recreation.
What are the three types of kinship systems?
Patrilineal, matrilineal, and bilineal systems.
How has online dating changed the way people date?
Online dating has increased accessibility to potential partners, offers convenience, and can help match people based on specific criteria
What can kinship patterns determine?
Where you live, how generations are connected, how property is inherited, and who holds power in the family.
What are the different types of marriages?
Monogamy, polygamy, polygyny, polyandry, and group marriage.
What are the three major functions of marriage?
Provides for survival and socialization of children, defines rights and obligations of the couple, and creates new relationships between families.
What are some reasons for the practice of polygyny?
It can symbolize wealth/power, provide labor support, and allow for shared child-rearing responsibilities.
How is marriage changing in Canada?
More couples are choosing not to marry, having children outside of marriage, and common-law relationships are more common. Same-sex marriages and interfaith/interracial marriages are also increasing.
What is group marriage?
: Several husbands and wives form a family unit, sharing parental responsibilities and resources.
