Anthropology

Question 1

Anthropology

Answer 1

Study of human culture and its development, and compares different cultures.

Question 2

Methods of Study

Answer 2

Study often occurs through direct observation of and participation in the culture being studied - “participation observation.” Also cross - cultural and comparative research.

Question 3

4 Major Areas of Study

Answer 3

Archeology: Studies materials left behind by human settlements
Social - cultural: Focuses on cultural standards, beliefs, values and norms
Biological: Studies genetic characteristics of different populations
Linguistics: Development of languages over time

Question 4

Culture

Answer 4

Refers to all learned human behaviors and behavioral patterns. Made up of cultural universals, culture, and subculture. Serves as a survival mechanism by bringing people together. Can undergo frequent and profound change as groups adapt to new technologies, knowledge, or other cultural groups.

Question 5

Cultural Universals

Answer 5

Traits shared by all human beings, such as language

Question 6

Culture

Answer 6

All traditions that define a society

Question 7

Subculture

Answer 7

Groups within a culture that share specific traits.

Question 8

Subsistence Patterns

Answer 8

Ways in which societies obtain what they need to survive. A society’s subsistence pattern is impacted by its economy, population size, political systems, and technological development. Certain patterns can support different levels of societal development.

Question 9

4 Major Subsistence Patterns

Answer 9

Foraging or Hunter - Gatherer, Pastoralism (herding), Horticulture (small scale farming), Intensive Agriculture (large scale farming)

Question 10

Religion

Answer 10

A belief system, usually involving a set of rituals to worship supernatural forces that have some affect upon daily life or the overall structure and functioning of the world around us. Provides:
- meaning and sense of explanation for life event
- emotional support
- sense of community
- sense of moral norms and motivation to follow these norms.
Increased secularization has reduced the role of religion in daily life, leading people to find other systems to fill those needs

Question 11

Margaret Mead

Answer 11

Studied sexual beliefs among South Pacific and SE Asian cultures. Her work popularized sociology. Also studied how children are treated in and how breastfeeding is viewed in different cultures. Wrote ‘Coming of Age in Samoa.’

Question 12

Mary and Louis Leakey (Olduvai Gorge)

Answer 12

Made major discoveries about the origin of the human species when they excavated artifacts in Olduvai Gorge in Africa. Mary discovered footprints of Laetoli, and developed a system to classify early humans. The couple found remains of humans 4 million years old, 15 new species, and one new genus of early humans. Their findings fundamentally changed theories about the evolution of ancient humans.