Anthropology Flashcards
anthropology
the study of human nature, society, history
- applies wherever people are
- seeks to describe and understand human variations and society
4 subfields of anthropology
biological
archeology
linguistic
cultural
biological anthro
studies all aspects of biology, the behaviour of humans past and present
- human evolution, adaptation
Iulia Badescu
primatologist (studied living primates and relatives)
archeology
the study of the past societies and their cultures using artifacts and material remains
- dinosaur bones
cultural anthro
study contemporary cultures and societies with informants
What is culture? why is it emergent but not essential?
transmitted learned behaviour
- emergent, not essential (doesn’t exist in isolation and requires human social groups)
- what you are
- an emergent product of human communication and social interactions among people in shared space and time
informants
groups of people you spend time with and get to know
methodology
methods you use to conduct the study (interviews, questionnaires, etc.)
ethnography
an anthropologists description of an aspect of culture within a society
- report in the form of a book, article etc.
ethnology
comparing two or more cultures
linguistic
study of the construction and use of language by people
- origin of language and how it evolves
- medium by which we share and shape culture
structural linguistics
how language works, how it is structured, etc.
sociolinguistics
relationship btwn language and social behaviour in different cultures
social linguistics
language as a marker of identity
Michael Bouchard
linguistic anthropologist
- studied a french-speaking community in Alberta and how people switch from french and English to denote status
Christine Schreyer
Canadian linguistic anthropologist
- makes up fake languages for movies and shows
- studies conlangs (fake language)
Owen Beattle
an archeologist who looked at artifacts and skeletal remains
Jane Goodall
physical anthropologist (primatologist)
- studied chimp behaviour
- what kinds of behaviour are learned
Rudy Reimer/Yumks
studies use of high altitude mountain resources and obsidian trade in Squamish territory and beyond
- archeologist
applied anthropology
can include anyone from other fields of anthro, using anthropology to solve problems
forensic anthropology
excavate and identify deceased people
- goal: determine who the person was, age, sex, and how they died
- work with DNA (hard to obtain because of contamination)
paleoanthropology
study of fossil humans and our extinct ancestors
- human ancestors
- Zeresenay Alemseged
holism
all aspects of society, culture, environment
why is anthropology holistic?
you first understand how different aspects of society are interconnected
evolution
anthropologists consider change over time
humans adapt biologically and culturally
cultural evolution
learned adjustments in behaviour (fast and powerful)
biocultural perspective
we rely on culture to adapt and shape our environment
our culture and biology determine who we are
cultural relativism
each part of a culture has to be understood based on its own context and culture
-opposite to ethnocentrism
-involves understanding another society
UNDERSTAND FIRST
what do anthropologists fight against?
ethnocentrism
-the idea that one’s culture is superior or above another
culture shock
-going into another society with a different culture and experiencing a shock
hunter-gatherers
often framed as exotic/primitive
what is anthropology good for?
- Challenges Stereotypes
- recognizes and values variation in complexity - Avoid Culture Shock
- what is “normal” and “right” depends largely on culture context (relativism)
- happens when one is forced to adapt to a new culture (cultural evolution) - Solve Problems
