Anthropology

Question 1

anthropology

Answer 1

the study of human nature, society, history

• applies wherever people are
• seeks to describe and understand human variations and society

Question 2

4 subfields of anthropology

Answer 2

biological
archeology
linguistic
cultural

Question 3

biological anthro

Answer 3

studies all aspects of biology, the behaviour of humans past and present
- human evolution, adaptation

Question 4

Iulia Badescu

Answer 4

primatologist (studied living primates and relatives)

Question 5

archeology

Answer 5

the study of the past societies and their cultures using artifacts and material remains
- dinosaur bones

Question 6

cultural anthro

Answer 6

study contemporary cultures and societies with informants

Question 7

What is culture? why is it emergent but not essential?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

informants

Answer 8

groups of people you spend time with and get to know

Question 9

methodology

Answer 9

methods you use to conduct the study (interviews, questionnaires, etc.)

Question 10

ethnography

Answer 10

an anthropologists description of an aspect of culture within a society
- report in the form of a book, article etc.

Question 11

ethnology

Answer 11

comparing two or more cultures

Question 12

linguistic

Answer 12

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

Question 13

structural linguistics

Answer 13

how language works, how it is structured, etc.

Question 14

sociolinguistics

Answer 14

relationship btwn language and social behaviour in different cultures

Question 15

social linguistics

Answer 15

language as a marker of identity

Question 16

Michael Bouchard

Answer 16

linguistic anthropologist

- studied a french-speaking community in Alberta and how people switch from french and English to denote status

Question 17

Christine Schreyer

Answer 17

Canadian linguistic anthropologist

• makes up fake languages for movies and shows
• studies conlangs (fake language)

Question 18

Owen Beattle

Answer 18

an archeologist who looked at artifacts and skeletal remains

Question 19

Jane Goodall

Answer 19

physical anthropologist (primatologist)

• studied chimp behaviour
• what kinds of behaviour are learned

Question 20

Rudy Reimer/Yumks

Answer 20

studies use of high altitude mountain resources and obsidian trade in Squamish territory and beyond
- archeologist

Question 21

applied anthropology

Answer 21

can include anyone from other fields of anthro, using anthropology to solve problems

Question 22

forensic anthropology

Answer 22

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)

Question 23

paleoanthropology

Answer 23

study of fossil humans and our extinct ancestors

• human ancestors
• Zeresenay Alemseged

Question 24

holism

Answer 24

all aspects of society, culture, environment

Question 25

why is anthropology holistic?

Answer 25

you first understand how different aspects of society are interconnected

Question 26

evolution

Answer 26

anthropologists consider change over time

humans adapt biologically and culturally

Question 27

cultural evolution

Answer 27

learned adjustments in behaviour (fast and powerful)

Question 28

biocultural perspective

Answer 28

we rely on culture to adapt and shape our environment

our culture and biology determine who we are

Question 29

cultural relativism

Answer 29

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

Question 30

what do anthropologists fight against?

Answer 30

ethnocentrism

-the idea that one’s culture is superior or above another

Question 31

culture shock

Answer 31

-going into another society with a different culture and experiencing a shock

Question 32

hunter-gatherers

Answer 32

often framed as exotic/primitive

Question 33

what is anthropology good for?

Answer 33

1. Challenges Stereotypes
   - recognizes and values variation in complexity
2. 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)
3. Solve Problems