Anthropology Basics

Question 1

What sets anthropology apart from the related fields of sociology and psychology?

Answer 1

The object of analysis: anthropologists study culture (as opposed to society or the mind). Also there is a concept of holism, which means taking a holistic view of culture. This is unique to anthropology

Question 2

How do anthropological projects differ in focus and methodology?

Answer 2

Kottak states The focus is on variation in time and space. Anthropology also has general and applied dimensions. It is also comparative.In method anthropology is different because of its use of participant observation, ethnogrpahy and long-term fieldwork.

Question 3

What are the four subfields of anthropology?

Answer 3

archaeology, biological, cultural and linguistic

Question 4

Define anthropology

Answer 4

comparative science of culture

Question 5

Define ethnography

Answer 5

a thing and a process: a first hand account of a culture/society

Question 6

Define ethnology

Answer 6

a cross-cultural examination/comparison. Ethnology refers to the method and doing some

Question 7

Are culture and society the same?

Answer 7

Kottak: Culture is unique to humans while society is cross culture. Society is a social formation, i.e. wolf packs.

Question 8

Define enculturation

Answer 8

becoming our culture, a learned behavior; a part of us ex. how close we stand on the subway

Question 9

Miner, Horace “Body Rituals Among the Nacirema”

Answer 9

This article is about American society. it shows how we judge other cultures in alot of cases. It throws in our face that we can be seen as backwards in our ways. It criticizes anthropology and the language it uses.