Anthropology Review Sheet 1 Flashcards
Paleoanthropology
The study of human background (fossils and genetics)
Archaeology
The study of material culture-objects we make, use and give value to
Cultural Anthropology
The study of living, developing cultures Culture is fascinating and frustrating why? 1). Complex 2). Always changing 3). Invisible
Culture
A set of learned behaviors and beliefs that humans use to create social networks
Social Networks
Our complex matrix of relationships
FOMO
Fear of missing out
Three fundamental Q’s
1) What are our origins?
2) How do we explain human behavior?
3) How will the decisions we make today impact who we are tomorrow?
What kind of behavior was most responsible for human survival?
Cooperation
Dynamic culture
They change at different rates depending on values, changing constantly
The Great Paradox of Culture
Culture limits our choices while at the same time allows us to become fully human
4 Contributions made by Culture
1) Foundation of social identity-what makes you you?
2) Goals to pursue
3) Explanations of reality
4) The meaning of life, what makes life worth living
Enculturation and purpose
The process of learning the appropriate beliefs and behaviors of a culture
Purpose- to reproduce culture
3 Main ways we are encultured
- Ethics
- Laws and Customs
- Symbolic Communication
Sanctions
Punishment for violations of behavior
External Sanctions
Taking something away
ex being taken out of a group
Internal Sanctions
Something that comes from the inside that isolates you from people
The core value of a culture
TRUTH
Reflexivity
Asking why we believe what we believe
Cultural Relativism
Being understanding and looking at the world through different eyes
Ethnocentrism
Disliking other cultures because of your beliefs
Symbolic Communication
and ways it contributed to human survival
Abstract representation of reality used to explain or control the world
- remember the past
- control the present
- plan for the future
- recognize patterns in nature
3 Main forms of Symbolic Communication
1) . Language
2) . Gestures
3) . Objects
Explicit Symbols
One accepted meaning
Non Controversial
ex peace signs
Implicit Symbols
Different meanings
Very controversial
Swastika
- Ancient symbol for good luck
- 1930’s Germany Nazi’s
- Symbolizes hate, racism, murder
Southern Culture
Confederate flag, justify it by calling it a southern thing
Outlaw Culture
free, independent people, use confederate flag to represent their values
Fieldwork
Firsthand gathering of information
4 themes of Cultural Analysis
1) Adaptation and change
2) Similarities and differences
3) Specificity and holism
4) Connect local, regional, global
Culture Shock
Feeling out of place
Participant Observation
Becoming a member of the group
Critical Phases in American Anthropology
- 1970’s
- 20th Century
- Informants
- Ethnographic Present
- Power
Applied Anthropology
Fieldwork projects that benefit those who you are working with
Collaborative Anthropology
Fieldwork projects in partnership with the people you work with
Nature
Determined by our genes, gender, ethnicity, nationality. In order to be a successful person, we must follow this predetermined nature
Evolutionary Directives
Genetics are driven by our evolution and origins
Limited Options
Creating laws telling us what we can’t do
Sociobiology
The study of social behavior in people
Nurture
Ability to make choices
Gives humans the ability to determine the behaviors appropriate to their values
Same Gender Marriage
Challenging the assumption that nature determined that there is one kind of relationship and that is between a man and a woman
One Species
We are more similar than different
How Are Humans Unique Article
- Human children perform better at social tests that have to do with communicating and reading emotions
- Best way to get people to work together is by identifying an enemy, have “them” threaten you
- Solution- find different ways to name a group
High Population Density Article
- High population leads to culture explosions
- Degree of skill they maintained depended on ideal population density
- Human behavior-technological and culture
- body decoration
- hunting tools
- languages
Meat Eating Article
- Argues that Americans use dietary preferences to mark social similarities and differences
- meat is manly
- better meat is more expensive and cheap meat is cheap
- better people can afford better meat
- increase in vegetarianism
Mask Article
- How to be responsible but friendly while wearing a mask
- Missing major communication piece
