Chapter 1 Flashcards
xWhat is anthropology
Integrated study of human nature, human society, and human history
What does anthropology study?
Similarities and differences by looking at human adaptability.
What does Kluckhohn say about what anthropology is?
“Anthropology is the study of human similarities and differences”
What is Archaeology
Describes past human behaviours and cultural patterns by examining material remains
What are the major areas of Archaeology?
Prehistoric, Historic, old world, new world, underwater
What is Physical/Biological Anthropology?
Study of life, past and present.
What is the connection between archaeology and physical anthropology?
Understandings of how human life originated.
What are the key areas of research in physical anthropology
Biological plasticity, genetics, growth, evolution, diseases
What are the subfields of physical anthopology?
Primatology, Paleoanthropology, Morphology
Who were the key figures in early anthropology?
Herodotus, Marco Polo, Ibn Khaldun
What did Montesquieu say
“Cultural differences are shaped by different climates’
What are the three significant roles of colonial in shaping anthropology?
Collaboration with colonial government, colonial processes with far reaching and diverse ramifications studied, colonial and cultural forces as areas of study.
Who were the two primary figures in Canadian anthropology? What are they known for?
Daniel Wilson (1816-1892) studied Indigenous people in Canada, claimed they were an example of prehistoric culture.
Thomas Mcllwraith (1899-1964) founded the first anthropology department in 1936 at the UofT.
What was the Unilineal Evolutionary School?
School that was influenced by Charles Darwin, twisted it to say that cultures also represent the same survival of the fittest, and that different societies are at different stages of evolution. (social darwinism)
Who were the key figures of Unilineal?
Sir Edward Tylor and Sir James Frazer (UK), Lewis Henry Morgan (US).
What did Franz Boas believe?
He believed in cultural relativism and historical particularism; culture should be studied in its own context, each culture has unique history must be considered and researched in that context, culture can be shared, no hierarchy of societies.
What is Functionalism?
Each aspect of a culture has a role to play in the entire culture (like an organ in a body), and without it the culture would not be maintained.
What is Holism?
Looking at one aspect of culture in relation to all aspects.
What is structural functionalism and who created the idea?
Social forms function regularly to maintain traditional structures (ex. Patriarchy). Created by A.R. Radcliffe Brown.
What did Mead study?
She took from Boas’ idea and incorporated children and their development. She was against biological determinism and said that adolescence varied because of cultural variation.
What is Cultural Ecology?
Ecology shapes culture, but culture also shapes how people adapt to their environments.
Key figures of cultural ecology.
Julian Steward and Roy Rappaport.
What was Karl Marx’s theory of societal structure?
Economy was the base of society, above that were superstructures (religion, education, culture, family, government).
What was Marvin Harris’ theory of societal structure?
Universal Pattern: Ecology was the base of society (habitat, population, economy, technology), the social structure (political system, family), then ideology (religion, values, knowledge).
What is cultural materialism?
Theoretical approach that says that our material lives shape our culture.
What does Cultural materialism say the key function of a culture is?
Ensure material existence of life.
What does Claude Levi-Strauss say?
To understand a culture, analyze their myths, stories, tales, etc…
What is interpretive anthropology?
Understand culture though interpreting people’s thoughts and feelings.
What is symbolic anthropology?
A culture can be understood by understanding their symbols.
Who is the key figure of interpretive anthropology?
Clifford Geetz
What are the three contemporary debates?
Interpretive anthropology vs. cultural materialism, agency vs structure, biological determinism vs cultural constructivism.
What is a microculture?
A distinct pattern of learned and shared behavior and thinking found within a larger culture.
What is cultural anthropology?
Field that focuses on the study of contemporary human culture, patterned and learned ways of behaving and thinking.
What are some characteristics of culture?
Adaptive, learned, shared, symbolic, gives meaning to reality, creates gender, integrated.
Five basic elements of spread of culture
Transmission
Memory
Reiteration
Innovation
Selection
What are the key forces in culture changes?
Colonialism, Religious conversion, capitalism, technological advancement, globalization
Who was an evolutional theorist?
Edward Tylor
Who was a functionalist?
Malinowski
Who was a structural functionalist?
A.R. Radcliffe Brown
What is cultural particularism and who is behind it?
Franz Boas. Cultures should not be compared but viewed in their own contexts.
