Chapter 1: What is Anthropology? Flashcards
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humankind. In two major ways, it differs from other sciences that study humankind. First, anthropology views humans as both biological and cultural beings. Second, anthropology emphasizes a holistic, comparative approach, encompassing all people at all times and all places.
What are the 4 branches of anthropology?
- Cultural anthropology (study of living cultures),
- Archaeology (study of past cultures),
- Linguistic anthropology (study of language),
- Biological anthropology.
Biological anthropology
The study of human biology, specifically evolution and variation of humans
What are the six physical/behavioral traits unique to humans?
- Bipedalism
- Nonhoning chewing
- Complex material culture
- Hunting
- Speech
- Dependence on domesticated foods
How do biological anthropologists know what they know?
They use the scientific method and formulate hypotheses.
Anatomical
Pertaining to an organism’s physical structure
Arboreal
Tree-dwelling
Archaeology
Study of historic or prehistoric human populations through analysis of material remains
Artifacts
Material objects from past cultures
Autolysis
“Self-digestion” in which the high-carbon-dioxide environment within a decomposing body results in the breakdown of the cells of the body
Bioarchaeology
Study of human skeletal remains
Biocultural approach
Interrelationship between genetics and culture
Bipedalism
Walking on two feet
Culture
Learned behavior transmitted between people
Data
Evidence gathered to help answer questions
Empirical
Verified through observation and experiment
Forensic anthropology
Scientific examination of skeletons in hope of identifying who they belonged to
Genome
Complete set of genetic information (chromosomes and DNA) for an organism or species that represents all the inheritable traits
Hominins
Human(like) ancestors
Hypotheses
Testable statements that potentially explain observed phenomena
Linguistic anthropology
Study of the construction, use, and form of language in human populations
Material culture
The part of culture expressed as objects used by humans to manipulate environments
Morphology
Physical shape and appearance
Nonhoning canine
Upper canine that is not sharpened against the lower third premolar
Physical anthropology
Another name for Bio. anthro.
Primates
The group of mammals that have complex behavior, varied forms of locomotion, large brains, forward-facing eyes, fingernails, and reduced snouts
Putrefaction
Breakdown of dead tissues that results from activity of microorganisms, especially bacteria
Scientific law
Statement of fact describing natural phenomena
Scientific method
Data is gathered from observations, hypotheses are made and tested, conclusions are drawn to validate or modify the original hypothesis
Social learning
The ability to learn from other humans, enabling the accumulation of knowledge across generations
Sociolinguistics
The science of investigating language’s social contexts
Terrestrial
Land-dwelling
Theory
A set of rigorously tested and validated hypotheses leads to the establishment of a generally accepted explanation
Franz Boas
Founder of Americ anthropology
Physics PhD
Post-doc work Inuit of Baffin Island, CA
Promoted the four-field approach through
AAA and AAPA
Cranial measurements of 18k immigrants
Europe - smaller heads
USA - bigger, different shape
Heavy influence of nutrition and stress
Aleš Hrdlička
Started the professional scientific journal & professional society for anthropology
Earnest Hootman
Trained most of the first generation of US anthropologists
