Chapter 1: What is Anthropology?

Question 1

Anthropology

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What are the 4 branches of anthropology?

Answer 2

1. Cultural anthropology (study of living cultures),
2. Archaeology (study of past cultures),
3. Linguistic anthropology (study of language),
4. Biological anthropology.

Question 3

Biological anthropology

Answer 3

The study of human biology, specifically evolution and variation of humans

Question 4

What are the six physical/behavioral traits unique to humans?

Answer 4

1. Bipedalism
2. Nonhoning chewing
3. Complex material culture
4. Hunting
5. Speech
6. Dependence on domesticated foods

Question 5

How do biological anthropologists know what they know?

Answer 5

They use the scientific method and formulate hypotheses.

Question 6

Anatomical

Answer 6

Pertaining to an organism’s physical structure

Question 7

Arboreal

Answer 7

Tree-dwelling

Question 8

Archaeology

Answer 8

Study of historic or prehistoric human populations through analysis of material remains

Question 9

Artifacts

Answer 9

Material objects from past cultures

Question 10

Autolysis

Answer 10

“Self-digestion” in which the high-carbon-dioxide environment within a decomposing body results in the breakdown of the cells of the body

Question 11

Bioarchaeology

Answer 11

Study of human skeletal remains

Question 12

Biocultural approach

Answer 12

Interrelationship between genetics and culture

Question 13

Bipedalism

Answer 13

Walking on two feet

Question 14

Culture

Answer 14

Learned behavior transmitted between people

Question 15

Data

Answer 15

Evidence gathered to help answer questions

Question 16

Empirical

Answer 16

Verified through observation and experiment

Question 17

Forensic anthropology

Answer 17

Scientific examination of skeletons in hope of identifying who they belonged to

Question 18

Genome

Answer 18

Complete set of genetic information (chromosomes and DNA) for an organism or species that represents all the inheritable traits

Question 19

Hominins

Answer 19

Human(like) ancestors

Question 20

Hypotheses

Answer 20

Testable statements that potentially explain observed phenomena

Question 21

Linguistic anthropology

Answer 21

Study of the construction, use, and form of language in human populations

Question 22

Material culture

Answer 22

The part of culture expressed as objects used by humans to manipulate environments

Question 23

Morphology

Answer 23

Physical shape and appearance

Question 24

Nonhoning canine

Answer 24

Upper canine that is not sharpened against the lower third premolar

Question 25

Physical anthropology

Answer 25

Another name for Bio. anthro.

Question 26

Primates

Answer 26

The group of mammals that have complex behavior, varied forms of locomotion, large brains, forward-facing eyes, fingernails, and reduced snouts

Question 27

Putrefaction

Answer 27

Breakdown of dead tissues that results from activity of microorganisms, especially bacteria

Question 28

Scientific law

Answer 28

Statement of fact describing natural phenomena

Question 29

Scientific method

Answer 29

Data is gathered from observations, hypotheses are made and tested, conclusions are drawn to validate or modify the original hypothesis

Question 30

Social learning

Answer 30

The ability to learn from other humans, enabling the accumulation of knowledge across generations

Question 31

Sociolinguistics

Answer 31

The science of investigating language’s social contexts

Question 32

Terrestrial

Answer 32

Land-dwelling

Question 33

Theory

Answer 33

A set of rigorously tested and validated hypotheses leads to the establishment of a generally accepted explanation

Question 34

Franz Boas

Answer 34

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

Question 35

Aleš Hrdlička

Answer 35

Started the professional scientific journal & professional society for anthropology

Question 36

Earnest Hootman

Answer 36

Trained most of the first generation of US anthropologists