Day 2: What is Anthropology? Flashcards
Define
Anthropology
The study of people, their origins, development, & contemporary variations
Considers people all over the world; people as biological animals & cultural creatues; considers people from all points in time
List
4 Major Fields/Branches
(Technically 5 since new one is being added, but concepts mentions 4)
Archaeology, Physical/Biological, Linguistic, Cultural/Social
Applied ANTH the added branch/field
Also note there are many sub-fields like feminist, forensic, political, etc.
Define
Holism
Studying cultures by looking at all parts of the system & how those parts are interrelated
Economics, religion, kinship, art, etc.
Define/List
Cultures & its 6 Characteristics
1: Learn throught enculturation
2: Constant Change
3: Choice & Agency (humans not bound by culture)
4: Symbolic nature
5: Distinction from other animals
6: Interrelation with Biology
Define
Cultural Universals
Culture traits found in all societies across the world
Communication, education, economics, marriage & family, etc.
Define
Cultural Norms
What is appropriate vs. inappropriate behaviour; dif b/w cultures
Washing hands after using washroom, not haggling in grocery store, lining up for bus
Define
Enculturation
4 Types
Learning & internalizing rules, values, & expectations of 1’s culture
Formal (explicit instuctions to learn), informal (learned indirectly), consious, unconsious
Define
Cultural Diffusion
Spreading of a cultural trait from one society to another
Beauty standards, foods, tech, etc
Define
Acculturation
Process by which an indiv/group adopts practices & values of 1 culture while still retaining their own culture of origin
Define
Ethnocentrism
Believing 1 groups beliefs/practices are superior; have contempt to other groups
Define
Cultural Relativism
Cultural traits are best understood when viewed within cultural context they’re apart of
Understanding instead of making judgements
Ex. Neck rings worn by kayans of Burma & Thailand
Define
Ethnography
Anthropological act & description of a particular contemporary culture by means of direct field work
Define
Ethnology
The comparative study of cultural differences & similarities
Blackfoot vs. Maasai vs. Quechua vs. Fulani vs. Maya
Define
Emic
Use concepts & categories that’re relevant & meaningful to culture under analysis
Insiders viewpoint
Is often critiqued, know dif from etic
Define
Etic
Use concepts & categories of the ANTH’s culture to describe another culture
Outsiders POV
Define
Objective
Persuit of truth independent from bias
Compare to subjectivity
Define
Subjectivity
Quality of being based on/influenced by personal feelings
Compare to objectivity
Define
Culture Shock
Being disoriented when experiencing new culture
Define
Positionality
Social & political centext that creates your identity
How ur identity influences and can bias ur understanding of the world
Define
Intersectionality
Framework for understanding how a person’s social & political identities combine to create modes of discrimination and priviledge
(Includes age, ability, belief, gender, race, etc)
Define
Reflexivity
State of thinking & being, reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, judgements, assumptions, & actions
Part of reflexive ethnography: Focus on interaction b/w themself & collaborator
Define
Biological ANTH
Study of human origin, evo, variation, etc
Define
Archaeology
Study of material past using excavation
Define
Linguistic ANTH
Study of human languages
