Final Flashcards
Give a definition of sex
reproductive biology (XY.XX)
Give a definition of intersex
Unambiguous genitals, different set of sex chromosomes (XXY)
What is gender
culturally constructed categories/meaning from perceived sex differences
how do humans use symbols to express gender
colours(pink and blue), styles of dress/hair
How do ideas of gender differ within and between cultures
- Different symbols (long hair in indigenous culture )
- gender roles differ, in some cultures women are considered better suited for heavy lifting, and some religions in the west prefer more domestic women
how do structures of power interact with gender categories
- patriarchy/matriarchy
- patrelineage/matrilineage
How do ideas about sex and sexuality vary cross-culturally
-Certain sexes are deemed dominant
- similarity the greeks were expected to explore their sexuality while modernly were not
What are kinship status and roles, what are some examples
Family roles and responsibilities/ how were expected to behave and what to do, like mother, uncle, cousin
What is a kinship system
culturally recognized ties between related people
what are some examples of kinship
- consinguinial: Relationships based on blood connections
- Affinial: relations created through affinity (marriage)
- Chosen Kin: family by choice rather than blood or kin, like adoption or close friends
Different types of descent groups
Lineage: trace direct descent to a known ancestor
Clan: belief in a common ancestor
Bilateral descent: traced through both families
Unilineal descent: traced through mother OR father
What is a family
Smallest group of people who view themselves as related, often reside together
What are some different family types
Nuclear/conjugal: parents and dependant children
Extended: at least three generations sharing a household
How do different societies trace descent relationships
- Matrilineage (through women)
- Patrilineage (through men)
What are some common features of marriage
- creates connections
- expand economic potential, transfer of resources
-symbolic practices associated with ritual
What is the incest taboo and how does it vary by culture
- Human universal (all societies/cultures have some recognition of incest and try to avoid it)
- the lines of incest are different, some cultures cousins were considered not incestuous (cross cousin marriage)
How do marriage partners decide where to live
- comes down to how descent is traced and if theres a land inheritance
- Neolocal: new location
- Patrilocal: near the grooms fathers family
- Matrilocal: near brides mothers family
- Avunculocal: near grooms mothers brother (uncle)
What are some different marriage types
Monogamy: one spouse at a time
polygamy: plural spouses
- polygyny:one man multiple wives
- polyandry:one woman multiple husbands
In what ways is marriage a social process
- creates kinship
- transform status of particiants
in what ways is marriage an economic process
- dowry: from parents of bride to the groom, compensation for taking care of the woman
- Bride wealth: groom/his family pay brides family to compensate for them loosing her labour
- Bride service: groom provides a period of labour to brides family
What is a ritual
- Repetitive symbolic social practice often involves singing, dancing, or speech
- expression of cultural ideas, marks important events
Examples of rituals
- Quinceaneras
- marriage
- graduation
- baptisim
What are the three stages of a rite of passage rituals
- seperation
- transition (liminal period)
Incorporation (return to community in a new form)
what is the purpose of rite of passage rituals
- increase status and prestige
-transformative - move individuals from one societal position to another - creates social bonds
- makes clear relationships between people
How to anthropologists define myth
- explains things the way they are
- narrative
- not objectively true or false
- what do they mean and how do they influence behavior
what do anthropologists mean by “magic”
- personally motivates, pursued for personal gain
- practices intended to use or control supernatural forces rather than go through a deity
What are some examples of magic
- Sympathetic: Like causes like, symbolic representation of subject or effect (believing a certain yellow herb can cure jaundice)
- Contagion: objects or people may transfer power or contamination through contact (crystal healing)
- Divination: predict future events (tarot)
How do religious beliefs and practices differ between religions
- polytheism vs monotheism
- different cleansing rituals and initiation rituals
What are some different types of religious practitioners
-Priests: full time ritual specialists, segregated from society
- Shamans: part time religious practitioners, offer advice and healing
How do anthropologists understand and interpret religion
Marx- justification for unjust society
Harris - codify social and economic rules
Durkheim - social cohesion (collective effervescence)
How can religion change
- political, economic, social movements
- Revitalization: deliberate, organized attempt to strengthen religion
Nativism: rejection or reform/return to “old ways”
