Intro to Anthropology

Question 1

Anthropology

Answer 1

The study of humankind.

Question 2

Physical Anthropology

Answer 2

Aims to find out where humans as a species come from, how our bodies have evolved, and what makes humans unique.

Question 3

Paleoanthropology

Answer 3

Study of bone and stone remains of our ancient ancestors from millions of years ago.

Question 4

Cultural Anthropology:

Answer 4

Study both past and present cultures.

Question 5

Human Variation

Answer 5

Study of physical differences and similarities of existing human populations,

Question 6

Forensic anthropology

Answer 6

Study of and ability to help legal agencies identify human remains after natural disasters, homicide, architectural disasters, etc.

Question 7

Primatology

Answer 7

Study of primates.

Question 8

Social anthropology (ethnology)

Answer 8

Study of the origins and cultures of different races and peoples.

Question 9

Archeology

Answer 9

The study of ancient artifacts (often uncovered from the earth) that give clues about culture.

Question 10

Linguistic anthropology

Answer 10

Study of the history and structure of language and the ways humans use language

Question 11

Historical linguists

Answer 11

study how languages are related/have evolved from one another

Question 12

Examples of Cultural Anthropology

Answer 12

Political and legal anthropology
Humanistic anthropology
Visual anthropology

Question 13

Political and legal anthropology

Answer 13

focuses on issues of nationalism, citizenship, colonialism, and globalism.

Question 14

Humanistic anthropology

Answer 14

focuses on the personal, ethical, and political choices facing humans.

Question 15

Visual anthropology

Answer 15

looks at the visual aspects of a culture, such as art and media and how they influence humans.

Question 16

Areas of Specialization

Answer 16

• Cultural Anthropology
• Linguistic Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Physical Anthropology

Question 17

Research Methods

Answer 17

• Interviews (Unstructured, Semi-Structured and Structured)
• Participant Observation
• Physical Methods (Ex. radiometric dating
• Primatology Methods

Question 18

Unstructured

Answer 18

: between an anthropologist and an informant. Allow the researcher to test out their initial ideas and can lead to greater understanding of a topic. An interview in which questions are not prearranged.

Question 19

Unstructured pros

Answer 19

• Allow the researcher to test out initial ideas
• Allow for new directions in the research project
• Allows informants to direct the content of the interview
• Often minimal researcher bias
• Often a first step in the research project

Question 20

Unstructured cons

Answer 20

Can be time consuming

Question 21

Structured Interviews

Answer 21

se a set list of questions that do not change. Should be used when the researcher is very clear on the topic and there is other information that is easily available.

Question 22

Structured Interviews pros

Answer 22

• Structured questions so that anyone can conduct the interview
• A relationship between the researcher and the interviewee need not be established
• It can produce consistent data which can be easily compared between respondents.

Question 23

Structured Interviews cons

Answer 23

• The interviewee can only respond to the questions asked.
• no flexiblity

Question 24

Quantitative Research

Answer 24

• Closed-ended questions
• Numerical results
• ie. Surverys, Laboratory-based observation

Question 25

Qualitative Research

Answer 25

• Open-ended questions
• Descriptions and comparisons
• ie. Interviews, Naturalistic observation

Question 26

Semi-Structured

Answer 26

Used by anthropologists who stay in a community for some time. Questions are prepared in advance, but not a strict list of questions. Good if it’s your own time to talk to interviewee but can stray away. Flexible.

Question 27

Participant Observation

Answer 27

Main method to study that ethnologists use to gather info about cultures. They adapt to cultures life through stories, lifecycle, food

Question 28

Physical Methods (Ex. radiometric dating

Answer 28

Radiometric dating determines the age of an object based on how much radioactive material it has

Question 29

Primatology Methods

Answer 29

Primatology is studied in natural habitats or in labs. They either live in the habitats or to testing/observing in labs

Question 30

reflexivity

Answer 30

• reflecting on their own world views, biases, and impact on the culture they are studying
• research should be shared with other researchers to see if their interpretation are accurate

Question 31

All participants must provide…

Answer 31

informed Consent - subjects need to be informed about the purpose of the research, how the information will be used, and the confidentiality they can expect.