MIDTERM Flashcards
Define Anthropology and its four fields:
Anthropology: the holistic study of humans in the past, present and throughout the world
1) Archeology: the reconstruction of historic material
2) Biological anthro: Understanding humans through evolutionary roots of our biology
3) Cultural Anthro: focus on contemporary society and their cultures- (focuses more on cultures than society)
4) Linguistic Anthro: focuses on recovering languages of specific cultures
What is ethnography? What is ethnology? Give an example of each type of research.
Ethnography is first hand in depth study of a particular group and its culture, an example of this would be the author of gringo love doing fieldwork in Brazil. Ethnology is the study of a particular topic across various cultures using ethnographic research, an example of this would be looking at how gender roles vary cross-culturally.
What are the main research methods used by people doing ethnographic research?
qualitative research methods such as: participant observation, informal interviews, semi structured interviews, emic/etic research
What is the difference between informal, semi-structured and formal (surveys & questionnaires) interviews?
Formal interviews have pre planned closed ended questions, informal interviews have a topic without set questions, and semi structured interviews have open ended questions.
What are the key features of the anthropological approach to the study of gender?
1) no universal gender
2) stop trying to “save” women
3) culture is dynamic and not bounded
4) dialectic of structures and agency
5) accepting different types of feminism
6) don’t impose western values (including LGBTQ activism)
7) let people speak for themselves
8) Consider context (economic, political, cultural).
What do anthropologists mean by consultants? What role do they play in ethnographic research?
Consultants are members of the group being studied who assist anthropologists with their research by giving an insider emic perspectives.
Note * consultants and collaborators are different*
Collaborators are the one’s making decisions with the researcher and assist by determining what is acceptable to document throughout the research process.
Why did some anthropologists start to question the way people and their cultures were being represented in ethnographic research? What was the solution?
There have been questions of objectivity. Data was presented as fact and was full of bias, and there was no female representation The solution was reflexive ethnography, which focuses on intersubjectivity. It involves reflecting on how you know what you know and analyzing your own positionality.
What are reflexive ethnography and intersubjectivity?
reflexive ethnography is reflecting on how you know what you know and analyzing your own positionality.
Intersubjectivity involves collaboration and shared public knowledge.
» double checking with the individuals who you are studying that you correctly understood what is happening, and refining your understanding until they agree with it completely.
Define and give an examples of gender roles, norms and ideologies.
Gender ideology refers to the collective set of beliefs about the appropriate roles, rights, and responsibilities of men and women in society.
Gender roles- Gender responsibility/expectations- playing a role as a mother or a father
Gender norms- Things influenced by culture. Expected behaviour- How he or she should act according to their gender.
What is the difference between enculturation and socialization? Can you think of an example that illustrates both processes?
Enculturation is the process of acquiring culture & learning to be a proficient member of society.
Socialization is the learning of norms values & perceptions as well as social roles we are expected to play in life.
Going to school, making and hanging out with friends, and going to church would all be examples that illustrate both of these concepts.
According to Kuakkanen, what is the problem with mainstream feminism?
Mainstream feminism doesn’t take into consideration the importance/aspects of feminism outside of a western view. Mainstream feminism also doesn’t take into consideration intersectionality. Example indigenous feminism ideologies, Black feminism ideologies.
What is the difference between gender identity and gender expression?
Gender Identity- is who one is in terms of gender. It is a persons internal identity of either masculine or feminine or a combination of thereof.
Gender expression- Gender performance= gender expression./ how you express your gender. (Hyper, Fem, androgenous, masculine.
How do those using interactionist theories explain gender norms and roles?
They explain gender as an ongoing process created through interactions with others.
They focus on gender as something we are actively engaged with that is constantly created, contested and recreated.
They explain that gender is formed through interaction and focus on the ongoing process of gender within specific contexts/situations/social roles.
What do interactionist theorists mean by performance? What would be an example of gender performance?
Gender performance is the idea that gender is something inscribed in daily practices, learned and performed based on cultural norms of femininity and masculinity.
What are social institutions?
Social institutions are structures or mechanisms of social order governing the behaviour of individuals such as family, government, education, religion, media, or work.
What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?
deductive reasoning) starts with a theory and through that frames a hypothesis. They then observe the behaviour and come to a conclusion (theory > hypothesis >observation > confirmation).
Inductive reasoning starts with an observation then finds a pattern and through that creates a hypothesis and theory. (Observation> pattern> hypothesis> theory).
What is the structure versus agency dichotomy?
Agency is the capacity for individuals to have the power and resources to fulfill their potential.
Structures are the factors of influence such as social class, religion, gender, ethnicity, ability, customs, etc. that determine or limit agency.
describe the fa’fafine
AMAB (assigned male at birth)- fem expression
Adopt women’s roles- caring for elders & ceremonial tasks
Tension today w/ those who don’t adhere to expected roles
Change to the economy and household structure influential factors such as workforce
Roles held by fa’afafine have changed to be more urban, society questions fa’afafine roles today
Homophobia is an increasing issue due to changes in religious beliefs
Sexually attracted to men, most don’t identify as gay
The third gender is not gender nonconformity, acting within the third gender
describe fa’afatama
AFAB (assigned female at birth)- masc expression
Less recognition and acceptance in contemporary Samoan society
How do those using individual level theories explain gender norms and roles?
Gender norms- Those attitudes that are normal according to your gender. such as body posture, tone of voice, wardrobe.
Gender roles- Roles that we take on according to our gender such as being a mom or a dad.
describe kathoey
AMAB- fem expression
In Thailand
Highly visible (esp beauty pageants) but some stigma (particularly among upper class)
Beauty pageants big part of tourism industry
Traditionally meant intersex
Seen to be pre ordained- not a choice, born kathoey
Acceptance of kathoey exaggerated by western media, they still experience stigma and discrimination
Kothoey cenceptualized as “genuine”(intersex) or “false”(men who dress/act like women and have sex with men)
Class is a factor in people’s perception of kathoey
“Ladyboy” current term used by many urban kathoey
Has had a lot of research compared to other genders,
Looking at gay identities in contrast to kathoey
(hypermasc gay individuals to contrast themselves to kathoey)
describe muxe
AMAB(assigned male at birth)- fem expression
Oaxaca, Mexico
Comes from Zapotec, indigenous culture in Mexico
Often wear traditional dress or contemporary clothing
Often work feminine occupations such as hairdressing or beauty
Traditionally artistic
Help with home and family care traditionally
Many families see muxe child as a blessing ^
Conservative families would not be accepting of muxe
Variation of muxe identity along lines of class, education, and religion
Mothers tend to be more accepting of muxe
Why are femininity and masculinity now pluralized in gender studies?
They are pluralized now as there are so many different femininities and masculinities across different cultures.
describe burrnesha
AFAB(assigned female at birth)- masc expression
Albania
Documentation since the 1800s, well established third gender
Sworn virgins- take a vow to chastity through a religious ceremony
Only accepted if sworn to virginity, breaking this has severe consequence
No bio children but can adopt
Take on men’s roles
cis Men are the only ones to inherit in Albanian culture
Burrnesha are NOT allowed to inherit
Adoption used to acquire a gender that is missing in a family
What is the meaning of transgender? Why do anthropologists think it is important not to assume transgender can be equated with third genders in non-western countries?
The term transgender describes a contemporary gender category that is a gender identity different from assigned gender at birth. The term is Globalizing through LGBTQ activism and is not associated with a specific social or economic roles.
Third genders often have their own role and are not conforming to gender,
transgender individuals would take on the role of the gender they identify as and are still conforming to a gender, therefore the two should not be equated.
