Quiz 1 Flashcards
What cultural differences were demonstrated in “Shakespeare in the Bush”?
Differences in the conception of ghosts/the afterlife (or lack thereof), marriage customs, language, and madness.
What is naive realism?
The misguided belief that one’s own cultural values are universal
truths
What did the Tiv elders think the ghost was in Hamlet?
An omen sent by a witch or a zombi
Why did the Tiv elders not understand the conflict of heredity in Hamlet?
In Tiv culture, it is customary for a husband’s brother to marry his widow, with their children becoming the brother’s children.
What to the Tiv believe are the two causes of madness?
Being bewitched or seeing beings in the forest
Are there universal human characteristics? If so, what are they?
Consider for discussion/writing.
What is anthropology?
The study of biological and cultural variation across time and space.
What are the 4 classic disciplines of anthropology?
Cultural/social: living societies and their cultures, looking at societies as integrated wholes within environmental and historical context, can be topical or geographic
Biological/physical: human origins, biological adaptations, and health
Archaeology: material remains
Linguistics: comparing languages, including verbal and non-verbal communication
What is the 5th discipline of anthropology
Applied anthropology, which uses anthropological methods to examine contemporary issues.
What is ethnography?
A method for researching and a way of writing about cultures with the data that has been collected.
Anthropology is…
Holistic, comparative, and global
What is ethnology?
The comparative study of human cultures
What is cultural reflexivity?
Thinking about how your culture can affect your perception of other cultures, and how that perception can change
Does fieldwork need to be in “exotic” locations?
No, it can be anywhere
What is cultural relativism?
The belief that cultures need to be judged in accordance with their own values.
What is ethnocentrism?
The belief that one’s own culture is superior to others.
what is culture?
A complex whole including any capabilities, habits, rituals, and ideas people acquire in society. Culture is learned, shared, and symbolic.
How is culture learned?
Through instruction and observation
How can anthropology be useful to businesses?
By allowing businesses to understand the behaviors and thoughts of customers.
What three businesses found anthropology useful in An Anthropologist Walks Into a Bar?
A beer company, Lego, and an ostomy bag company.
What were the researchers studying in Nest in the Wind?
The relationship between colonization, modernization, and blood pressure on the Micronesian island of Pohnpei.
Who are the main members of the research team in Nest in the Wind?
Martha Ward - the author, who dealt with culture shock by making long lists and cleaning
Roger - Martha’s husband
Lloyd - a Christian sexist who Martha conflicted with
Jack - a researcher who had lived in Pohnpei for 10 years
Sohn Alpet - a Pohnpeian interloper
Ian - a member of the medical team
What is the significance of kava in Pohnpeian culture?
It is a mild, non-hallucinogenic drug used to promote peace.
How do romantic relationships work in Pohnpei?
Pohnpei is a matrilineal society. Sex is seen as a human necessity, with couples only marrying if they have children. Due to the matrilineality, there are no “illegitimate” children. Relationships between members of the same clan is considered incest.
