SAP cultural anthropology Flashcards
Who was Margaret Mead?
Margaret Mead was an anthropologist who conducted significant research on gender in New Guinea and adolescence in Samoa from 1901-1942.
How did Margaret Mead prepare for her fieldwork?
She learned and studied the language for 6 months to interact with the people without an interpreter and faced culture shock and loneliness.
What was the importance of Margaret Mead’s research?
Her research highlighted that culture influences behavior, particularly in her book ‘Coming of Age in Samoa,’ which became a bestseller.
What were Margaret Mead’s findings about adolescent behavior in Samoa?
Samoan teens were raised to experiment with sexuality, did not experience the stress of a nuclear family, and were raised by the community.
What impact did Mead’s findings have on Western culture?
Her work suggested that behavior is not solely determined by biology and that societal choices can shape culture.
What are the key findings about the Arapesh culture?
In Arapesh culture, children were treated warmly, and both genders participated in child care, leading to a trusting worldview.
What are the key findings about the Mungdugumor culture?
Mungdugumor children were treated harshly, and both genders were raised to be ‘masculine’ by Western standards, viewing others as potential enemies.
What are the key findings about the Tchambuli culture?
In Tchambuli culture, gender roles were reversed, with women being the providers and men taking on passive roles.
What is Franz Boas known for?
Franz Boas was the first anthropologist to reject biological racial theories, emphasizing environmental factors in human behavior.
What is cultural relativism?
Cultural relativism is the idea that each culture is unique and should be understood on its own terms.
What is historical particularism?
Historical particularism is the concept that each society has its distinct historical development, rejecting universal cultural evolution.
What is the four-field approach in anthropology?
The four-field approach integrates cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics to study human societies.
What does it mean that culture is shared?
Culture is shared when a group or society believes in the same things or acts in the same way, distinguishing it from habits or subcultures.
How does culture define nature?
Culture can limit, fulfill, expand, or influence our biological needs and inherited tendencies.
How is culture learned?
Culture is learned through socialization and continues to evolve throughout our lives.
How does culture shape our perception of the world?
Culture influences our values, beliefs, and ways of thinking, affecting how we interpret events and interact with others.
What are examples of material culture?
Material culture includes physical objects like the cross, traditional clothing, and art such as sculptures and paintings.
What are examples of non-material culture?
Non-material culture includes values, beliefs, ideas, language, and customs, such as religious beliefs and social values.
What are the steps to identify and explain cultural practices through images?
- Observe details. 2. Understand context. 3. Interpret symbols. 4. Compare with other cultures. 5. Reflect on your perspective.
What is the difference between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism?
Cultural relativism is understanding cultures on their own terms, while ethnocentrism is the belief that one ethnic group is superior to another.
How do anthropologists define culture?
Anthropologists define culture as all the learned behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, values, and ideals of a particular society.
What should students study for the cultural anthropology test?
Students should study key figures like Margaret Mead and Franz Boas, definitions of culture, differences between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism, and examples of material and non-material culture.
