Unit 1 Flashcards
Concept of Culture
What is Anthropology?
the study of the human species and its immediate ancestors
What does Anthropology help us understand?
it helps us to understand what it means to be human
What aspect of humanity does anthropology focus on?
Human diversity in time and space
What perspective is anthropology based on?
cross-cultural perspective
How does culture influence human development?
it affects it :)
Why do we consider culture to be ‘invisible’?
it is often ‘invisible’ until it is placed in comparison with another culture
What type of science is anthropology?
a holistic, relativistic, and comparative science that explains the whole of the human condition
What does holism mean in anthropology? What does it include?
comprehensive approach of understanding experience as a whole
-> past, present, future
-> biology, society, language and culture
What is cultural relativism?
Cultural relativism is the practice of studying cultures from their own perspective, without judgments.
-> philosophy of modern anthropology
How does the philosophy of modern anthropology contrast with ethnocentrism?
The philosophy of modern anthropology emphasizes understanding cultures from their own perspectives, rather than judging them based on one’s own cultural standards.
What is Comparison in Anthropology?
Comparing ancient and modern ages and simple and complex societies
What is human diversity?
The result of the huge human adaptability
What does the subject matter of anthropology include?
includes the study of human beings, their behaviors, cultures, and societies throughout history and across different contexts.
Where and when do anthropologists study human beings?
wherever and whenever
What aspect of human diversity is of particular interest to anthropologists?
the diversity that comes through human adaptability
What are the 3 human basic attributes?
Creativity
Adaptability
Flexibility
What do humans want? (basic human attributes)
Wishes to know the unknown, control the uncontrollable, and create order out of chaos find expression among all peoples.
What does Adaptation refer to?
the processes by which organism cope with environmental forces and stresses
Which 2 means does adaptation include?
biological means
cultural means
What is biological adaptation?
Physical changes in response to environmental stresses, such as changes in skin color or body temperature regulation.
What is cultural adaptation?
The knowledge and behaviors acquired through culture that enable humans to survive and thrive in different environments.
What does the knowledge or behavior of adaptation enables humans to do?
to adjust, survive, and thrive in the environment
Where do we obtain the knowledge or behavior of adaptation from?
from culture
What is an example of Adaptation?
Adaptation to high altitude
which forms of adaptation are there in the example of adaptation to high altitude?
- Technology
- Genetic adaptation
- long-term physiological adaptation
- short-term physiological adaptation
What are examples for each type of adaptation in the example of adaptation to high altitude?
- Technology -> airplane cabin with oxygen masks
- Genetic adaptation -> larger ‘barrel chests’ of native highlanders
- long-term physiological adaptation -> more efficient respiratory systems to extract oxygen from thin air
- short-term physiological adaptation -> increased heart rate, hyperventilation
What are universalities in anthropology?
something that exists in every culture
What are generalities in anthropology?
Culture pattern or trait that exists in some but not all societies
What are particularities in anthropology?
Distinctive or unique traits, pattern or integrations
What are examples for biological based universals?
- Infant dependency
- complex brain functions that enable us to use symbols, language and tools
What distinguishes Homo sapiens from other species?
biological based universals
What are psychological universals?
Common ways in which humans thinks, feel and process information
What are examples of social universals?
- Social interactions
- Family living
- Food sharing
What are universal taboos in culture?
Exogamy and Incest
What is Exogamy?
Marrying someone from the family
How are societies connected through generalities in anthropology?
Societies can share the same beliefs and customs through cultural inheritance or cultural diffusion (cultural borrowing) from a common cultural ancestor
How do societies share the same beliefs and customs in anthropology?
Societies can share the same beliefs and customs through cultural inheritance or cultural diffusion (cultural borrowing) from a common cultural ancestor
What is an example of a cultural generality?
The nuclear family is an example of a generality, as it is present in many societies but not in all.
How is the nuclear family related to larger kinship groups?
The nuclear family is often submerged within larger kinship groups, such as extended families, lineages, and clans.
How do different cultures reflect particularities?
Different cultures emphasize different things, and they are integrated and patterned uniquely, displaying tremendous variation and diversity.
How is the term ‘diversity’ commonly used today?
The term ‘diversity’ is often used to refer to positive attributes like variety in race, culture, ideas, and perspectives, with a focus on maintaining and increasing this variety.
What are the fields of anthropology?
Archeology
Sociocultural anthropology
Biological anthropology
Linguistic anthropology
What does an Archeologist do?
Reconstructs, describes, and interprets human behavior and cultural patterns through material remains.
What are tasks of archeologists?
- They visit sites where people live or have lived.
- They find find artifacts such as tools, weapons, camp sites, buildings, and garbage.
- Plant and animal remains (fossils).
- They infer how people lived.
What is the focus of biological (or physical) anthropology?
focuses on human biological diversity in time and space
What are the 5 special interests within biological anthropology?
- human evolution (as revealed by the fossil record)
- human genetics
- human growth and development
- human biological plasticity
- the biology, evolution, behavior and social life of monkeys, apes and other nonhuman primates
what is the study of human evolution as revealed by the fossil record called?
paleo-anthropology
How does biological anthropology approach human genetics?
Biological anthropology includes the study of human genetics to understand hereditary variations and evolutionary changes.
What is human biological plasticity?
Human biological plasticity refers to the body’s ability to change and adapt to stresses such as heat, cold, and altitude.
What does linguistic anthropology study?
studies language in its social and cultural context, across space and over time
How do some linguistic anthropologists study language universals?
they make inferences about universal features of language, linked perhaps to uniformities in the human brain.
How do linguistic anthropologists reconstruct ancient languages?
by comparing their contemporary descendants and in so doing make discoveries about history.
Why do linguistic anthropologists study linguistic differences?
to discover varied perceptions and patterns of thought in different cultures.
What is the objective of sociocultural anthropology?
Sociocultural anthropology describes, analyzes, interprets, and explains social and cultural similarities and differences.
What does social anthropology focus on?
Social anthropology focuses on understanding human societies and their structures, such as social norms, relationships, and institutions.
There are two means in social anthropology, which ones?
Ethnography and Ethnology
What does ethnography require?
field work to collect data
is ethnography descriptive or synthetic?
it is often descriptive, focusing on detailed observations of a specific group or community.
How does ethnology collect data?
Ethnology uses data collected by a series of researchers, often pulling from multiple studies.
Is ethnology descriptive or synthetic?
is usually synthetic, meaning it involves synthesizing information from various sources to compare and analyze cultural patterns.
-> cross-cultural
What is applied anthropology?
the application of anthropological data, perspectives, methods, and theories to identify, assess, and solve contemporary social problems.
What are some areas where applied anthropology is used?
areas like public health, family planning, business, economic development, and cultural resources management.
What is the difference between academic anthropology and applied anthropology?
Academic anthropology focuses on teaching and research, while applied anthropology focuses on practical solutions to real-world issues.
How do applied medical anthropologists view health?
as a combination of sociocultural and biological factors
How do perceptions of health differ according to applied medical anthropologists?
Perceptions of good and bad health differ across cultures, leading to different understandings of illness, symptoms, and causes, as well as different treatments and health-care systems.