Unit 1: Anthropology: the concept of culture

Question 1

Anthropology

Answer 1

study of humanity, including our ancestors, to understand what it means to be human across time and space, focusing on, culture, society, language, and biology

Question 2

Culture

Answer 2

is the learned and shared beliefs, practices, and symbols that guide behaviour and thought,shaping how individuals perceive and interact within their society

Question 3

Holistic approach (in Anthro)

Answer 3

anthropology is holistic, examining all aspects of human life, including past, present, and future, as well as biological, societal, and cultural factors

Question 4

Relativism Perspective(in Anthro)

Answer 4

Promotes a relativistic perspective, avoiding judgment by understanding cultures from the viewpoint of the people within them

Question 5

Comparative Approach(in Anthro)

Answer 5

Anthro compares ancient and modern societies, identifying patterns and differences in human behavior across cultures

Question 6

Human Diversity

Answer 6

arises from our adaptability, creativity and flexibility, shaping our ability to thrive in different environments through both biological and cultural adaptations

Question 7

Adaptation

Answer 7

the processes by which organisms, including humans, cope with environmental forces and stresses, using biological and cultural means

Question 8

Universalities(in culture)

Answer 8

traits shared by all human cultures, such as infant dependency, social interactions, and the incest taboo

Question 9

Generalities(in culture)

Answer 9

cultural patterns found in some but not all societies, often due to the shared ancestry or cultural diffusion, like the nuclear family structure

Question 10

Particularities(in culture)

Answer 10

Unique cultural traits specific to a particular society or group, reflecting distinct ways of life

Question 11

Archaeology

Answer 11

subfield of anthropology that reconstructs past human cultures through the study of material remains like artifacts and fossils

Question 12

Biological Anthropology

Answer 12

studies human biological diversity, human evolution, genetics, and the behavior of primates across time and space

Question 13

Linguistic Anthropology

Answer 13

examines language in its social and cultural contexts, studying linguistic variations, ancient language, and the influence of language on thought

Question 14

Sociocultural Anthropology

Answer 14

studies human societies and cultures through ethnography and ethnology, focusing on understanding cultural differences and similarities

Question 15

Applied Anthropology

Answer 15

uses anthropological knowledge and methods to address real-world social issues in fields like public health, family planning, and business

Question 16

Ethnography

Answer 16

is a method in sociocultural anthropology that involves detailed, in-depth studies of specific cultures based on firsthand fieldwork

Question 17

Ethnology

Answer 17

comparative analysis of different cultures to identify patterns and explanations for cultural variations

Question 18

Psychological Anthropology

Answer 18

takes a cross-cultural approach to understanding how societies share psychological traits and values, focusing on child-rearing and personality development

Question 19

Symbols(in culture)

Answer 19

verbal or non-verbal representations that stand for something else, shaping how we perceive the world and communicate meaning culture

Question 20

Enculturation

Answer 20

process through which the individuals learn their cultures beliefs, behaviours, and practices, passing them on from generation to generation

Question 21

Globalization

Answer 21

the increasing interconnections and interdependence of nations and peoples through economic, political, and cultural exchanges

Question 22

Acculturation

Answer 22

the exchange of cultural features when groups come into direct, continuous contact leading to cultural change

Question 23

Diffusion

Answer 23

refers to the spread of cultural traits between societies through direct, forced or indirect contact, leading to cultural exchange

Question 24

independent invention

Answer 24

process by which societies develop new technologies, ideas, or solutions independently, based on their specific needs and challenges

Question 25

National culture

Answer 25

encompasses the shared beliefs, values and institutions that unify the citizens of nation

Question 26

International culture

Answer 26

extends beyond national countries and is often shaped by shared history, migration, or diffusion of ideas

Question 27

subcultures

Answer 27

are distinct cultural patterns within larger, complex societies, often based on ethnicity, religion, or other social factors