Unit 2: Anthropology as a science; theoretical and methodological aspects

Question 1

Evolutionism

Answer 1

a theroretical perspective that views cultural development as following a universal trajectory from simpler to more complex stages, as proposed by figures like Lewis Henry Morgan and Edward Burnett Tylor

Question 2

Historical Particularism

Answer 2

perspective championed by Franz Boas, which rejects the notion of universal cultural evolution, arguing that each culture has its unique history, and similar traits can emerge through different historical processes

Question 3

Functionalism

Answer 3

theoretical approach focusing on the present-day roles of cultural traits in maintaining societal stability, with key figures like Bronislaw Malinowski and A.R. Radcliffe-Brown

Question 4

Structural Functionalism

Answer 4

An extension of functionalism, viewing society as a system of interconnected parts working together to maintain the whole, often assuming that societies function optimally

Question 5

Neoevolutionism

Answer 5

A revived interest in cultural change and evolution in the mid-20th century, with proponents like Leslie White and Julian Steward advocating for technological advancements and multilinear evolution

Question 6

Cultural Materialism

Answer 6

a theory developed by Marvin Harris, which argues that material conditions, especially technology, economics, and demographics, shape a society’s social structure and belief systems

Question 7

Structuralism

Answer 7

A perspective associated with Claude Lévi-Strauss, which seeks to uncover universal mental structures that underlie cultural variations, often through the use of binary oppositions

Question 8

Culturology

Answer 8

A concept proposed by Leslie White that emphasizes the power of cultural forces in shaping individual behavior, downplaying the role of individual agency

Question 9

Symbolic and Interpretive Anthropology

Answer 9

A theoretical approach focused on the study of symbols and their meanings in cultural contexts, with key figures like Victor Turner and Clifford Geertz

Question 10

Practice theory

Answer 10

A perspective advanced by scholars like Sherry Ortner, Pierre Bourdieu, and Anthony Giddens, recognizing the dynamic interaction between individuals and culture, where individuals shape and are shaped by cultural systems

Question 11

Ethnography

Answer 11

common method used in cultural anthropology, involving immersive fieldwork to gain an in-depth understanding of a particular culture through observation, interviews, and participation

Question 12

Participant Observation

Answer 12

a data collection technique where ethnographers immerse themselves in a community, participating in daily activities to better understand cultural practices and social interactions

Question 13

Genealogical Method

Answer 13

used to trace kinship relationships, helping to understand social structures and historical connections within a culture

Question 14

Longitudinal Research

Answer 14

a research method that involves repeated visits to a community over time to document cultural changes and continuities

Question 14

Emic vs. Etic Perspective

Answer 14

Emic- refers to an insiders perspective, how local people understand their own culture
Etic- refers to n outsiders perspective or ethnographers perspective in analyzing a culture

Question 15

Survey Research

Answer 15

a quantitative method used in anthropology to collect standardized data from a larger population, often through questionnaires