Anthropology 101

What does the Greek word 'anthropos' mean?

What is the primary focus of anthropology according to various definitions?

What is the technique employed in anthropology to collect qualitative data?

What is the major task of anthropology according to Ahmed (1986)?

What is the scope of anthropology in terms of the aspects of human beings it studies?

What is the origin of anthropology?

What is the potential consequence of anthropology's role in noting differences between cultures?

What is the term used to describe the field of anthropology?

What is the primary focus of cultural anthropology?

What is the name of the cultural movement in 18th century Europe that led to the development of modern anthropology?

What is the main objective of Enlightenment scholars?

What is the name of the theory that explains the spread of certain ideas, customs, or practices from one culture to another?

Who is the prominent scholar of German diffusionism?

What is the focus of physical anthropology?

What is the primary focus of archaeology?

What is the name of the British diffusionist who proposed that every aspect of civilization originated from Egypt?

Definition of Anthropology

Derived from Greek words "anthropos" (man) and "logos" (word), meaning the study of human beings
Represents the science of human beings
The study of other cultures, employing participant observation and collecting qualitative data

Approaches to Anthropology

Defined by Langness (1974) as the scientific study of human beings in the abstract
According to Haviland, Prins, Walrath, and McBride (2011), it is the study of humankind in all times and places
Ahmed (1986) views it as enabling us to understand ourselves through understanding other cultures

Aspects of Anthropology

Studies human beings from biology and evolutionary history to society and culture
Examines the features that distinguish humans from other animal species

Origins of Anthropology

Emerged from the colonial expansion of Europe
Contributed to the gulf between Western and non-Western cultures
Developed during the Age of Enlightenment, focusing on the power of reason to advance society and knowledge

Special Fields of Anthropology

Physical Anthropology: the systemic study of humans as biological organisms
Cultural Anthropology: the study of customary patterns in human behavior, thought, and feelings
Linguistic Anthropology: the study of human languages, including their structure, history, and relation to social and cultural context
Archaeology: the study of human culture through the recovery and analysis of material remains

Theories of Anthropology

Diffusionism: the spread of certain ideas, customs, or practices from one culture to another
British diffusionists: proposed that every aspect of civilization originated from Egypt and spread to other parts of the world
German diffusionists: led by Father Wilheim Schmidt, with similar views to the British diffusionists

Learn about the origins and definition of anthropology, the study of human beings and their cultures. Understand the fundamental principles of anthropology and its methodology.