Anthropology and Sociology Overview

Anthropology

• The study of human behavior and societies
• The term "antrophonos" means "human/reason" and "logos" means "study of man or human beings"
• Related to sociology

Sociology

• The study of human societies and the purpose of social institutions

### Culture

• Consists of beliefs, behaviors, objects, and other characteristics common to a particular group or society
• Two main parts:
  • Material culture: Tangible things created and used by members of a society, such as food, cars, and houses.
  • Non-material culture: Intangible aspects that influence behavior, including language, beliefs, values, rules of behavior, and family patterns.
• Five components:
  • Technology: Tools and techniques that make life easier, leading to mass production of goods.
  • Symbols: Cultural representations of reality, giving meaning to events and objects (examples: statues, handshakes, college rings, flags).
  • Language: The most powerful symbol; allows communication and conveys beliefs and culture.
  • Values: Ideas that determine our character; standards for assessing goodness, acceptability, beauty, or desirability.
  • Norms: Rules that guide behavior, providing concrete terms for actions and inactions.
• Types of Norms:
  • Mores: Distinguish right from wrong.
  • Folkways: Distinguish between right and rude, but not necessarily approved by society.
  • Laws: Written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by governments.
  • Taboo: Forbidden or sacred activities based on religious beliefs or morals.

Society

• Consists of people who interact and share a common culture

Group

• Serves many functions including:
  • Providing a sense of identity
  • Fostering emotional intimacy

Aggregate

• A collection of people who happen to be in the same place at the same time

Category

• A collection of people who share a particular characteristic, but may not interact with one another

Family

• The basic unit of society
• Traditionally consists of two parents

Kinship System

• Relationship between individuals in a family
• Three types:
  • Consanguinity: By blood
  • Affinity: By marriage
  • Ritual: By organization/fraternal

Anthropology & Sociology

• Anthropology studies human behavior and societies.
• Sociology studies human social interactions and institutions.
• “Antrophonos” means human/reason and “Logos” refers to the study of human beings.

### Culture and its Components

• Culture encompasses beliefs, behaviors, objects, and characteristics shared by a group or society.
• Two types of culture:
  • Material: Visible, tangible elements such as food, cars, and houses.
  • Non-Material: Influences behavior through language, beliefs, values, and social patterns.
• Five components of culture:
  • Technology: Simplifies life through mass production of goods.
  • Symbols: Cultural representations of reality, giving meaning to events and objects.
  • Language: Powerful symbol enabling communication, conveying beliefs and culture.
  • Values: Ideas that determine character, defining standards of goodness, acceptability, beauty, and desirability.
  • Norms: Rules guiding behavior, providing concrete instructions on actions and inactions.

### Norms and their Classification

• Mores: Distinguish right from wrong.
• Folkways: Distinguish right from rude, measuring behavior but not necessarily societal approval.
• Laws: Written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by government.
• Taboo: Forbidden or sacred activities based on religious beliefs or morals.

Society, Groups, Aggregates, and Categories

• Society is a collection of individuals who interact and share a common culture.
• Groups: Serve many functions for individuals, like identity and emotional intimacy.
• Aggregates: Temporary gatherings of people by chance at a specific time and place.
• Categories: Collections of people sharing a characteristic, without necessarily interacting.

Family and Kinship Systems

• Family is the basic unit of society, traditionally consisting of two parents.
• Kinship system: Refers to relationships within a society.
• Three types of kinship systems:
  • Consanguinity: By blood.
  • Affinity: By marriage.
  • Ritual: By organization or fraternity.