Anthropology Chapter 1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is anthropology?

the study of the human nature, human society, and the human past.

What does holism refer to in anthropology?

a characteristic that integrates all knowledge about human beings and their activities.

What is the concept of comparison in anthropology?

the consideration of similarities and differences in a wide range of human societies.

What does evolution in the anthropological perspective entail?

placing observations in a temporal framework that considers change over time. Signup and view all the answers

What is culture?

sets of learned behavior and ideas acquired as members of society. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term biocultural organism refer to?

organisms whose defining features are codetermined by biological and cultural factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by material culture?

objects created or shaped by human beings through cultural practices. Signup and view all the answers

What are races in a social context?

social groupings that reflect biological differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is racism?

the systematic oppression of one race by another justified by supposed biological superiority. Signup and view all the answers

What does biological anthropology study?

human beings as biological organisms and their distinguishing characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is primatology?

the study of nonhuman primates, the closest living relatives of humans. Signup and view all the answers

What is paleoanthropology?

the search for fossilized remains of humanity's earliest ancestors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of cultural anthropology?

variation in behaviors shaped by learned behaviors and ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes sex in humans?

observable physical characteristics that differentiate females and males. Signup and view all the answers

What is gender?

the cultural construction of beliefs and behaviors appropriate for each sex. Signup and view all the answers

What does fieldwork involve in anthropology?

an extended period of close involvement with people of interest. Signup and view all the answers

Who are informants in an anthropological context?

people in a particular culture who provide insights to anthropologists. Signup and view all the answers

What is ethnography?

an anthropologist's written or filmed description of a particular culture. Signup and view all the answers

What does language encompass?

the system of arbitrary vocal symbols used to encode experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is linguistic anthropology?

the specialty of anthropology concerned with the study of human languages. Signup and view all the answers

What does archaeology study?

the analysis of material remains left by earlier societies. Signup and view all the answers

What is applied archaeology?

the subfield of anthropology that addresses practical cross-cultural problems. Signup and view all the answers

What does medical anthropology focus on?

human health, the factors contributing to disease, and responses to illness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Anthropology

Anthropology examines human nature, society, and history.
It integrates various disciplines to provide comprehensive understanding of humanity.

Key Characteristics of Anthropology

Holism: Seeks to understand humanity as an interconnected whole, surpassing the sum of individual components.
Comparison: Focuses on identifying similarities and differences across diverse cultures before making generalizations.
Evolution: Considers historical changes and developments over time in relation to human behavior and societies.

Concepts of Culture

Culture: Encompasses learned behaviors and ideas acquired within societal contexts.
Material Culture: Refers to physical objects shaped by human societies and affected by cultural practices.
Biocultural Organism: Highlights the interplay of biological and cultural factors in defining human characteristics.

Race: Social categories purportedly reflecting biological differences.
Racism: Systematic oppression of certain races justified by perceived biological superiority.

Subfields of Anthropology

Biological Anthropology: Studies humans as biological entities, examining distinguishing and shared traits with other organisms.
Primatology: Investigates the behavior and biology of nonhuman primates, humanity's closest relatives.
Paleoanthropology: Searches for fossil remains to uncover humanity's ancient ancestors.
Cultural Anthropology: Explores cultural variations in behaviors and learned practices among human groups.
Linguistic Anthropology: Examines human languages and their roles in society.
Archaeology: Investigates the past through material remains left by earlier civilizations and societies.
Applied Archaeology: Utilizes findings from anthropology to address practical cross-cultural challenges.
Medical Anthropology: Understands health, disease, and societal responses to illness across cultures.

Gender and Sex

Sex: Biological characteristics distinguishing males from females, essential for reproduction.
Gender: Socially constructed beliefs and behaviors attributed to each sex, reflecting cultural norms.

Research Practices

Fieldwork: Engages anthropologists in close, immersive study of communities, essential for data collection.
Informants: Local individuals who provide insights into their culture, aiding anthropological research.
Ethnography: Comprehensive written or visual descriptions crafted by anthropologists, depicting particular cultures.
Language: The system of vocal symbols used to represent human experiences and interactions.

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Description

Explore the foundational concepts of anthropology with these flashcards. Learn about key terms such as 'anthropology' and 'holism' that define the anthropological perspective and its inclusive approach to understanding human beings and their activities.