Anthropology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is considered the Father of American Anthropology?

Franz Boaz

Where did Franz Boaz come from?

He came from North America after being a victim of anti-Semitism.

Who is sometimes called the founding father of class ethnographers?

Emile Durkheim

What did Clifford Geertz contribute to anthropology?

He championed symbolic anthropology. Signup and view all the answers

What is Edward Taylor's definition of culture?

A complex whole that includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and other capabilities and habits acquired by man. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three points of debate that persist among all anthropologists?

<ol> <li>Is culture an integrated whole? 2) Is culture an autonomous thing? 3) Is culture a thing with boundaries?</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is Rosaldo's view on culture?

Cultures are learned, not genetically encoded. Signup and view all the answers

Culture is _____ and all-encompassing.

integrated Signup and view all the answers

What are the Four Subfields of Anthropology?

<ol> <li>Archaeology 2) Biological Anthropology 3) Linguistic Anthropology 4) Cultural Anthropology</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural relativism?

Judging and interpreting the behavior of others in terms of their traditions and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of archaeology?

Understanding cultural history, reconstruction, social and cultural change, and cultural meaning. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of emic perspective?

A view from within a culture. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes inductive reasoning?

It involves coming up with conclusions based on a series of repeated events. Signup and view all the answers

What is a holistic view in anthropology?

Understanding cultures as complex systems that cannot be fully understood without looking at all components. Signup and view all the answers

What makes humans different?

Our brain, our ability to reason, our society, and our culture. Signup and view all the answers

What is ethnocentrism?

Judging others from your own societal viewpoint without considering their culture. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of biological anthropology?

The biological aspects of humans and their evolution. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of social evolution?

It takes place in human society through cultural and societal changes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Figures in Anthropology

Franz Boas:
- Considered the "Father of American Anthropology."
- Developed historical particularism, emphasizing culture as a complex product of social behavior, individual reactions, and community habits.
Emile Durkheim:
- A leading figure in class ethnography, highlighting that culture and society shape individual personalities.
- Critiqued for oversimplifying conflict and change in social processes.
Clifford Geertz:
- Renowned for symbolic anthropology, emphasizing the importance of symbols in guiding social action.
- Defined culture as a system of inherited conceptions, expressing meaning and knowledge through symbols.
Edward Tyler:
- Described culture as the complex whole, encompassing knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, laws, and customs.

The Nature of Culture

Culture is difficult to define; it evolves with human progress and is learned rather than instinctual.
Key characteristics of culture include its general and specific aspects, shared nature, symbolization, and the fact that it can change and be remade by its users.
Cultures can be compared to one another, providing insights into human behavior across different societies.

Anthropology’s Fundamental Debates and Concepts

Ongoing debates within anthropology concern whether culture is an integrated whole, autonomous, and if it has defined boundaries like nations.
Rosaldo's Perspective: Critiques classic norms, advocating for an understanding of culture as learned, rather than genetically predetermined.
Cultural Relativism: Important principle that advocates judging behaviors based on their cultural contexts rather than through one’s own standards.

Anthropological Subfields

Archaeology: Studies past cultures via material artifacts, examining social and cultural histories.
Biological Anthropology: Examines human biological variations and their ties to culture.
Linguistic Anthropology: Explores language within social and cultural contexts and its evolution.
Cultural Anthropology: Focuses on contemporary societies and their cultural practices through ethnography.

Methodologies and Perspectives

Emic Perspective: Views culture from within, providing insider insights.
Etic Perspective: Offers an external viewpoint on cultural practices.
Fieldwork: Critical for gathering firsthand data in anthropological studies.

The Evolution of Societies

Biological Evolution: Slow changes occur through genetics over generations.
Social Evolution: Faster changes seen in societal structures, such as trade, governance, or community practices.
Social evolution is observable at the individual level and transcends time and space through shared ideas.

Holistic Approach in Anthropology

Holism emphasizes understanding cultures as systems where numerous components—economic, social, ideological—interact.
To fully comprehend a culture, one must look at all its parts and their relationships.

Additional Concepts

Agency: Highlights individual capacity to make choices and act freely within cultural contexts.
Ethnocentrism: The tendency to evaluate other cultures using one's own cultural standards.
Cultural Norms and Changes: Norms traditionally accepted in anthropology, but faced critiques for their relevance in contemporary studies.

Goals and Principles in Archaeology

Archaeologists aim to uncover cultural history, reconstruct societies, and understand social changes.
Key principles include universalism, holism, integration of culture, and cultural relativism.

Conclusion

Understanding anthropology requires familiarity with its key figures, concepts of culture, subfields, methodologies, and prevailing debates. It emphasizes a comprehensive view of human life considering evidence, social structures, and individual agency.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key concepts and figures in anthropology with these flashcards. Learn about influential anthropologists like Franz Boaz and the theories that shaped the field. Perfect for students and enthusiasts alike!