Anthropology Notes Overview

Anthropology Notes

• Research involves gathering information on a topic, examining various sources.

Ethnographic Research

• Qualitative data acquisition and analysis method.
• Researchers actively engage with the subjects of study.
• Applied work is increasingly common in the field.
• Extended fieldwork and immersion are necessary.

Culture in Anthropology

• System of behaviors, language, material goods, symbols, values, and beliefs.
• Culture is dynamic and constantly evolving, not static.

Franz Boas

• German-American anthropologist.
• Developed the four-field approach to anthropology.
• Challenged scientific racism.
• Advocated for cultural relativism.

Cultural Diffusion

• Cultures exchange elements.
• Cultures borrow and mix rather than evolving linearly.

Cultural Relativism

• Understanding cultures on their own terms.
• Avoiding imposing one's own cultural values.

Scientific Racism

• Anthropometry used to justify racist views.
• Used physical features to explain social behaviors.
• Falsely asserted biological differences between groups.

Four Fields of Anthropology

• Cultural anthropology
• Biological anthropology
• Linguistic anthropology
• Archaeology

Cultural Anthropology

• Understanding human beliefs and actions.
• Documenting cultural diversity.
• Studying culture in various contexts.

Biological Anthropology

• Examining human evolution, physical variety, and health.

Linguistic Anthropology

• Studying language in social and cultural contexts.
• Analyzing how language shapes identity and interactions.

Archaeology

• Studying past cultures through material remains.
• Reconstructing past human societies.

Applied Anthropology

• Using anthropological knowledge to solve modern problems.
• Practical applications in health, education, and community development.

Bronislaw Malinowski

• Considered the father of modern fieldwork.
• Extensive fieldwork in the Trobriand Islands.
• Emphasized participant observation and immersion.

Cultural Relativism

• All cultures are equally valid and logical.
• No culture is superior or inferior to others.
• Understanding cultural differences.

Agency in Anthropology

• Individuals capacity for independent action.
• Individuals influence on communities and societies.
• Power structures and individual agency.

Ethnography

• Comprehensive research approach.
• Focused on the in-depth study of a specific culture.
• Detailed research including participant observation.

Participant Observation

• Immersion in a culture.
• Observing and engaging with people.
• Collecting data about behaviors and practices.

Archeology

• Understanding past cultures via material remains.
• Examining human history and development.

American Anthropological Association (AAA)

• Professional organization for anthropologists.
• Develops anthropological concepts and ideas.

Human Development

• Study of social structures and cultural change.
• Exploring the origins and development of human societies.

The Cultural Iceberg

• Culture has visible and invisible aspects.
• Much of cultural understanding is unseen.

Culture (Shared Values)

• Explicit values and ideas, rules of behavior.
• A shared set of values and rules that regulate interactions.
• Implicit and explicit elements work together to govern society.

Enculturation

• Learning about your own culture.
• Exposure to various external sources.
• Influence of upbringing and societal norms.

Cultural Diffusion

• Cultures constantly borrow and mix.
• This is an ongoing process of cultural borrowing and integration.
• No culture exists in isolation.

Ethnocentrism

• Judging cultures based on one's own.
• Comparing and contrasting different cultures.
• Potential for biased perspectives.

Reflexivity

• Awareness of influences on research.
• Researcher's own biases, experiences impacting research outcomes.
• Importance of acknowledging and addressing potential biases.

Applied Anthropology

• Practical application of anthropological methods and insights.
• Addressing real-world problems in health, education, and more.

Cultural Anthropology

• Study of cultural differences and human behavior.
• Analyzing cultural norms and variations across different societies.

Linguistic Anthropology

• Examining the relationship between language and society.
• Studying how language shapes identities, beliefs, and perspectives.

Qualitative Research

• In-depth understanding of human behavior.
• Gathering non-numerical data: interviews, focus groups, observations.
• Analyzing complex data.

Quantitative Research

• Identifying patterns.
• Making population generalizations.
• Applying statistical analysis.

Observation

• Systematically noting behaviors, events, or conditions in a specific environment.
• Important part of data collection.

Field Notes

• Detailed records of observations, conversations, and reflections.
• Essential for analysis and interpretation.

Thick Description

• Detailed account of social action.
• Including context, meaning, and interpretation.
• Helps to understand cultural phenomena deeply.

Dominant Culture

• Prevailing culture in a society.
• Holds significant power and influence.
• Influences values, beliefs, and practices.

Subculture

• Group within a larger culture.
• Distinctive values, norms, and practices.
• Often arises from divergence from the dominant culture.

Noble Savage

• Romanticized idea of indigenous peoples.
• Stereotyped as innocent and uncorrupted by modern society.

Scientific Racism

• Falsely using scientific methods to justify racism.
• Historical ideology asserting racial superiority.

Eugenics

• Problematic idea of altering human reproduction.
• Based on false beliefs about inheritable traits.
• Rooted in discrimination and biased interpretations.

Globalization

• Intensification of social relations between distant locations.
• Shared experiences, cultural exchange, and economic connections.

Cultural Hegemony:

• Dominance by a group or perspective.
• shaping norms values and behaviors through a belief system.
• Ordering a perspective as a norm.

Coloniality:

• Dominance and power exerted by colonization.
• Creation of a system based on European values and viewpoints.
• Erasing indigenous knowledge and perspectives.

Decoloniality:

• Dismantling colonial systems.
• Restoring agency and respect for indigenous values.
• Challenging Eurocentric perspectives.

Explore key concepts in anthropology, including ethnographic research and the dynamic nature of culture. Learn about influential figures like Franz Boas and important theories such as cultural relativism and diffusion. This quiz covers essential terminology and principles within the field.