Cultural Anthropology Overview

The study of how culture is changing over time and how humans are affected by these changes.

Armchair anthropology is criticized for its lack of direct contact with the people being studied, which can lead to inaccurate or ethnocentric perspectives.

<p>Franz Boas challenged cultural evolutionism by arguing against the idea of a linear progression of cultures from 'primitive' to 'civilized.' He emphasized the unique complexity and diversity of cultures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The founding figures of the four-field approach to anthropology are Alfred Louis Kroeber and Edward Sapir.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language influences how we think and perceive the world. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of language and culture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Margaret Mead is known for her influential work on adolescence, gender, and culture, particularly her study of Samoan youth, which challenged traditional Western views on adolescence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ruth Benedict primarily focused on patterns of culture and their significance in shaping individual behaviors and social structures. Her work aimed to understand the underlying patterns of diverse cultures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cultural relativism emphasizes the idea that beliefs and practices should be understood within the specific cultural context in which they occur. It encourages respect for cultural differences and the avoidance of ethnocentric judgment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Thick description refers to the detailed analysis of cultural phenomena, including not only the behavior itself but also the meanings and interpretations assigned to it by those involved in the culture. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of cultural practices and their deeper significance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Nostalgia plays a crucial role in shaping the experiences and identities of the 'Divine Knights' gang members. It links their present circumstances back to the past, often creating a sense of longing for a different time or a different life. It also influences their aspirations and dreams for the future.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ralph's thick description of the 'Divine Knights' gang challenges simplistic portrayals of gangs as inherently criminal or pathological. He argues that gang life is complex and multilayered, influenced by historical and social factors, and the members' experiences are shaped by their own aspirations, experiences, and cultural understandings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The study of how culture evolves and impacts humans over time.

Fieldwork involving direct observation and participation in the culture being studied.

The belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

The founder of American anthropology, known for opposing scientific racism.

An ideology that uses scientific methods to claim racial superiority.

The idea that beliefs and practices are best understood within their own cultural context.

A discredited method where anthropologists study cultures without direct contact.

An outdated theory that ranks cultures from 'savage' to 'civilized'.

A method of analysis that explains not just behaviors but their meanings in context.

The practice of documenting cultures believed to be dying out.

The first doctorate in anthropology in the US; he shaped the field significantly.

A linguist who contributed to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis on language and thought.

A prominent anthropologist known for her work on gender and sexuality in Samoa.

An anthropologist known for her work on cultural patterns and combatting racism.

The belief that cultural factors drive behavior rather than genetic or racial ones.

A linguistic anthropologist known for studying silence in Western Apache culture.

An anthropologist who studied drug culture and socioeconomic factors in urban areas.

An economic approach that emphasizes free markets and individualism.

A work by Keith Basso examining silence and its meanings in Apache culture.

A series of policies aimed to combat drug use and its societal impacts.

A gang formed during the second great migration, evolving with socioeconomic changes.

Younger gang affiliates struggling with cultural changes within the Divine Knights.

Ruth Benedict’s work that examines cultural behaviors and their meanings.

Shared expectations and rules that guide behavior within a culture.

Changes and transformations within a culture over time.

An approach that emphasizes making anthropological work accessible and relevant.

A key method in anthropology involving engaging in the daily life of participants.

Written observations and reflections made during ethnographic research.

Social and economic conditions that influence lives and behaviors.