Introduction to Anthropology Quiz

Introduction to Anthropology

• Anthropology: Study of humans—past and present—including culture, biology, language, and archaeology.
• Ethnicity: Shared cultural practices, language, and heritage differentiating groups.
• Race: Socially constructed classification based on physical traits (e.g., skin color).
• Ethnocentrism: Judging another culture by one's own standards.
• Cultural Relativism: Understanding a culture without judgment, on its own terms.
• Ritual: Actions with symbolic or cultural importance.
• Ethnography: In-depth study of a culture through fieldwork.
• Emic: Insider's perspective.
• Etic: Outsider's perspective.
• Participant Observation: Immersive research method.
• Ethnographer: Person conducting ethnographic research.
• Cultural Construct: Ideas shaped by culture (e.g., gender roles).
• Symbolism: Use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts.

Branches of Anthropology

• Cultural Anthropology: Study of culture and societies.
• Biological Anthropology: Study of human evolution and biology.
• Archaeology: Study of past societies via artifacts.
• Linguistic Anthropology: Study of language and communication.

Importance of Anthropology

• Biology: Explains human evolution.
• Cultural Variation: Shows human adaptability and differences in practices.
• Evolution: Helps comprehend human development.

Comparative Study

• Analyzing multiple cultures to identify similarities and differences.

Ethnocentrism vs. Cultural Relativism

• Ethnocentrism Example: Considering one's food customs superior.
• Cultural Relativism Example: Accepting diverse diets without judgment.

Race as a Cultural Construct

• Race is not biologically significant but is socially influential.

Kinship

• Kinship: Relationships based on blood, marriage, or social connections.
• Patriarchal/Matriarchal: Male/female-dominated systems.
• Matrilineal/Patrilineal: Inheritance through mother's/father's line.
• Matrilocality/Patrilocality/Neolocality/Avunculocality: Post-marriage residence.
• Polygamy: Marriage with multiple spouses.
• Polygyny: One man, multiple wives.
• Polyandry: One woman, multiple husbands.
• Sanctions/Mores/Taboos: Social rules and prohibitions.
• Nuclear Family: Parents and children.
• Extended Family: Relatives like grandparents, cousins.
• Social Norms and Values: Shared expectations and beliefs.

Kinship Charts

• Use symbols (e.g., triangle = male, circle = female) to understand relationships.

Forms of Marriage

• Monogamy, polygamy (polygyny/polyandry), and group marriage are examples.

Forms of Polygamy

• Social factors: Prestige, alliances.
• Economic factors: Shared resources, labor division.

Nuclear vs. Extended Families

• Nuclear: More private, simpler inheritance.
• Extended: Stronger support, communal living.

Kinship and Society

• Kinship influences inheritance, power, and responsibilities.

Anthropology of Food

• Food Sharing: Exchange to build relationships.
• Potlucks/Communal Meals: Symbolic of cooperation.
• Food Taboos: Cultural restrictions on specific foods.
• Feasts: Social events with shared meals.
• Potlatch: Indigenous Northwest Coast feast involving gift-giving.
• Bizarre Foods: Foods considered unusual in other cultures.

Purpose of Food Sharing

• Builds trust, bonds, and social networks.

Social and Symbolic Significance

• Demonstrates hospitality, hierarchy, or alliances.

Cultural Practices Reflect Social Identity

• Example: Feasts celebrate community/religious events.
• Example: Taboo: Avoiding pork due to religious beliefs.

What is a Potlatch?

• Ceremonial feast showcasing wealth and resource redistribution.

Studying Food in Anthropology

• Reveals traditions, wealth, economy and group identity.