Research and Inquiry in Anthropology

Unit 1: Research and Inquiry

• Dependent Variable: The variable measured in an experiment; it changes due to the independent variable.
• Independent Variable: The variable manipulated in an experiment; it causes changes in the dependent variable.
• Research Methods:
  • Surveys: Gather data from large groups, typically quantitative.
  • Participant Observation: Researcher joins the observed group.
  • Interview: Collects qualitative data from individuals or groups.

Unit 2: Anthropology

• Primatology: Study of primates (monkeys, apes), providing insights into human evolution and behavior.
• Humans vs. Other Primates:
  • Differences: Humans exhibit complex language, culture, and advanced cognitive abilities.
  • Similarities: Shared traits include social structures, communication, and tool use.
• Paleoanthropology: Study of human evolution through fossil evidence.
• Arrival of Modern Humans:
  • Homo Heidelbergensis: Early ancestor, leading to Neanderthals and modern humans.
  • Homo Neanderthalensis: Lived alongside early Homo sapiens.
  • Homo sapiens: Anatomically modern humans, emerged around 300,000 years ago.
• Raymond Dart: Discovered Australopithecus africanus in 1924.
• Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection: Organisms with advantageous traits for survival and reproduction are more likely to pass those traits on.
• Human Variation:
  • Social Darwinism: Incorrectly applies Darwin's theory to justify social inequalities.
  • Social Construct of Race: Race is socially constructed, lacking a biological foundation.
• Cultural Anthropology:
  • Culture: Shared beliefs, values, practices within a group.
  • Material Culture: Physical aspects of culture (tools, clothing, architecture).
  • Non-material Culture: Intangible aspects (values, beliefs, norms).
  • Subculture: Distinct cultural patterns within a larger culture.
  • Assimilation: Adopting dominant culture's norms.
  • Multiculturalism: Valuing and accepting diverse cultures.
  • Cultural Relativism: Understanding cultures within their own contexts.
  • Ethnocentrism: Judging other cultures by one's own cultural standards.
  • Linguistic Anthropology: Study of language within its cultural context.
  • Sociolinguists: Examine how language reflects social identities (e.g., accents, dialects).
  • Kinship Systems: Social structures defining family relationships.
  • Rite of Passage: Rituals marking life transitions (birth, adulthood, marriage).
    • Three Stages: Separation, transition, incorporation.

Unit 3: Psychology

• Psychodynamic Theory:
  • Defense Mechanisms: Unconscious strategies for coping with anxiety (e.g., repression, denial, projection).
  • Freudian Slip: Unintentional error revealing unconscious thoughts.
  • Conscious vs. Unconscious Mind: Awareness versus repressed thoughts.
• Behavioral Psychology:
  • Classical Conditioning: Learning through association.
    • Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): Naturally triggers a response.
    • Unconditioned Response (UCR): Natural response to UCS.
    • Conditioned Stimulus (CS): Neutral stimulus linked to UCS to elicit response.
    • Conditioned Response (CR): Learned response to CS.
  • Operant Conditioning: Learning through consequences.
    • Positive Reinforcement: Adding something pleasurable.
    • Negative Reinforcement: Removing something unpleasant.
• Developmental Psychology:
  • Cognitive Development (Formal Operational Stage): Abstract thought and logical reasoning.
  • Psychosocial Development (Identity vs. Role Confusion): Adolescents develop personal identities.
• Cognitive Psychology:
  • Social Learning Theory: Learning through observing others.
• Humanistic Psychology:
  • Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Ordering of human needs, starting with physiological.
  • Isolated Children: Children raised in isolation demonstrating developmental delays.
  • Socialization and Psychological Development: Learning societal norms, values, and behaviors.
  • Bystander Effect: Less help offered when others are present.

Unit 4: Sociology

• Sociological Schools of Thought:
  • Social Norms: Rules of behavior guiding expectations.
  • Structural Functionalism: Society's parts contribute to stability.
  • Symbolic Interactionism: Societal reality created through symbols.
  • The Looking-Glass Self: Self-identity shaped by perceptions of others' views.
• Socialization: Learning societal values, norms, and roles.
  • Primary Socialization: Early childhood, primarily through family.
  • Secondary Socialization: Later life, through education, peers, media.
  • Anticipatory Socialization: Learning future roles.
  • Resocialization: Unlearning old and learning new behaviors.
  • Primary and Secondary Agents of Socialization:
    • Primary: Family, school.
    • Secondary: Peers, media, work.
• Social Identity: Defining oneself in relation to groups (e.g., gender, race).
• Group Influence:
  • Primary vs. Secondary Groups:
    • Primary: Small, close-knit (family, close friends).
    • Secondary: Larger, formal (work, clubs).
  • Power and Influence of Groups: Social norms, social roles, sanctions (positive/negative consequences).
  • Types of Crowds: Casual, conventional, expressive, acting.
• Obedience and Conformity:
  • Obedience: Following authority.
  • Conformity: Adjusting behavior to group norms.
• Deviance: Behavior violating societal norms.
  • Merton's Typology of Deviance:
    • Conformists: Accept goals and means.
    • Innovators: Accept goals, new means.
    • Ritualists: Abandon goals, adhere to means.
    • Retreatists: Reject both goals and means.
    • Rebels: Reject both, create new.
  • Internal vs. External Social Control:
    • Internal: Personal values.
    • External: Societal pressures.
  • Informal vs. Formal Sanctions:
    • Informal: Unwritten rules (gossip).
    • Formal: Official rules (fines).
  • Theories of Deviance:
    • Strain Theory: Deviance from lack of access to goals.
    • Social Control Theory: Conformity due to social bonds.
    • Differential Association Theory: Learned deviance through association.
    • Labeling Theory: Deviant label causing further deviance.

This quiz covers essential concepts from two units: Research and Inquiry, and Anthropology. Learn about dependent and independent variables, research methods, and the fascinating study of primates. Explore the evolution of humans and their relationship with other primates through paleoanthropology.