Anthropology Flashcards
(102 cards)
What is anthropology?
the study of the lives and cultures of human beings, both alive and dead, examining how they live, think, communicate, produce, and interact with their social and physical environment.
What is ethnocentrism?
The tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one’s own culture, often leading to bias and judgment.
What is the major goal of cultural anthropology?
Cultural relativism, which is the belief that each culture is important and unique, deserving respect.
Why do Kayan women wear neck rings?
Reasons include protection from becoming slaves, enhancing attractiveness by exaggerating sexual dimorphism, resembling a dragon (important in folklore), and cultural identity associated with beauty.
What are some characteristics of culture?
Politics, economics, family, communication, recreation and leisure, war, knowledge and beliefs, and material culture.
What is ethnology?
The study of the origins and cultures of different races and peoples, including marriage customs, kinship patterns, political and economic systems, religion, art, music, and technology.
What is ethnography?
Extensive notes taken by ethnologists during participant observation, providing an in-depth description of a particular culture (a case study)
Why are ethnographies important?
They provide insight into daily life in unfamiliar environments, teach about global issues, and offer holistic, multifaceted accounts of cultural practices.
What is participant observation?
A method where researchers live and participate in the culture they study to gain in-depth cultural understanding, though it can be subjective and should be complemented with objective data.
What did Margaret Mead conclude in her study of Samoan adolescent girls?
She concluded that adolescence was a stress-free time for Samoan girls due to their sexual freedom, suggesting sex roles are determined by culture, not biology.
What is the difference between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism?
Cultural relativism is respecting and accepting other cultures, while ethnocentrism is judging other cultures by one’s own values.
Why was Margaret Mead’s study controversial?
Derek Freeman later found Samoan sexual practices to be restrictive, suggesting Mead was misled by her informants. Paul Shankman noted both anthropologists were correct for their times, as Samoan culture had changed significantly.
What did Ruth Benedict do during WWII?
She researched Japanese culture for the U.S. government to help understand and defeat the Japanese army, using cultural materials and interviews with Japanese immigrants and Japanese-Americans.
What is netnography?
A method of studying online social behaviors in digital environments, focusing on the perceived and symbolic meanings within social contexts.
What are rites of passage?
Culturally defined ceremonies, rituals, or events that mark a transition from one stage of life to another.
What are some common ceremonies to mark different stages of life in most cultures?
Birth, puberty, marriage, reproduction, old age, and death.
What are the three stages of the rites of passage process?
Separation, transition, and incorporation.
What happens during the separation stage?
The individual is removed from society to prepare for their transition, often involving geographic change and a change in physical appearance.
What occurs during the transition stage?
The individual is isolated from society to prepare for reentry in a new role, which can last from a few hours to several years.
What happens during the incorporation stage?
The individual reenters society in their new role, sometimes marked by tattoos, scars, body paint, or new clothing.
Why are rites of passage important?
They help understand growth, maintain community stability, provide entertainment, and pass on traditions and values.
What is the difference between secular and religious rites?
Secular rites are not related to religion, while religious rites are associated with belief in God or a religion.
What is gender?
A cultural construction that classifies people, often based on assigned sex, and includes a spectrum that recognizes more gender diversity.
What questions do anthropologists ask about gender?
How deeply is gender tied to cultural practices? In what ways does a person learn their gender? What are definitions and practices of gender in a particular time and place?
