Big ideas Flashcards
(6 cards)
Natural selection
Theory of evolution founded by Charles Darwin
Occurred when Charles Darwin took a trip to Galapagos island and observed finches with different beaks
Explains how species with certain traits will grow and evolve
Helps anthropologists understand human biology, culture, behavior and how species lived
Human evolutionary errors
Physiological or mental/emotional features Including using our body in the ways they were not intended to be used or having traits that are not useful in modern environments, causing problems, being uncomfortable, even though it is not fatal. Increase performance in one area, decreases performance in another area
How homo sapiens became the dominant species
Interbreeding through diseases
Neanderthals died in warm climates, because they only lived in cold climates.
Humans had a better immune system Humans had larger brain and cognitive skills; they could create complex ideas, communicate and teach things to people, pass onto generations
Humans are also smart - they could come up with tactics, strategies that help them in wars
Interbreeding was very unsuccessful in neanderthals, death in childbirth, smaller population.
Communication
Communication impacts culture because it reflects their beliefs and values.
Cultures are preserved through communication
Cultures that no longer exist are preserved through communication(ex: written). Ex: sanskrit ex: caveman paintings
Using words to talk about different times is complex communication(ex: passe compose et futur simple)
Communication and complex thoughts were the most dominant parts of homo sapiens
Linguistics
Those who are bilingual see the world different(worldviews).
Words that are used in a certain language are representative of that culture.
Thoughts and feelings are different in two languages
Three branches of linguistics, how linguistics impacted evolution and culture.
Evolution
The thought that species have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of earth
