Chapter 1

Question 1

Cultural relativism

Answer 1

The idea that a culture should be understood based on its own values and context not judged by the standards of another culture.

Example: in some cultures arranged marriages are common but instead of seeing it as outdated cultural relativism asks us to understand it within the cultural context.

Question 2

Sytemics

Answer 2

The study of complex systems and the interrelationships between components within a culture or society.
Example: : Examining how family structure, economy, and religion interact in a given society.

Question 3

The Subfields of Anthropology:Anthropology is divided into four main subfields:

Answer 3

Cultural Anthropology: Focuses on cultural behaviors and practices.
Archaeology: Studies past human societies through material remains.
Biological Anthropology: Examines human biology and evolution.
Linguistic Anthropology: Studies language and communication patterns within cultures.

Question 4

Ethnocentrism:

Answer 4

The belief that one’s own culture is superior to others, leading to biased judgments.
Example: Judging a non-Western culture’s religious practices as primitive without understanding their deeper meaning.
Challenges: Ethnocentrism can create misunderstandings and reinforce racism, as it often devalues non-Western cultures.

Question 5

Understanding of Anthropology:

Answer 5

Anthropology is the study of humans, their cultures, and societies, aimed at understanding diversity and the shared aspects of human life.

Question 6

Moral Relativism:

Answer 6

The idea that moral standards vary by culture and that no one set of ethics is universally valid.
Example: In some societies, practices like corporal punishment are seen as acceptable, while in others, they are considered unethical.

Question 7

Society

Answer 7

: A group of individuals who share common social institutions, laws, customs, and values.
Example: The U.S. society, where people share legal systems, educational institutions, and common cultural practices.

Question 8

Importance of Anthropology and the Workforce:

Answer 8

: Anthropology provides insight into cultural diversity and human behavior, making it invaluable in global business, education, healthcare, and policy-making.
Example: Understanding cultural differences can improve international business strategies or healthcare approaches in different countries.