week 2: methodology & history Flashcards
fieldwork
primary research method - anthropologists are directly in contact w/ the studied society
off the veranda
phrase that describes ‘field work’ done from home - unreliable, uses key informants
etic perspective
an outsider’s view of a culture
structural functionalism
theory that views society as a system of parts - kinship, religion, law, functions to maintain order
rich points
moments in field work where differences create opportunities for research
situated knowledge
concept that knowledge is always shaped by perspective - not universal
ethnocentrism
tendency to view your own culture as the most important/correct
participant observation
observing while also participating in the activities of the studied
emic perspective
an insider’s view of a culture
julian steward
used the evolutionary theory - thought you could research culture objectively
[reverse] culture shock
a discomfort when common sense is no longer common sense in another culture
marxism
theoretical approach that examines how economy and class shape culture
polyvocality
when multiple perspectives are included in ethnographic research
the armchair anthropologist
form of research that does not involve direct contact
positivist mode
an objective approach involving quantifiable data
inductive approach
collects evidence from fieldwork than creates the hypothesis afterwards - specifics to general
native anthropologist
conducts research in their own community
key informant
individuals who are more knowledgeable about their culture, aids anthropologists
thick description
coined by clifford geertz - describes the cultural event and provides context of where it occurs
post modernism
allows people to interpret their own situation
reflexivity
practice of critically examining one’s role and bias - their influence in research
deductive approach
creating a hypothesis, then designing a case study - general to specific
