Chapter One

What Is Anthropology?

What We Will Learn How does anthropology differ from other social

and behavioral sciences? What is the four- field approach to the

discipline of anthropology? How can anthropology help solve social

problems? What is meant by “cultural relativism,” and why

is it important? What skills will students develop from the study

of anthropology?

What is Anthropology? Anthropology is the study of people

their origins their development, and contemporary

variations wherever and whenever they have

been found.

Branches of Anthropology: Physical Anthropology Paleontology Primatology Human variation Forensic Anthropology Applied Physical Anthropology

Branches of Anthropology: Archaeology Historical archaeology Prehistoric archaeology Contract archaeology Applied archaeology

Branches of Anthropology: Anthropological Linguistics Historical linguistics Descriptive linguistics Ethnolinguistics Sociolinguistics Applied linguistics

Branches of Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology Economic anthropology Psychological anthropology Educational anthropology Medical anthropology Urban anthropology Political anthropology Applied cultural anthropology

Physical Anthropology Study of humans from a biological perspective. Areas of investigation:

Paleoanthropology - emergence of humans and how humans have evolved.

Human variation - how and why the physical traits of human populations vary.

Primatology Study of anatomy and social behavior of

nonhuman primate species: gorillas, baboons, and chimpanzees.

Effort to learn about human evolution by studying contemporary nonhuman primates in similar environments.

Tool-making skills found in chimpanzees help explain human strategies for adapting to the environment.

Archaeology Study people from the past by analyzing

material culture they leave behind: Artifacts Example: tools, arrowheads.

Features Examples: foundations and fireplaces.

Ecofacts Examples: bones, seeds, and wood.

Archaeologists Historic archaeologists:

Reconstruct the cultures of people who used writing and about whom historical documents have been written.

Prehistoric archaeologists: Study the human record of cultures that

existed before the development of writing.

Anthropological Linguistics Historical linguistics

Study of emergence of language and how specific languages have diverged over time.

Descriptive linguistics Study of sound systems, grammatical

systems, and the meanings attached to words in specific languages.

Anthropological Linguistics Ethnolinguistics

Study the relationship between language and culture.

Sociolinguistics Study the relationship between

language and social relations.

Cultural Anthropology

1. Areas of Specialization

2. Urban anthropology

3. Medical anthropology

4. Educational anthropology

5. Psychological anthropology

Holism A distinguishing feature of the discipline of

anthropology is its holistic approach to the study of human groups. Anthropology involves both biological and

sociocultural aspects of humanity. The time frame goes from the earliest

beginnings of humans to the present. Anthropology studies all varieties of people

wherever they may be found.

Holism Anthropology studies many different aspects of human

experience: Family structure Marital regulations House construction Methods of conflict resolution Means of livelihood Religious beliefs Language Space usage, and art

Responding to Unfamiliar Cultures Ethnocentrically

Responding from the context of one’s own cultural perspective.

Cultural relativist Responding within the context of the

other culture.

Limits of Cultural Relativism1. If every society is unique and can only

be evaluated in terms of its own standards, a cross-cultural comparison impossible.

2. There is no behavior that could be considered immoral if the people who practice it consider it acceptable or it functions for the well-being of the society.

Emic Versus Etic Approaches The emic approach (insider view) seeks

to describe another culture in terms of the categories, concepts, and perceptions of the people being studied.

In the etic approach (outsider view), anthropologists use their own categories and concepts to describe the culture under analysis.

Value of Anthropology Individual

The study of different cultures provides a better understanding of one’s own culture and develops valuable leadership skills.

Societal Understanding different cultures can

contribute to the solution of pressing societal problems.

Quick Quiz

1. The study of humans from a biological perspective is called

a) anthropological linguistics.

b) zoology.

c) forensic anthropology.

d) physical anthropology.

Answer: d The study of humans from a biological

perspective is physical anthropology.

2. ________ are objects that have been made or modified by human beings.

a) Features

b) Objects

c) Artifacts

d) Ecofacts

Answer: c Artifacts are objects that have been

made or modified by human beings.

3. A distinguishing feature of anthropology is its ________ approach to the study of human groups.

a) emic

b) etic

c) ethnocentric

d) holistic

Answer: d A distinguishing feature of anthropology is

its holistic approach to the study of human groups.

4. Cultural relativism is the idea that any part of culture must be viewed in its proper cultural context.

a) True

b) False

Answer: true Cultural relativism is the idea that any part

of culture must be viewed in its proper cultural context.

5. ________ is the belief that one's own culture is superior to all others.

a) Holism

b) Ethnocentrism

c) Cultural relativism

d) Emeticism

Answer: b Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's

own culture is superior to all others.