The Social Sciences: The Social Sciences: AnthropologyAnthropology

The Social SciencesThe Social Sciences Anthropology

Study human life throughout history Examines biological and cultural diversity Comparative and holistic

Sociology Study of the groups and societies humans build

and the way social relationships affect behavior Focuses on groups and social institutions

Psychology Study of behavior and mental processes in contexts Focuses on individuals

General AnthropologyGeneral Anthropology Study of the whole of human

existence: Past, present, future Biology, society, language, culture

General AnthropologyGeneral Anthropology Study of the whole of human

existence: Past, present, future Biology, society, language, cultureOrganized life in groups

General AnthropologyGeneral Anthropology Study of the whole of human

existence: Past, present, future Biology, society, language, culture

Traditions and customs that govern beliefs and behaviors

Transmitted through learning

General AnthropologyGeneral Anthropology Study of the whole of human existence:

Past, present, future Biology, society, language, culture

Grew during the late 19th century Influenced by:

Evolutionary theory Reports from travelers to non-Western societies Discoveries in biology and geology

General AnthropologyGeneral Anthropology Subdisciplines:

Cultural (sociocultural) Archeological Biological Linguistic

Common theme: Humans are biological and cultural beings evolving through time

Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology Study society and culture

Explain cultural similarities and differences What aspects of culture are universal?

Generalized? Particular? Culture is:

Learned (often unconsciously) Based on symbols Shared and integrated Both stable and changing Forms subcultures Is exceedingly complex

Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology Ethnography

Based largely on fieldwork Ethnopicture: an in-depth examination of

a particular culture or society

Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology Ethnology

Based on cross-cultural comparison Uses data gathered by ethnographers and

archaeologists to identify and explain cultural differences and similarities

Archaeological Archaeological AnthropologyAnthropology

Reconstructs behavior and cultural patterns by examining material remains

Traditional archaeology focused on discovering grand sites

Some archaeologists‘going local’ tolook at daily life

Archaeological Archaeological AnthropologyAnthropology

Not always glamorous!

Archaeological Archaeological AnthropologyAnthropology

Not always glamorous!

Archaeological Archaeological AnthropologyAnthropology

Must infer cultural patterns from artifacts and ruins Non-native materials indicate trade Buildings give clues about the living

conditions

Mt. Vernon Distillery DigMt. Vernon Distillery Dig

Biological AnthropologyBiological Anthropology Seek to understand human adaptation,

variation, and change Primatology

Biological AnthropologyBiological Anthropology Seek to understand human adaptation,

variation, and change Primatology Forensics

Biological AnthropologyBiological Anthropology Seek to understand human adaptation,

variation, and change Primatology Forensics Genetics

Biological AnthropologyBiological Anthropology Seek to understand human adaptation,

variation, and change Primatology Forensics Genetics Sociobiology

Linguistic AnthropologyLinguistic Anthropology Initially documented unwritten,

‘disappearing’ languages Now those languages have been

recorded or lost—very few left

Linguistic AnthropologyLinguistic Anthropology Language is constantly changing Now broadens view to many types of

communication

Using anthropological knowledge to solve practical problems Forensic anthropology Linguists Globalization Garbology

Applied AnthropologyApplied Anthropology