Anthropology final exam

What are some of the main tenets of the American Anthropological Association's (AAA) code of ethics for anthropologists?

1) Do No Harm; 2) Be Open and Honest Regarding Your Work; 3) Obtain Informed Consent and Necessary Permissions; 4) Weigh Competing Ethical Obligations Due Collaborators and Affected Parties; 5) Make Your Results Accessible; 6) Protest and Preserve Your Records; 7) Maintain Respectful and Ethical Professional Relationships.

Middens

A midden (also kitchen midden or shell heap) is an old dump for domestic waste which may consist of animal bone, human excrement, botanical material, mollusc shells, sherds, lithics (especially debitage), and other artifacts and ecofacts associated with past human occupation. These features, therefore, provide a useful resource for archaeologists who wish to study the diets and habits of past societies

Subculture:

A subculture is a group of people within a culture that differentiates itself from the parent culture to which it belongs, often maintaining some of its founding principles. Subcultures develop their own norms and values regarding cultural, political and sexual matters

What is theory? Why do we need theory? Use an example to explain how theory is used in social science to analyze a problem

A theory is a statement that suggests a relationship among phenomena - it can explain as well as predict these relationships. It can reduce reality to an abstract set of principles. It is the source of hypotheses, can never be proven to be true (things can support it...) but can always be proven false - corroborated through empirical evidence. We need theory in anthropology to account for cultural variations (idk why)

Ethnographies:

An illuminative account of social life and culture in a particular social system based on multiple detailed observations of what people actually do in the social setting being observed.

In what ways is anthropology a holistic discipline?

Anthropology has a 4-field approach in which every category is interrelated. (cultural, physical/biological, linguistic, archaeology) This area of study is very broad, so this is a way to categorize and organize it while still being interrelated (also creates specializations in areas of study) You cannot speak of one area without also speaking of/relating to another? *refer to definition of anthropology It synthesizes the knowledge of many disciplines into a coherent study of what it means to be human.

Applied Anthropology:

Applied anthropology is anthropology put to use. It is any kind of anthropological research that is done to solve practical problems.

What were Franz Boas's contributions to Anthropology?

Boas is often referred to as the "Father of American Anthropology" because, in his role at Columbia, he trained the first generation of U.S. scholars in the field, encouraging the use of the scientific method into research. His primary contribution was the theory of cultural relativism. Famous anthropologists Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict were both his students, as was the writer Zora Neale Hurston.

Relativistic

Cultural relativism means that while the anthropologist is in the field, he or she temporarily suspends their own esthetic and moral judgements. The aim is to obtain a certain degree of "understanding" or "empathy" with the foreign norms and tastes.

Culture:

Culture is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities and habits of the individuals in these groups. Humans acquire culture through the learning processes of enculturation and socialization, which is shown by the diversity of cultures across societies.

culture shock:

Culture shock is an experience a person may have when one moves to a cultural environment which is different from one's own; it is also the personal disorientation a person may feel when experiencing an unfamiliar way of life

• Who is the Father of American anthropology?

Franz Uri Boas was a German-born American anthropologist and a pioneer of modern anthropology who has been called the "Father of American Anthropology". His work is associated with the movements known as Historical Particularism and Cultural Relativism.

What are the conditions like in the Kung resettlement camps? What happens to their norms and values after re-settlement? Why?

The conditions became a lot worse as the bushmen had 90% of their land taken, leading to people starting to conflict with each other over food and resources and became much more hostile due to the alcohol that had been supplied, people seceded and started farming settlements and the government suggested making the bushmen area a game reserve where farming would be forbidden. That led to the bushmen supporting themselves on a mixed economy of hunting and gathering, farming, and army supplies. Eventually 15 farming settlements became the Nyae Nyae farming cooperative. After re-settlement, egalitarianism diminished and men and women were no longer equal.

Enculturation:

The process of learning our own culture is called enculturation, while the process of learning another culture is called acculturation. Both of these happen on subconscious and conscious levels, take time and practice, and are never fully complete.

Archeology

The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains

Garbology

The study of modern refuse and trash as well as the use of trash cans, compactors and various types of trash can liners.

How does the status of women in Kung society change with resettlement? What contributes to the loss of status of women in resettlement camps?

There is little work for men as it is, so there is no work for women besides caring for the children. They do not contribute to the economy or hunt etc. and have no voice. Important to note that this is not on their own accord; it was not their decision. (whos was it? idk)

In the essay on the "House Gun..." by Scheper-Hughes, how are the cases of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Oscar Pistorius related?\

Trayvon and Michael were innocent black men that were killed because they were a perceived threat because of their race????????????? Armed white men attributed violent intent to black strangers Just talk about racism Yes, white fear.

Unilineal Evolutionism:

Unilineal evolution, also referred to as classical social evolution, is a 19th-century social theory about the evolution of societies and cultures. It was composed of many competing theories by various anthropologists and sociologists, who believed that Western culture is the contemporary pinnacle of social evolution.

Cultural Resource Management

a form of applied archaeology that involves identifying, evaluating and sometimes excavating sites before roads, dams and buildings are constructed

Etic

a perspective in ethnography that uses the concepts and categories of the anthropologist's culture to describe another culture (outsider's point of view, comparing it to your culture)

Emic

a perspective in ethnography that uses the concepts and categories that are relevant and meaningful to the culture under analysis (insider point of view)

Norms

a standard or pattern, especially of social behavior, that is typical or expected of a group.

Acculturation:

assimilation to a different culture, typically the dominant one.

Physical Anthropology

biological perspective. Focus is on evolutionary history and biological variation (subfields are primatology, paleo-anthropology, human variation and forensic anthropology) study of humans from a biological perspective. The subfield of anthropology that studies biological evolution of human beings and the contemporary physical variations among people of the world

Patterns of Culture

book by Ruth Benedict. Claimed that each society unconsciously chooses a limited number of cultural traits and that individuals within society internalize them through a wide range of enculturation practices. This results in similar ways of thinking and behaving that form a group personality pattern

Franz Boas

father of modern American anthropology; argued for cultural relativism and historical particularism

Cultural Anthropology

how different realms of life are interrelated. Has ethnographies and ethnologies. The scientific study of cultural similarities and differences wherever and in whatever form they may be found.

Paleo-anthropology:

interested in reconstructing the evolutionary record of the human species; they ask questions about the emergence of humans and how humans have evolved up to the present time. Study of human and nonhuman primate evolution through fossil remains

Human variation

studies how and why the physical traits of contemporary human populations vary throughout the world

Primatology:

study of human evolution and adaptation over time and space. The study of our nearest living relatives (apes, monkeys, prosimians) in their natural habitats for the purpose of gaining insights into the human evolutionary process

Anthropology

the integrated study of human nature, human society and human history (the study of humans) understanding origins (biological, cultural, evolutionary), behavior (past present; across time), thought systems and material possessions. What it means to be human - what we have, think, do and are

What is unique about American Anthropology?

It emphasized empiricism, anti-racism and preserving Native-American cultures. Also had an emphasis on fieldwork. Attracted women to the discipline.

Explain how Junger's essay on PTSD in the US is an example of "applying anthropology"

Junger's essay is "applying" anthropology vs applied because it is more emic and uses a first person narrative. Applying relies on a holistic approach, is ethnocentric, across a long span of time and has a cross cultural comparison. The PTSD article mirrors this as it takes a holistic view of awareness of the disorder and how we as a society treat it.

Linguistic Anthropology

Linguistic anthropology is the interdisciplinary study of how language influences social life.

Margaret Mead

Mead was best known for her studies of the nonliterate peoples of Oceania, especially with regard to various aspects of psychology and culture—the cultural conditioning of sexual behaviour, natural character, and culture change

How does Scheper-Hughes build and support her argument that gun ownership in the US and in South Africa is related to "white fear" of people of color?

Paranoid, rich, white upper class is afraid of non-white, black, minority communities.

What are some of the main methods used in doing an ethnography?

Participant observation, interviews and surveys. Immersing self in environment. Field notes, collect data.

Explain the statement, "Race as a biological category does not exist".

Race is not a biological factor; there is no genetic basis and it is not a part of evolution. No significant genetic variations between races but within races there are. Race is a cultural/social construct that we have made.

American Historicism / Historical Particularism:

Rejected a general theory of culture change. Believed that each society could only be understood in light of its particular history.

In Anderson's ethnography of gun owners, how do biblical mythologies influence gun rights groups' world view?

Sheep, sheepdogs and wolves sheep= willing to go on acting as if life isn't dangerous (a clear reference to advocates of gun control) but they require sheepdogs (gun owners) willing to live a harder life to keep the wolves (mass shooters and other violent criminals) from taking weaker members of the herd Good guys vs. bad guys debate, Yes. This has biblical origins of saints and sinners. They must be wrong because we are right. With monsters like the Vegas shooter, why would people be willing to hand over what they see as the most effective tool for keeping the wolves at bay? There's no rational reason that the devil still exists and encompasses all evil. He just is. God is good because he "just is"

Discuss the biological and social root causes of PTSD in the US. What does this imply for treatment options for PTSD?

Social root causes of PTSD, in regards to the war example in the article, is isolation/alienation. The war environment is very communal (you are always around people no matter what you're doing etc.) and coming back to american society is very different from that and at times, opposite. Recovery process needs to be social. Focus needs to be on family and community to put them in a situation of collective healing Treatments for PTSD are usually CBT, exposure therapy and psychotherapy Unsure of biological part....... Maybe has something to do with the lack of dopamine and oxytocin?

Based on Scheper-Hughes's essay "House Gun...", explain the processes by which structural violence becomes everyday violence.

Structural violence is enforced by racisms and in South Africa is continued after the aparthied regime. This leads to everyday violence which manifests in poor living conditions and bad economic standing, ignoring the rights of minorities, domestic violence, poor quality of education, and these everyday occurrences of violence "normalize" violence as part of the society. White fear of minorities becoming too wealthy and taking away white's control.

Symbols:

Symbols are the basis of culture. A symbol is an object, word, or action that stands for something else with no natural relationship that is culturally defined. Everything one does throughout their life is based and organized through cultural symbolism. Symbolism is when something represents abstract ideas or concepts.

Why is culture a biological characteristic for humans? Why do we need it?

Everyone has culture! It is an elemental part of being human and is essential for survival. It is innate and the means by which we as humans adapt to the environment Postnatal development - most development happens post nataly. Bipedalism Size of birth canal. Fire cooking size of teeth. Genital mutilation

Ethnocentrism

Evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture.

• What are some of the characteristics of "culture"?

Ferraro defines "culture" as "everything that people have, think and do as members of their society, and further explains that "it consist of material Objects, ideas, values, and attitude and normative or expected patterns of behavior, which is shared by at least two or more people 1）The learned nature of culture ；2）how culture influences biological processes ；3）cultural universals ；4）the ubiquity of culture change ；5）ethnocentrism ； and 6）the intergrated nature of culture. It is the description of these variations in behaviors within limits that constitutes the patterns of any specific culture Edward Taylor: "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society"

What issues did anthropologist Claire Sterk encounter during her fieldwork among prostitutes? What strategies did she use to deal with these problems?

First challenge was identifying locations where street prostitutions took place Asked around: law enforcement officials, health care providers, taxi drivers, bartenders, community representatives Being an unknown woman in the area makes you stick out like a sore thumb and people notice you... people would look away from her almost in fear of talking to her Refrain from presenting herself as an expert but important to show that you have knowledge on the matter Get people to trust her.... Immerse herself in their community and hang out with them. Give rides, babysit, buy groceries and listened to stories (things unrelated to the study to show you care) Also pimps freaked her out Just looked away or left

In "Eating Christmas in the Kalahari", what was it about Bushmen ways of life and Lee's role as an anthropologist that led to their reactions to his generosity?

He was not generous -- this is because he went to the Kalahari to study the hunting and gathering economy of the Kung and to accomplish this it was not essential to provide them with food or share his food with them or interfere with their food gathering activities. He liberally handed out tobacco and medical supplies. They glared with disparity and thought of him to be stingy and hard-hearted. Christmas ox, though, was his gift to them to say thank you for their cooperation for the past year. Thought the ox was too small and would leave them still hungry - they like/want the fat ones. JK IT WAS A JOKE. it is in their culture to do such things. Don't want people to boast and think too highly of themselves if they know they caught something huge etc. "There are no totally generous acts; they all have an element of calculation. One black ox does not wipe out a year of careful manipulation of gifts given to serve your own ends." What he did for the Bushmen is what they do for each other on a daily basis

If you were an anthropologist, how would you go about designing a research project and implementing a solution that would ultimately improve on a wood burning cook stove

Health issue; pulmonary issues with lungs, eye sight, heart etc. Gendered situation- women are the ones cooking so they are experiencing the health issues (esp. because it's in an enclosed space) Children are also being affected bc they hang around their mothers. (Men not affected really) When are the times they cook the most (time of max use)? HOW to improve this? Change the ventilation of the house or get a different kind of stove, such as gas etc.? Does the culture/area they live in allow for these changes? How will they be implemented? How will they be paid for? Local or gov level? My example: I would design a research project that would improve the ventilation of the use of the stove in the house and/or possibly situate the kitchen in an area that does not affect the rest of the house, especially where the kids play. Wouldn't change the type of stove bc if they are using wood burning in the first place, they are presumably in a place that does not have electricity and it would be hard/very expensive to get electricity there for everyone. Women are kind of a minority - only cook and clean and care for children - so take it up on a local level first and educate the people in the society about what was wrong/going on. Would then take this to the government and ask them to fund it Need to get IRB approval and also approval from the host country and the people within the society/culture Collect data and interact with people in a genuine way- don't show that you are an expert but show that you have knowledge on the matter and that you care Be an advocate for women. Be an educator about all of this. Implement education programs???? Idfk

Holistic

Holism is the idea that various systems should be viewed as wholes, not merely as a collection of parts.

Backstage:

How someone acts when they are alone

Frontstage

How someone acts when they know they are being watched, reflecting internalized norms and expectations for behavior.