Cultural Anthropology Midterm Study Guide

Anthropology 2 Midterm Study Guide Professor Li Zhang Midterm Date October 30, 2012 calendar week 1 What is the scope of heathen anthropology? dissertate its focalize of inquiry, approach, and major changes everywhere time. ?Cultural anthropology is concerned with the character and extent of complaisant and heathen differences among different societies. Focus on Inquiry Why in that location be different grows and how they came slightly and ar affected or changing. Focus on Approach Approaches could be urban, political, dour, medical, psychological, environmental, feminist, and so forth Goals ?Understanding how differences among societies ar shaped. Understanding the unequal indicator relations between societies produced by compoundism, imperialism and contemporary global pr impressices. ?To compargon the perspectives of different societies and how each of them interprets the world. Changes in heathenish anthropology everywhere time ?Used to be a way to levys infer iority of others and justify oppression and ethnocentrism. Now its mostly or so organism critical of inequality, ? We also do fieldwork in western, developed countries. ?There is much(prenominal) globalization now. ?Early anthropology focused on studying isolated, tribal societies. ?Over time they began to study large urban industrial societies. like a shot the scope of pagan anthropology has expanded into various sub departments, such as urban political, and medical. Compargon the two major schools of early anthropological thought British cordial anthropology and French structuralism in terms of their primary concern and focus. British Social Anthropology ?Emerged in early 20th century. Main founding figure was Malinowski. ?Radcliffe-Brown, Evans-Pritchard, Gluckman, and Leach also were definitive figures. ?Two theoretical foundations were functionalism and structural functionalism 0Functionalism Explanation of why certain social institutions exist. Explains the cultural r esponses to basic separate needs that atomic number 18 biological and/or physiological. 0Example nookynibalism may be explained with a survivalist function ?Structural Functionalism Concerned less with individual needs and actions and more than with the place of the individuals in the social order. ?Figures out the alliance of individuals to the larger social body. ?Example Cannibal Tours colonists arrived and stripped villages of sacred objects and introduced European monetary scheme to make the villagers subordinateDuring these early years, social anthropology was deeply intertwined with the British colonial government that provided the financial support for research and teaching in anthropology. The primary interest was in Africa to study their languages and generate knowledge about their political and legal systems. French Structuralism ?Primary figure in school of thought is Levi Strauss. ?Focused on the elementary structures of kinship, mythology, and language. ?Som e concerns include the patterns or underlying structures and how obviously unrelated things may actually be from a complex system of interrelated parts. Form is emphasized over content. ?The internal logic of a glossiness and its relationship to the structures of human federation and human mind. Comparison ?Both schools of thought are concerned with studying the structure and layout of the society. ?British social anthropology is concerned more with the relation of the individual to society succession French structuralism is concerned with how individuals are connected to one a nonher to form the society (mythologies, language, human mind). Week 2 How does Edward Taylor define culture? Discuss the four key aspects of culture by providing one example for each aspect. Examples target be drawn from the readings, movie houses, or other sources including your own observation. British anthropologist Edward Taylor defines culture as a complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, a rts, morals, law, customs, and every other capabilities and habits acquired by a man as a member of society. The four elements of culture are 1. Culture is conditioned. ?Culture toilet be learned consciously and unconsciously through interacting and imitating the community around us. It end happen in informal settings such as your home, or formal places like churches and schools. Example as children we learn to imitate words we hear adults turn to and learn to speak the language. Proper etiquette is taught by looking at how others be contri excepte or from interacting with bulk who teach it to them. 2. Culture is shared. ?Members of a group share ballpark beliefs, values, memories, and hope. ?Example American culture is identified with individualism, spot Chinese culture is identified with collectivism. This difference can be seen through the food and meals they choose. Americans usually wear upont like to share their meals and order individual plates while the Chinese typi cally share their food and eat family-style. Example Eating Christmas in the Kalahari by Richard Lee 0For Christmas, Lee buys the largest ox to show his gratitude for the Bushmens hospitality during his stay. He becomes confused when everyone in the village says that the ox he bought was no good and that is has no meat on it. 0In Bushmen village, it is part of their culture and tradition to insult each other so that people dont become arrogant. Lee learned this by asking the Bushmen about it, showing how culture is shared by communication and interaction. 3. Culture is symbolic. Creation of culture depends on the humans great power to use symbols and be able to fool symbolic thought. ?We are able to flop substance to a thing or event and grasp the meaning. It can be arbitrary and conventional and depends on the social context that is widely accepted by society. However, the context can vary for each society. ?Examples -McDonalds has become a symbol of fast food and unhealthy eat ing in America, but it is viewed as risque class and advance(a) in China. ?Colors tend to have symbolic meanings attached to them. Red represents love, yellow represents sustenance, black represents death, etc. . Culture is dynamic. ?Culture isnt a static cage to lock people in. It is something that changes over time. ?People use their culture creatively and actively instead of rigidly following the rules. ?There are some differences in culture between groups and societies, but the differences arent absolute. ?Cultural hybridization allows different cultural traditions and practices to merge together. 0Examples Food culture fusion of food features a combination of different elements of cultures from all over the world. Western psychotherapy combines Buddhist meditation with western psychology.What is ethnocentrism? Why is it problematic? In your discussion, draw examples from either Bohannans Shakespeare in the Bush or the film Cannibal Tours. How would a diffusionist argue on ce against ethnocentrism? Ethnocentrism is the tendency to use ones own culture as a yardstick to mea accepted other cultural practices and beliefs. Tendency for people to see their own culture as superior and natural. People make judgments qualified to their own cultural lens, giving them a condense perspective they see all other cultures as inferior to theirs.Examples Cannibal Tours The western tourists continuously compared the natives lifestyle to their own and saw their culture as primal and backwards. They saw the natives as uncivilized and poor people who lacked the technology they possessed back at home. Bohannans Shakespeare in the Bush While reading through Hamlet, both the storyteller and the audience exhibit ethnocentrism. What Bohannan took for granted and viewed as common sense were things that the elders did not extrapolate because it didnt exist in their culture.Ghosts and the afterlife did not exist in the natives culture, and young people should not fight agai nst their elders. Elders constantly made remarks about the play as if they knew what was going on, accept that they were telling her the true meaning of Hamlet and how her interpretation of Hamlet is actually wrong. According to Franz Boas, no culture is pure and authentic. Instead, cultural boundaries are porous and cultural exchanges have long existed in human societies. 0Diffusionism shows that all cultures are interrelated to one other, so ethnocentrism does not exist. In Ralph Lintons One Hundred percent American, he shows that cultures are not 100% from their own country and that culture is diffused and adapted by various places as part of their culture. What is cultural relativism? Discuss its pros and cons. What is your take on it? Support your argument with evidence and analysis. Cultural Relativism is the view opposite of ethnocentrism believes that one shouldnt judge the values and practices of other people according to their own standards. The main idea is to see thin gs from the point of view of those who live their lives.This allows the anthropologist to fully appreciate another culture. Pros ?Objective approach in doing research helps anthropologists another culture more thoroughly. ?Promotes unity between cultures and between groups of people in general since it would help people respect and understand each other. Cons ?Helps justify arguable practices such as female genitalia mutilation, cannibalism, animal sacrifice, etc. *I am of the opinion that cultural relativism is an important philosophy to apply to any anthropological research, however a delicate balance must always strive to be maintained.To me, respect should always be asserted, but human rights should have potence over political correctness. -malinowski According to Malinowski, what is a holistic approach to doing ethnographic research and why is it important? What constitutes the proper conditions for ethnographic fieldwork? Explain three cardinal ethnographic techniques (dont just list them, but explain in greater detail). A holistic approach in doing ethnographic work is to understand a culture as a whole and all aspects are connected/intertwined and must be understood in relation to one another. The coating of the ethnographer should be to provide an anatomy of the culture, understand the facts and put the focus into a broader context. You must understand that all the small institutions of a culture, such as religion, education, kinship, are all related to one another in order to grasp the meaning as a whole. The proper conditions for ethnographic fieldwork is to observe the details of the natives family and communal life by staying as close in contact with them as affirmable and cutting yourself off from the company of anyone else other than the natives.You must immerse yourself into the topical anesthetic society for a long duration because there is a difference between sporadic plunging into the company of the natives and really living with them and connecting with them. Three central ethnographic techniques 1. Observation and participant observation. ?Careful and detailed observation is important to collect info to answer questions, which requires a lot of patience. ?You should try to be objective and come on away from any bias thoughts or else the collected data will be compromised.You must also remember to be invisible and make sure they dont know they are being observed or else the data will be inaccurate. ?Participant observation is when you participate in events with the natives in order to analyze and take notes. 0This allows you to get closer to the natives and helps you to better understand their culture through your experience and interaction with them. 2. Interviews. ?Interviews involve asking several individual questions to get a better understanding of the culture from a natives point of view. The goal of the interviews is to see a pattern that emerges in the answers you receive. ?Interviews can be informal, semi-structured, or structured. ?Informal interview an interview that doesnt follow a straight schedule and takes advantage of the opportunity when it arises. ?Semi-structured / structured interview interviews that are planned out with the questions you wishing to ask written eat and planned beforehand. 0Semi-structured interviews may have some open ended questions. 0Interviews are the most legal method and are the core of ethnographic research. When you interview people you know, you may get introduced to people that you could possibly interview, and you can therefore gather up more data and opinions for your research. This is called the snowballing effect. 3. Key informants and life histories. ?Also called cultural consultants. These people are important figures that are able to give you more insight and information in various aspects of a culture. 0They are the few people who are willing to tell you more and explain in clear details while incorporating their own(prenominal) experience to help you understand.Key Informant Someone you build an amicable relationship with, who acts as a representative of the culture. Generally someone in a high power who will be able to explain the ins and outs of the culture from an intimately informed POV. What are the core issues in the code of ethics for anthropologists (discuss at to the lowest degree three)? Why is it important to follow them? The three core issues in the code of ethics for anthropologists include 1. Full disclosure. ?It is important for the anthropologist to be open and honest to the people s/he is studying. Must inform them of every aspect of the study and any consequences that may happen as a result of the study. 2. Informed Consent. ?The people being studied must be well informed about the procedure, and the anthropologist must have them sign a paper or ask for oral consent before proceeding with the study. 0This is to make sure that they have fully agreed to the terms and have proof that the y have willingly volunteered themselves. 3. Potential Harm. 0It is the anthropologists duty to inform the subject of any consequential harm that may come to them. The anthropologist must ensure not to harm safety, dignity, or privacy of any parties involved. ?It is important to follow the code of ethics in order to avoid any lawsuits and also to make sure that the people being studied are well informed and know exactly what they are signing up for so that no harm will come to them. Week 4 Today most anthropologists recognize that race is a social construct that does not have a biological reality. Discuss how Boas and Montagu each defend this view. What evidence from modern catchings does the film Race The Power of an Illusion provide to further support this position?Franz Boas also referred to as the Father of American Anthropology, talks about race as a social construction in his paper, Mind of Primitive Man ? He believes that racial groups never existed, and that races are not as pure as we imagine them to be because migration patterns in the past intertwined cultures together and created diverse groups of people. ?Boas talks about purity and boundedness, stating that biological significance is only possible when races have uniform, closely inbred groups where family lines are alike. However, these conditions cant be achieved with humans, especially in large populations. He also argues about the instability of populations, meaning that the physical and psychological attributes of people are dynamic and fluctuate constantly to adapt to various circumstances. 0The biological, linguistic, and cultural traits of people are the product of historical festering and the environment. Ashley Montagu in her article, The Concept of Race in the Human Species in the Light of Genetics, uses the idea of cooking an omelette as a metaphor for the making of race. 0When an omelet is made, the end result may all look the same, but the ingredients used to make the omelet may v ary.This is the basis for the anthropological view of race in that although groups of people may have different appearances and characteristics, everyone is essentially the same. 0His argument is based on modern genetics, stating that no two humans are genetically similar to one another, therefore races cannot categorize groups of people since they dont share the same genetic background. Racial characteristics are artificial and have no genetic base. Example of the use of modern genetics in the film, Race The Power of an Illusion. In the film, a group of students performed an experiment to compare genetic similarities to other classmates using blood samples, skin color, and saliva swaps. The result of the experiment turned out to be different from what they expected. The students found that their genes were most similar to people they least expected, and that there was no correlation between their genetic patterns and their skin color. Dr. Richard Lewontin, with the use of gel ele ctrophesis, found that 85% of all variations among humans are between individuals of the same topical anaesthetic population. There is as much difference between two individuals of the same race as there is between individuals of different races, so race cant be determined biologically. What is scientific racism? Why is it flawed and dangerous? Use one of the examples discussed in the lecture to support your argument (Morton versus Gould or The Bell Curve). How do anthropologists understand sex and patriarchy? Provide two examples (from the lecture or your own observation) to show that gender roles change from society to society and from time to time.Scientific Racism is the attempt to prove scientifically that some races are not just different, but superior to others. 0Scientific techniques and observations are usually utilized to prove this belief but the collected data is usually inaccurate and tainted with racist beliefs. Example Dr. Samuel George Morton versus Stephen J. Goul d. Samuel George Morton attempted to prove that some races were superior to others by mensuration the skulls of people of different races, He believed that the cranial capacity of the skulls would tell how intelligent people were. His results concluded that white people were the superior race among other groups, because his measurements showed that they had the largest skulls compared to the others. ?Stephen J. Gould retell the research and found several errors with Mortons conclusion. 0Morton manipulated his data by including more female skulls for blacks than for whites, so the measurement for the skulls of the blacks turned out to be smaller. 0When Gould measured again fairly, the average size of a black persons skull turned out to be much larger than the skull of a white persons. The data was manipulated because of Mortons bias. His beliefs caused him to already have the results in mind that he wanted, regardless of what is actually true. Example The Bell Curve 0A book written by Richard J. Hernstein and Charles Murray argues that blacks behave inferior genes of intelligence compared to whites, and so they naturally score lower on IQ tests. Their low IQ scores are what prevent the blacks from attaining a high level job, and it is also because of their low intelligence that they have a higher(prenominal) crime rate. The controversy that comes with this claim is that if the government agrees with it, then the blacks should not receive social welfare for their low-income families because they are genetically inferior. Scientific racism is usually incorrectly proven using data that has been deliberately altered to support bias beliefs, so the results are not accurate. The danger that can result from this if it is actually proven, the groups may be neglected or abused, or at the very least set with social injustice. Gender All the traits that a culture assigns to and indicates in men and women. It is a social construct of male and female characteristics a nd roles. ?Gender differences come from culture rather than biology. ?Patriarchy A social and political system rule by men in which women have inferior social and political status. 0Females are carried out as subordinates to men in this system. Most common in patrilineal societies (involving counting the descent line of the fathers line, which includes property inheritance, names, titles, etc. ) Examples of gender roles changing between societies and through time ?Forager/hunter and gatherer societiesThis face of society shows a typical gender division of labor. Men were responsible for(p) for hunting and fishing while women were responsible for gathering fruits and nuts. Men would usually bring in more food than women, so the men had a higher social rank in these societies. When women are the ones to contribute more food, then the women would have an equal relationship with the men. ?Agriculture societies Men are assigned to heavy labor such as plowing the field, while women are responsible for domestic work, child rearing, and light far work around the house. These societies tend to have a stronger gender inequality. Industrial societies Gender roles in industrial societies tend to change over time in response to economic conditions and social climates. earlier the 1900s, it was common for men, women, and children to work in factories. Things began to change in the 1900s with the large influx of immigrants that increased the male labor force and also brought up ideas that women werent fit to work in the factories and should stay home and take care of the kids instead, During WW2, things changed again as men are drafted into the military and women began working in factories again to modify the gap.The womens return to the factory was received in a positive notion and was even viewed as patriotic. What are gender stereotypes? What is the role of advertising in making and reinforcing gender stereotypes and normalcy? Draw two concrete examples from the film (Killing US Softly) in your discussion. Gender stereotypes oversimplified yet strongly held ideas about the characteristics of men and women. Advertisements primarily target women and girls about beauty and the ideal body they should have, as well as a childlike / quiet demeanor. Many girls express the fear of being fat, and the number one wish of girls between the age of 11-17 is to be thinner. ?Most of the people who suffer from eating disorders are girls who are self-conscious and obsessive about their body. Examples in Killing us Softly ?Ads of women of color tend to show them with animal prints which turn them into animals rather than human beings. ?Ads about women who lost weight typically say they were able to get married because they lost weight.This gives the idea that women who are fat probably wont ever get married, and this serves to lower womens self-esteems even further and increase their drive to become skinnier and purchase products to expedite the process. ?Images of thin women are often used to silence women and put them down. ?Ads show pictures of women exhibiting peaceful body language such as their hands over their mouths and faces. ?When there is an ad of a man and a woman, the man is usually taller and is looking down at the woman, while the woman looks up and smiles compliantly. This encourages female submission to men and conveys the message that women should be quiet and obedient. According to Martins article, how do stereotypical gender roles shape scientific accounts of the egg-sperm romance? Stereotypical gender roles shape scientific accounts by how the sperm and the egg are described and how they function. ?The sperm is described as masculine, active, agile, and penetrating, while the egg is described as passive, feminine, fragile and dependent. ?The egg is portrayed as a damsel in distress who waits quietly in a still spot for her knight in shining armor, the sperm, to fight his way to her. The female reproductive system is s een as wasteful and a failure while the male reproductive system is seen as productive. ?Scientists question why women are born with so many eggs only to have most of it go to waste, yet the dont consider the excessive amount of sperm men create as a waste. ?New research found that the sperms arent that forceful and what actually matters is that the surface of the egg is what traps the sperm, showing that eggs are more active than previously thought. This shows that the relationship between the egg and the sperm is interactive. tear down with this new research, the egg is still viewed in a bad light. ?The more active role of the egg is seen as too aggressive and the reproductive system of women as a dangerous place since it tries to kill sperm cells that enter it. How does Ortner explain why women are universally put in an inferior position to men? Do you agree with her argument? Why or why not? Support your view with evidence. Ortner argues that the subordination of women is a uni versal idea by referring to how a lot of anthropological literatures show accounts of how women are devalued in society. Symbolic acts of women are believed to justify their inferior role. Menstruation is considered a symbolic act that restricts the freedom of women. During a womens menstruation period, she was not allowed to come near sacred objects because of the fear that she might contaminate them. Menstruation was believed to be a affright of warfare. ?Social and political structures also serve to affect the status of women in societies, and exclude women from participating in areas with people of high authority. ?Women are associated with nature while men are associated with culture, and culture is typically viewed as superior to nature.Men use their creativity to create technology and symbols that are transcendental and last for eternity, while women are restricted by their natural duties that involve reproduction and creating life. Destruction of life by men has more presti ge and is viewed as transcendental, while creation of life by women is regarded as less important. The things that men create last forever while what women produce are doomed to die. The reason why women are associated with nature more is because of their physiology, social role, and psyche. ?No I do not agree with Ortner.I believe that these views are socially constructed, and that weve evolved past them. Week 5 What are the v different economic systems in the world? Define each briefly. ?Forager hunting and gathering moving from place to place gender roles due to unequal division of labor, egalitarian (old people are respected). ?Horticulture Cultivation with simple tools, fields not permanent property (slash and burn) mobility, depend on rainfall. ?Agriculture Use animals for food and labor. These groups are less mobile, live in larger and more permanent settlements, and use advanced irrigation systems. Pastoral Focus on domesticated animals for food nomadic. ?Industrial mechan ise forces, factories, and technology for mass production increased population density. Briefly explain the three basic principles that govern exchanges according to Karl Polanyi. ?The Market Principle Supply and Demand, Capitalism. chocolate beans they were selling. Export of crop. ?Redistribution Socialism Goods move from local level to center taxation, welfare. Redistributing the pigs and wealth within the people. ?Reciprocity exchange between those who are socially equal ( leave economies) want to give back.What is a moral economy? What is a system of total service defined by Marcel Mauss? ?Moral Economy A type of economy in which economic activities are an integral part of social relations and moral obligations. scotch and non-economic activities and institutions are embedded in one another. Economic activities and exchange systems are governed by conceptions of social justice, norms, and expectations. ?Systems of total service The exchange is not solely about property and w ealth, but also about the social and moral obligations. Part of the more general and enduring contract.According to Marcel Mauss, why does a gift have the special power to cause its recipient to break it back? ?The Power Gifts are never free, so they give rise to reciprocal exchanges. The giver does not merely give an object, but also a part of him/herself. This intrinsic bondage weighs on the conscience of the recipient. What is potlatch? How do Ruth Benedict, Marcel Mauss, and Marvin Harris explain why potlatch exists? ?Potlatch means to give away, or a gift it is a festival ceremony, and its goal is to give away joy and wealth more than the rival. Explanations 0Ruth Benedict Driven by obsession with prestige and status, (because the more that you give the more prestige you claim). 0Marcel Mauss Compelled by reciprocity, (responding to a positive action with another positive action, rewarding kindness). 0Marvin Harris Serves an economic purpose (rational cultural adaptation). Says that potlatch is a logical cultural mechanism. Says that participating in potlatches creates a constant flow of goods. Serves as an economic purpose, human social life is a response to practical problems of earthly existence.