To explore and appreciate the complexity of the human condition. Examine all cultures. Study human diversity, social organization, cultural practices, and the ways in which humans make sense of their world. Use comparative insight across multiple ways of thinking. Strive to have a temporal understanding, with many evolving answers, from numerous points of view. Work towards a better perspective of our selves through studying others. Learn all the differences and similarities humans have with each other, to better understand humanity as a whole.
Culture is a central concept in anthropology. The term culture is derived from the Latin word cultura, which originally referred to the cultivation of land or the act of tilling the soil. In the 15th century, culture began to be used in referring to the cultivation of the mind or intellect, and by the 16th century, it was used to describe the refinement of manners or social behavior. In the 19th century, the anthropologist Edward B. Tylor introduced the modern anthropological concept of culture as a complex system of beliefs, customs, and behaviors that are shared by a group of people and transmitted from generation to generation.
Culture is not fixed or static, it’s dynamic and constantly evolving. It is tangible and intangible. It consists of things like language, religion, art, rituals, architecture, technology, food, social norms, and world view. Clothing and jewelry styles are a reflection of it. Individuals acquire culture through socializing and interacting with others such as family, peers, and community members. Culture is not an individual characteristic, it’s a collective one that is shared by a group of people. It provides a framework for interpreting and making sense of the world, shapes attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions, and it creates a sense of identity and belonging.
Cultural universals are found in all human societies. While over all, patterns do exist, cultures are not internally homogeneous. The distribution of any one trait in a group is variable. On a larger scale it can be influenced by a variety of factors such as historical events, economic conditions, and political changes. These days culture has become a widely used term that describes the social, behavioral, and symbolic aspects of human societies and the diverse ways in which people create, express, and transmit their ways of life. As culture continues to be an evolving entity that won’t allow a final definition, it’s anthropology that will keep us up on the latest understandings.
Derived from the Greek words anthropos, meaning humanity, and logos meaning study; anthropology is, the study of humanity.
Ancient Greek philosophers were among the first to study and document cultural differences between societies. Although they didn’t use the word anthropology, Herodotus, Plato, and Aristotle wrote extensively about human societies and cultures. They were interested in the customs, beliefs, and practices of non-Greek people. One of the earliest known uses of the word anthropology appears in the book “The Anatomy of Melancholy” by Robert Burton, published in 1621. In his book, Burton uses the term to refer to the study of human customs and manners.
Anthropology is a social science. As a discipline, anthropology can be traced back to the 18th century, when European scholars began to study and categorize the cultures and societies of the world. Their focus was on the study of exotic cultures, with the goal of creating a comprehensive, global classification of human societies. The term anthropology began to be widely used in the mid-19th century, and was initially used to refer to the study of the physical characteristics of humans. Anthropology has since grow into a wide range of sub-fields. Some examples are, cyber, economic, feminist, heritage, political, and visual anthropology.
Anthropology is made up of four main branches; cultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology. These four branches are intertwined and work with each other on a normal basis. Some of the many other fields anthropologist might draw from include sociology, psychology, history, geography, and gender studies.
Cultural anthropology is an interdisciplinary study that explores all human activities, to better understand cultures, beliefs, practices, values, and social organizations. A main goal is to learn about how everyone can be understood as one human race.
Cultural anthropologists study the ways in which different cultures and societies understand and make sense of the world around them, and the ways in which people interact with one another and their environments. This includes studying how customs, beliefs, and practices of different cultures change over time. Other studies focus on how different cultures interact with one another, as well as the effect of colonialism, globalization, and cultural exchange. Common research methods include ethnography, participant observation, and interviews.
Ethnography is an important research methods used in anthropology and other social sciences. This involves the researcher immersing themselves in the community or group they are studying for an extended period of time, usually weeks or months, and sometimes even years. The researcher participates in the daily life and activities of the community, with the hopes of capturing the complexity, diversity, and nuances of behaviors, beliefs, and practices. Through these interactions the researcher collects data to help understand their culture, social structure, language, values, and worldview.
Cultural relativism is another significant research approach used in anthropology and other social sciences. This was developed in the 20th century. It is the emphasis of analyzing, evaluating and understanding the context of cultures and societies in their own unique inherent values, beliefs, practices, and norms, without imposing external judgments or values. This encourages scholars to be aware of their own biases and perspectives when studying and interpreting cultural phenomena.
Biological anthropology, also known as physical anthropology is a multidisciplinary field that studies the evolution of humans and primates, and the ways in which culture and biology interact. One of the big question in anthropology as whole is, where do we come from? Where philosophers look to metaphysics to answer this question, biological anthropologists collaborate with other scientists in areas such as primatology, paleontology, genetics, archaeology, forensic science and ecology. This approach is directed towards understanding the complexity of evolution, it’s variation, and adaptability.
Part of learning about our origin involves understanding our place in the natural world and how we have come to be where we are now. Anthropologists also hope to understand why out of the upright walking species, homo sapiens are the only ones to survived.
In other areas, biological anthropologists study the genetic, environmental, dietary, and cultural factors that contribute to differences in human physical and behavioral characteristics. This includes the ways in which human populations vary in terms of things like height, skin color, and susceptibility to certain diseases. They also examine the way in which different populations have adapted to different environments and how this has affected their biology and behavior.
Biological anthropologists use a variety of research methods including, fieldwork, lab work, and statistical analysis, to study human and primate biology. Fieldwork may involve studying living primates in their natural habitat or working with human populations in different parts of the world. Lab work may involve analyzing the DNA or bones of human or primate fossils. Statistical analysis is used to examine patterns in data and to test hypotheses.
Linguistic anthropology is an interdisciplinary field that studies how language plays a roll in shaping human culture and how culture influences language. Linguists, sociologists, and cognitive scientists are some of the people involved in collaborations. Linguistic anthropologists seeks to understand the complex relationship of how language shapes our thoughts and behavior, how it reflects and shapes our social and cultural identities, and how it changes over time.
Studies dissect the structure, use, and history of human language. Understanding the different functions of language include analyzing phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. There are investigations into how language is used to convey power and identity. Other studies examine how language is used in different types of communication, for example, storytelling, rituals, and conversations. There is also an interest in studying when different languages come into contact with one another, and how this can lead to language change and the emergence of new languages.
When studying language and its relationship to culture and society, linguistic anthropologists use a lot of the same research methods as the other branches of anthropology, including fieldwork, ethnography, and quantitative analysis. Quantitative analysis involves the use of statistical methods to analyze data on language use. Through documentation, linguistic anthropology also serves as a way to preserve dead languages, and it provides a record of human migration and cultural interaction.
Archaeology is a multidisciplinary field that seeks to understand how people lived and how societies changed over time. This includes trying to understand the prehistory of cultures. Archaeologists learn about the past through the activity of recovering and analyzing artifacts, architecture, and other material remains left behind by past cultures. They use these material remains to reconstruct the daily lives of past peoples, as well as to study the larger patterns of human behaviors.
Some other study’s in archaeology include the emergence of agriculture and urbanization, an interest with the economy, technology, politics, religion, and social organization of past societies, and how different societies interacted with each other.
Fieldwork, lab work, and analysis of written records are some of the common research methods in archaeology. Fieldwork involves surveying, excavating and studying archaeological sites, such as ancient cities, burial grounds, and rock shelters. Lab work may involve analyzing artifacts, such as ceramics, stone tools, and bones, to understand how they were made and used. Analysis of written records, such as historical documents and inscriptions, can also provide valuable information about past societies.
Psychology has played such an important roll with anthropology that it has become it’s own sub-field. Psychological anthropology is concerned with the ways in which culture and society shape mental processes such as perception, memory, and decision-making. Pschological anthropologist examine the cultural variation in psychological phenomena such as emotion, motivation, and self-concept. They study a wide range of topics, including the cultural foundations of cognitive development, emotion, and personality. They also study the cultural shaping of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, and how different cultures understand and respond to mental health issues. Besides the common research methods used in anthropology, they also use neuroimaging to study the relationship between culture and mind.
Applied anthropology is sometimes referred to as the fifth main branch or sub-field of anthropology. This is a significant field, because it is anthropologists using their knowledge and expertise to make a positive impact in the world, by working with communities, and applying the theories, methods, and findings of anthropology to address contemporary issues and problems in the real world. This is also a way to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, and to make the discipline more relevant and useful in today’s society. Some of the sub-fields or specialized areas within applied anthropology that focus on specific domains of application include, business, development, educational, environmental, forensic, legal, medical, and urban anthropology.
As a discipline anthropology studies the complexity and diversity of human beings, their culture, society, and behavior throughout time and geography. Anthropology has the potential to contribute to a more informed and inclusive understanding of the human experience. It can challenge our own cultural assumptions and biases, help us better understand ourselves and others, and be an instrument in working towards promoting positive social change both locally and globally.