Anth 1006 1st Edition Exam 1 Study Guide Chapter 1 What is Anthropology What is anthropology Anthropology is the study of the human species and its immediate ancestors Anthropology is a comparative and holistic science Holistic Encompassing past present and future biology society language and culture Study of the whole human condition Not just one society or culture Human Diversity Humans differ biologically and culturally Anthropology looks to understand these differences and provide explanations Sub disciplines of Anthropology Cultural o The comparative cross cultural study of human society and culture o Analyzes and interprets and explains cultural similarities and differences o To study cultural anthropology anthropologists use ethnography and ethnology Biological o The study of human biological variation diversity in time and space o Also known as physical anthropology o Studies 1 Human evolution 2 Human genetics 3 Human Growth Development 4 Human Biological Ability 5 Primatology Linguistic o The study of language and linguistic diversity throughout time and space in society o Studies language in social and cultural content o Reconstruct languages and connect to universal features of language Archaeology o The study of human behavior through material remains Applied vs Academic Anthropology o Applied using anthropology to solve contemporary problems Ethnography Fieldwork in a particular cultural setting Provides an account of a particular group community society or culture Ethnographer gets data and present it NOT ethnology which is cross cultural comparison Chapter 2 Culture What is culture Traditions and customs transmitted through learning Beliefs arts knowledge morals law customs and other capabilities Not acquired through biology but rather by growing up in a certain society Extends back 2 6mya to first tool use Characteristics of Culture Symbols o something verbal or non verbal that stands for something else o ex flags languages etc o symbolic thought is crucial to cultural learning o Allows people to bestow meanings Culture is Shared o Culture is an attribute of individuals as members of groups o Shared culture links people together o Culture is learned by observing listening talking Enculturation The process by which culture is learned and transmitted across generations Process by which a child learns their culture Cultural Relativism The idea that behavior should be evaluated not by outside standards but in the context of culture which it occurs Inappropriate to use outside standards to judge behavior in a society Ethnocentrism Judging other cultures using one s own cultural standards Tendency to view one s own culture as superior Mechanisms of Culture Change Diffusion o Borrowing of cultural traits between societies o Cultures are never truly isolated o Direct diffusion trading marrying waging war o Forced diffusion When one culture forces itself upon another group o Indirect diffusion When it just happens by cultures mixing by accident o Today due to media and technology Acculturation o An exchange of cultural features between groups in continuous firsthand contact o Parts of each culture changes but each remains distinct o Example words from other languages incorporated into English food tools music Independent Invention o The independent development of a cultural feature in different societies o The process by which humans innovate creatively finding solutions to problems o Ex agriculture changes lead to social political and legal changes Cultural Adaptations Culture is the MAIN reason for adaptability and success Example using technology or tools Chapter 4 Studying the Past Paleontology Study of ancient life through fossil remains Paleoanthropology Study of hominid hominin and human life through fossil record Study of human life and their immediate ancestors Archaeology Reconstruct past societies and behaviors through excavating remains Systematic Survey Study of settlement patterns over a large area Walking over area and recording location and size of all materials Provides a regional perspective by gathering information on settlement patterns o Settlement patterns how people grouped themselves and interacted o Where were sites located How big were they and the buildings Excavation Digging through layers at a site Taphonomy Studying processes that affect dead animals scattering by carnivores and scavengers distortion by various forces and possible fossilization Physical Anthropology Studies biological characteristics 5 Subfields Evolution genetics growth biological adaptability and primatology Relative Dating Stratigraphy Stratigraphy The study of earth sediments deposited in demarcated layers strata o The way in which earth sediment acculumates o Age GENERALLY increases the deeper you go Relative dating o Establishing a time frame in relation to other strata or materials o Determining which objects are older and which objects are younger o Stratigraphy permits relative dating lower layers are older Remains found at the same level are the same age Absolute Dating Can trace remains back to an exact time period more specific than relative dating Carbon Dating o Used to date organic materials up to 40 000 years old o Measures radioactive decay of Carbon 14 o With death organisms stop adsorbing Carbon 14 Potassium argon K A Technique o Used to date volcanic rock older than 500 000 years old o K 40 potassium is a radioactive isotope and gradually breaks down into argon 40 o Half life 1 3 billion years Dendrochronology o Tree ring dating based on the study and comparisons of patterns of tree ring growth o Trees add 1 ring every year o Shows climate and when even certain structures were built Chapter 5 Evolution and Genetics Catastrophism Belief that Earth was affected by sudden short lived violent events worldwide in scope fires floods etc some relating to biblical events Theory these events destroyed ancient species Problem If ancient species were destroyed why are species today so similar Creationism Belief that God created all life in 6 days according to the bible Similarities and differences in humans originated at creation Oct 23 4004 BC 9 am theory Problem if all life originated at the same time and did not change why weren t ancient species still around Uniformitarianism Belief that natural forces at work today also explain past events Slow incremental changes erosion rainfall earthquakes etc transform Earth s features The present is key to the past