Participant Observation: Malinowski and the Trobriand Islands1. The armchair anthropology consisted of respectable gentlemen who lived in the citiesand believed that the savages were best studied from a safe distance, which was from their“armchair.” They just sent the letters to travelers, colonial officials, and missionaries aroundthe world frequently to obtain a whole series of explanation about the customs of the peoplewhom they encountered. As reading these letters, they formulated theories on savage life byassumption at their armchairs without any real observation.2. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to believe that one’s ethnic or cultural group iscentrally important. Ethnocentrism through British armchair anthropologist’s perception ofsavages culture was portrayed as opposite of their own. If they were rational, the savageswere irrational. If they were monogamous the savages were promiscuous. They just definedthe savages and their cultures as the uncivilized ones compared to their own that were notcontrolled by rational thought but emotional changes without experiencing and understandingthose.3. Malinowski determined that the Australian Aborigines had a family. This was shownthrough having a man with either one or a few wives. They also showed affection towardtheir children and lived together. Travelers said that the area was fascinating and colorful withdifferent customs and colorful natives. Australian Aborigines were living in very much likewhat we would call families although they did not define itself as a family. The armchairanthropologists had looked Australian Aborigines as the people who were at the bottom of theevolution since they did not even have any family structure that was confirmed as the base ofthe social evolution.4. A classic example of balanced reciprocity is the Kula Ring in the Trobriand Islands,an archipelago located off the eastern shores of New Guinea. Two kinds of valuables areinvolved: white armshells called muwali and necklaces of red spondylus shells known assoulava or sometimes as bagi. Each trader gives the partner a white armshell, with theexpectation of receiving a red necklace within a defined period; the trader giving the necklacelikewise expects to receive an armshell. The white armshells move counterclockwise in theislands, and the red necklaces move clockwise.5. Malinowski studies all aspects of Kula ring. He found that Kula by the locals and howthey viewed it themselves. He discovered out it was a complicated and sophisticated festivity.He also discovered only the high status locals were allowed to go on their journeys because itwas a costly and dangerous event. There is a social network passed down by shell trinketsshowing a close bond or treaty amongst one another. The shell trinkets stood as a symbol of aclose bond and treaties amongst each other, creating a chain of relationships. Twelve islandgroups were found participating in the Kula Ring with over 12,000 miles of ocean. The valueof each object was from the past and held great importance. Each chain of shells showedpower and prestige. Kula Ring was a way to show status and power.6. Malinowski discovered that the islanders are sophisticated and rational human beings.They were also industrious, manipulative, and had a strict code of behavior just like theEuropeans. Their societies were discovered to be as complex as anyone else’s. The crownjewels were just like the shells used to show power and status. Famous people were known towere and carry the jewels just as the shells. They both held great historical sentiment.Acquiring the Kula shells were similar to winning sport’s cups or trophies. Shamanism andmagic was similar to our ground religions. Tattoos were represented, as we would showmetals for heroes.7. At first it seems like Sophie’s birthday party is all about having fun and gift giving,but the birthday party has deeper social function. The birthday party and the Kula exchangehave similar social function, which is the establishment of social obligation. If you have agroup of mother who are invited to your party, the invited mothers should feel obligated toinvite your children back to their own children’s birthday party. Also, inviting toddlers to theparty involves a clear decision making process that is “who is invited on what basis.”Malinowski’s functionalism is a theory that can be applied to all aspect of society regardlessof its level of sophistication. Malinowski claimed that all human cultures had purpose;customs could be interpreted as serving functions in a society and rituals evolved to satisfyour basic needs and desires. Extra credit1. Kate Fox saw the bigger picture but it was from a participant observation view from afar point. She did her studies in a comfortable environment with plumbing and wine. Shespent three years with this racing tribe. She was similar to Malinowski by using participantobservation, and she observed status, hierarchy, rituals, and daily life. Both cultures hadstatus, rituals, and a code of conduct to live by. They had tribal greetings or introductionrituals. They both also had hierarchy such as the Stuart officials were like the tribal elders.The horse trainers were like the revered shamans.2. Some of Malinowski’s hangs ups included his mother dying slowing his studies andobservation to a halt. They only interfered for a short period of time so not that big of aproblem. He looked at the bigger picture. His personnel diaries were published exposing hisprejudice and hate. He had many outbursts of anger calling black racist words and puttinghimself at a higher status. However, he insulted everyone from black to