Participant Observation: Malinowski and the Trobriand Islands1. Armchair anthropology is a person who has book knowledge, but has no practicalexperience. One of the limitations is not having full experiences. You can only see a limitedamount of the truth.2. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to believe that one’s ethnic or cultural group is centrallyimportant. Ethnocentrism through British armchair anthropologist’s perception of savagesculture was portrayed as opposite of their own. If they were rational, the savages wereirrational. If they were monogamous the savages were promiscuous.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.4. A classic example of balanced reciprocity is the Kula Ring in the Trobriand Islands, anarchipelago 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 how theyviewed it themselves. He discovered out it was a complicated and sophisticated festivity. Healso 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. Sophe’s birthday party is not just about toddlers as it has a deeper function. Who is invitingwhom and why were they invited. Social obligation was used in both cultures. If one personinvited you to their child’s birthday party, then the other would have to do the same.Everyone everywhere is driven by these same passions, hunger, fear, vanity and sex. Allcultures name as a function in society. This is applied to all societies sophisticated orprimitive. Functionalism is how everyone functions and works in need of each other.Extra credit1. Kate Fox saw the bigger picture but it was from a participant observation view from a farpoint. She did her studies in a comfortable environment with plumbing and wine. She spentthree 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