CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY - LESSON 1 VOCABULARY
1. Applied anthropology
The application of anthropological data, perspectives, theory, and methods to identify, assess, and solve
contemporary social problems.
2. Comparative
Based on or using comparisons of different elements or types of things in the investigation of something.
3. Biological anthropology
The study of human biological variation in time and space; includes evolution, genetics, growth and
development, and primatology.
4. Cultural anthropology
The study of human society and culture; describes, analyzes, interprets, and explains social and cultural
similarities and differences.
5. Academic anthropology
Anthropologist who teach and research at colleges and universities (Ivory tower anthropologists).
6. Holistic
Interested in the whole of the human condition: past, present and future; biology, society, language, and
culture.
7. Anthropology
The study of human diversity through time and space.
8. Archaeological anthropology
The study of human behavior and cultural patterns and processes through the culture’s material remains.
9. Linguistic anthropology
The descriptive, comparative, and historical study of language and of linguistic similarities and differences
in time, space, and society.
10. Ethnography
In cultural anthropology the fieldwork in a particular culture.
11. AAA Code of Ethics
Provides ethical guidelines for anthropologists but lacks the authority to punish misconduct.
12. The primary ethical obligation of anthropologists
The people/artifacts/primates they study
13. Ethnology
Cross-cultural comparison; the comparative study of ethnographic data, society and culture.
14. Cultural consultants
Subjects in ethnographic research
15. Survey research
Characteristic research procedure among social scientists other than anthropologists.
16. Informed Consent
Agreement to take part in research, after the people being studied have been told about the research’s
purpose, nature, procedures, and potential impact on them.
17. Rapport
A relationship marked by harmony, conformity, accord or affinity.
18. Reflexivity
Acknowledging biases and limitations of anthropology in general and any one work in particular.
19. Participant observation
Participating in and observing the life of others. The primary field technique of cultural anthropologists.
20. Genealogical method
Procedures by which the ethnographer discovers and records connections of kinship, descent, and marriage.
21. Interview schedule
Ethnographic tool for structuring an informal interview.
22. Key cultural consultant
A person who is an expert on a particular aspect of local life
23. Life history
The life story of a key consultant.
24. Longitudinal research
Long-term study of a community.
25. Team research
Coordinated research by multiple ethnographers.
26. Culture shock
The whole set of feelings about being in an alien setting and the ensuing reactions.
27. A global person
A person that does not believe that his/her nation is the best at everything and that everyone else wants to be
just like him/her — rather he/she is aware that other cultures of the world have lives and viewpoints
different from his/ her own.