Download An introduction to anthropology

AN INTRODUCTION TO
ANTHROPOLOGY
from Greek: anthropos, "human being"; and logos, "knowledge"
What is it?


Anthropology = the
study of the lives and
cultures of human
beings, alive or dead
Culture= the abilities,
ideas, and behaviours
people have acquired
to become members of
society

Culture consists of a
group of people’s
traditions, values,
beliefs, behaviours,
and material objects
What Anthropologists Study

There are two main
branches of
anthropology:
 Physical
anthropology
 Cultural anthropology
Physical Anthropology


Looks at how humans
have developed
biologically over time
Ex. evolution


Looks at how humans
are similar to, and
different from other
species
Ex. primates
Cultural Anthropology

Explores how culture
has shaped the way
people live today and
in the past

Cultural
anthropologists
question how another
culture can be
understood by an
outsider
History of Anthropology

Throughout time
people have travelled
around the world
making observations
about the people who
they meet and the
societies in which they
visited
History of Anthropology

Prior to World War
Two, anthropologists
spent most of their
time researching
groups that had little
contact with Western
society

Researchers often had
a difficult time
understanding life in
these societies- difficult
for them to become
members of the culture
and live in their society
that had demanding
living conditions
History of Anthropology

Since the 1970’s,
anthropologists have
begun to look at culture
using a much more
formalized process- now
less likely to participate
in isolated field work



Applied anthropology is
a new and growing field
Engage in work for
private corporations and
government agencies
doing research,
developing campaigns
and cross-cultural
training for employees
As the world becomes
more global, the need
for anthropologists will
continue to grow
Major theorists in Anthropology

Lewis Henry Morgan


One of the first to conduct
research of the Aboriginal
Peoples of North America
Margaret Mead
Conducted field work
with aboriginals in
Papua New Guinea
 Proved gender roles are
not universal- they are
formed from cultural
history and upbringings

Careers found in Anthropology






Forensic scientist
Archaeologistsdigging for fossils
Language teacher
Public health worker
Humanitarian aid
worker
Law enforcement
YouTube - The Cultured Ape (Part 1 of 6)
Something to think about…

With a partner, discuss the following questions
 Think
of something in your school culture you would like
to investigate. Develop a few questions to investigate
people’s attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviours.
 What kind of material culture might future
archaeologists find in your school, and what would it
tell them about your culture? Choose three artefacts in
your classroom, and explain what these would tell
future archaeologists about your ideas, values, attitudes
and behaviours.
What Makes Us Human?
The Anthropological Answer

Some physical anthropologists attempt to answer the
question through the study of primates.
Humans belong to the biological group called primates.
While we are not directly descended from chimpanzees
or gorillas many believe that we do have a common
ancestor. Evidence seems to indicate that there is only a
1 to 2% genetic difference between humans and other
primates. Although we appear to be quite different we
actually share many similar physical characteristics and
some social characteristics.
What Makes Us Human?
The Anthropological Answer

Humans vs. Animal Primates
Similarities
- Opposable
thumbs
- Highly developed
brain
- Capacity to think and
learn
- Socially children are
dependent on adults
for care
Differences
- Bipedalism (ability to
walk upright for long
periods of time)
- Use language to
communicate complex
and abstract ideas
What Makes Us Human?
Leading Anthropologist: Jane Goodall

In the summer of 1960, 26-year old Jane Goodall
arrived on the shore of Lake Tanganyika in East
Africa to study the area’s chimpanzee population.
Initially the chimps fled whenever Jane came near.
She persisted, watching from a distance and
gradually she was accepted into the group and
able to get closer and even interact with the chimps.
One day in October 1960 she saw two of the
chimps strip leaves off twigs to make a tool that
allowed them to dig for termites in a nest inside a
tree.
What Makes Us Human?
Leading Anthropologist: Jane Goodall

Prior to this, scientists had thought that humans were
the only species to make tools, but here was
evidence to the contrary. Through her research she
came to the conclusion that chimps have their own
distinct personalities, minds and emotions. They form
close family relationships and distinct mating
practices. In 1977, Jane founded the Jane Goodall
Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and
Conservation to provide ongoing support for field
research on wild chimpanzees. The Institute is a
leader in the effort to protect chimps and their
habitats
What Makes Us Human?
Leading Anthropologist: Jane Goodall