Download Anthropolgoy

Chapter 1, The Study of Humanity
Key Terms

anthropology
The academic discipline that studies all of
humanity from a broad perspective.

biological/physical anthropology
Concerned with the biological evolution of the
human species, the behavior and anatomy of
monkeys and apes and the physical variations
among and between different human
populations.

primatology
Study of the evolution, anatomy, social
behavior and adaptation of primates.

paleoanthropology
The study of the evolution of the human
species.

human variation
Study of how and why human populations vary
physically.

forensic anthropology
Specialists in this area work for or consult with
law enforcement agencies to analyze and help
identify human skeletal remains.

archaeology
The study of the human past by excavating
and analyzing material remains.

prehistoric archaeology
Study of cultures that lived before the
development of writing.

historic archaeology
Supplements written records with excavations
of houses, stores, plantations, factories and
other historic structures.

cultural resource management
A field of anthropology that includes locating
sites of prehistoric and historic significance,
evaluating their importance and making
recommendations about total or partial
preservation.

contract archaeology
Firms in this field bid competitively for the
privilege of locating, excavating and reporting
on sites affected or destroyed by construction.

cultural anthropology
The study of contemporary and historically
recent human societies and cultures.

fieldwork
Moving into the community under study,
communicating in the local language and living
in close contact with the people.

ethnography
A written account of how a single human
population lives.

anthropological linguistics
Concerned with the complex relations between
language and other aspects of human behavior
and thought.

applied anthropology
Applying the study of anthropology to solving
human problems.

medical anthropologist
Investigate the interactions between and
among human health, nutrition, social
environment and cultural beliefs and practices.

development anthropologist
Provide information on communities that help
agencies adapt projects to local conditions and
needs.

educational anthropologist
Work in public agencies and private institutions
to advise on educational issues and observe
classrooms.

corporate anthropologist
Advise executives and sales staff on what to
expect and how to speak and act when they
conduct business in other countries.

holistic perspective
No aspect of a culture can be understood
without exploring its relation to aspects of the
culture.

comparative perspective
General ideas about humans or human
societies or cultures must be tested from a
comparative perspective.

cultural relativism
No culture is inherently superior or inferior to
any other culture.

ethnocentrism
The belief that moral standards, manners and
attitudes of one's own culture are superior to
those of other cultures.