...Cultural Anthropology 1. Anthropologists define culture as all the learned behaviours, beliefs, attitudes, values and ideals of a particular society or population. 2. All cultures share common characteristics such as politics, economics, family, communication, recreation, war, knowledge, beliefs and material culture. 3. Nature: the influence of inherited biological characteristics on human behaviour. Nurture: the process of training and influencing a child through learning. 4. Arapesh: * Children were treated warmly and that both men and women participated actively in child care * Both genders grew up to view the world in a trusting way * Aggression was not acceptable Mundagumor: * Both girls and boys were treated harshly and left to fend for themselves * Women and men grew up to be hostile and aggressive * Gentle individuals were seen as maladjusted Tchambuli: * Women were tough while men were passive * Men looked after the children and the household * Girls were trained in handicrafts and were absorbed into women’s way of life * Boys were given no training for their future roles * Adult women later formed a cohesive group * Boys were excluded from major ceremonies Mead concluded that most of the personality traits we associate with “masculinity” and “femininity” are the result of early learning, not heredity. Therefore, nurture rather than nature was determining human behaviour. 5. 1) Most of...
Words: 1122 - Pages: 5
...In the typical American household, Americans consider themselves equally tied by kinship to both their mother and father and their maternal and paternal relatives. In other words, Americans think of kinship bilaterally. As we shall see, this is not true of all societies. The writer focused on family life in three societies: the Ju/wasi, the Trobriand Islanders, and the traditional Chinese farm family. The ju/wasi were hunters and gatherers living in small mobile groups, where as the Trobriand Islanders were horticulturists living in villages of up to 400 people. As inferred in the text the chinese were the strongest of the three because they represent a large agricultural society. Wealth is important to maintain the social rank of the matrilineage. Wealth has no role among the Ju/wasi. Life, love, and wealth play a significant role in these societies today. Most anthropologist would argue that though these practices are from a earlier time they are still used today. Consequently, family stability must be maintained to increase wealth and social status. Lee's The Dobe(Holt, Rinehart and winston, 1984), Robbins PGS 182, 185 The Analysis Of Domestic Groups PGA 161-180 Because family structure is most important in typical families, we study the different domestic groups of three seperate social societies. Usually in these socities their are arranged marriages from birth and rarely disputed by the female as inferred in the reading. Wealth is not a main component to the Ju/wasi where...
Words: 351 - Pages: 2
...Ever since middle school, I had an interest in social studies, especially in the cultural topics. I loved to learn about the different cultural and customs that are in the world. Cultural anthropology is a field that I am very intrigued in. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook anthropologists and archeologists “study the origin, development, and behavior of humans”. The Cultural Anthropology program of the national park service said that cultural anthropology “specialize in the study of culture and peoples’ beliefs, practices, and the cognitive and social organization of human groups”. In the occupational outlook handbook explain the job descriptions for anthropology. They plan cultural research, and collect information from observations,...
Words: 506 - Pages: 3
...American Economics and Death in Japan Jacob K. Donlan ANT 101: Cultural Anthropology Instructor James Turner September 7, 2015 Introduction This paper will show an overview of the American economic system today from an etic (outsider’s) point of view as well as examine how the Japanese culture treats death from an introspective view to show readers how areas where they may already have an opinion on can be seen from other perspectives. In Part I, readers will be shown from an etic perspective how Americans have, over time, developed an addiction to indebtedness and live in abundance on credit, not caring of growing deficits and interest burdens. In his 2013 book, “Cultural Anthropology,” Crapo describes an etic analysis as “an outsider’s or observer’s allegedly “objective” account.” In Part II, the Japanese culture surrounding death will be described as how an insider would understand it. Crap described an emic analysis as “an insider’s or native’s meaningful account.” (Ch. 1.1). For various cultures around the world to truly understand and empathize with one another, it is important to be able to see things from each other’s perspective. Being able to understand an issue in America as an outsider would see it, and likewise to look at something that might seem strange to us as an insider would will help us grow beyond our preconceived notions and ignorance. Part I This...
Words: 1490 - Pages: 6
...Anthropology – The comparative study of human sciences and cultures. Holistic/Holism – In Anthropology an approach that considers culture, history, language, and biology essential to a complete understanding of human society. Society – A group of people who depend on one another for survival or well-being as well as the relationships among such people, including their status and roles. Culture - The learned behaviors and symbols that allow people to live in groups. The primary means by which humans adapt to their environments. The way of life characteristic of a particular human society. Ethnography – A description of a society or culture. Emic(perspective) – Examining society using concepts, categories, and distinctions that are meaningful to members of that culture. Etic(perspective) – Examining society using concepts, categories, and rules derived from science; an outsider’s perspective, which produces analyses that members of the society being studied may not find meaningful. Ethnology – The attempt to find general principles or laws that govern cultural phenomena. Cultural Anthropology – The study of human thought, meaning, and behavior that is learned rather than genetically transmitted, and that is typical of groups of people. Ethnohistory – Description of the cultural past based on written records, interviews, and archaeology. Linguistic anthropology – A branch of linguistics concerned with understanding language and its relation to culture. Historical linguistics...
Words: 1107 - Pages: 5
...1. Which environment is least likely to be inhabited by pastoralists? (Points : 1) grasslands savannahs tropical forests deserts 2. Chiefdoms, unlike bands and tribes, have permanent political positions and regulate the regions they govern. (Points : 1) True False 3. The main difference between egalitarian and ranked societies is that in the latter: (Points : 1) there are marked differences in wealth among the classes. an individual’s social rank is not influenced by his or her kinship relations. there are a fixed number of statuses into which only certain individuals are recruited, so not everyone has access to honored offices or titles. leadership statuses are less formal and more open to all. 4. Chiefdoms likely started: (Points : 1) as the earliest form of political unit known to archaeologists. because of a need for control of distribution and exchange. as a means to maintain an egalitarian lifestyle. because of a decrease in population. 5. The levirate is a marriage custom in which: (Points : 1) a widow marries the brother or another close relative of her dead husband. a widower marries the sister or another close relative of his dead wife. a person marries a cross-cousin. a person marries a parallel cousin. 6. Polynesian chiefs: (Points : 1) must use their personal charisma and skill to gain their positions...
Words: 413 - Pages: 2
...Cultural Anthropology Cultural violence Introduction Sometimes it hasn’t been clear whether the source of violence in most of the communities has been genetic human condition or introduced into our system after birth. Both factor contribute to violence and also define the nature of violence. This makes crimes to differ with different people, locations and cultures through time. Our point of study is Kohistan community located in the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan .we are going to study factors that facilitated crime in this area and how the crimes are associated with their cultures from the past. Kohistans interpret violence differently due to different cultural background from the rest of the world. I categorized the factors leading to violence in Kohistan into three. These factors include political, ecological and religious. Thull community is involves around 6000 Muslims and is located in the Hindu-Kush Mountains. The community is located 40 kilometers along the river valley. The road leading to the community is very poor. The community does farming of crops through irrigation and also keeps livestock that graze at the foot of the mountain where there smooth meadows. As per their tradition men were responsible for farming while the women worked on the crops. They practiced transhumance pastoral farming. Religion Initially the Thull community did not have a high crime rate as they settled their differences without any killings...
Words: 881 - Pages: 4
...QN:With the aid of case studies from Africa, explore different leadership strategies of settling disputes Settling disputes refers to one of several different processes used to resolve disputes between parties. This includes negotiation, mediation, arbitration, collaborative law, and litigation. Settling disputes is the process of resolving a dispute or a conflict by meeting at least some of each side’s needs and addressing their interests. Conflict resolution is a community process involving the identification of the root cause of the problem, and bringing all parties involved to address the underlying issues. This usually ends with the guilty accepting wrong doing, leading to reconciliation which may include compensation or just forgiveness (Brock-Utne, 2001) Notable dispute resolved in Africa, was in Kenya. It was a forest conflict which was associated with the Njukiine forest which was managed by the Gichugu Gikuyu and Embu elders. Tension was present in the pre-colonial era for the regulated use of the forest. Colonialism perpetuates dramatic changes which erupted in the 1930. The Gikuyu immigrants, lineage elders, local authorities and colonial administrators all competed to control the use of the forest. A range of groups were involved as different disputes unfolded.Women the most numerous of the major forest users groups were absent in the disputing process. Several means were used to address the disputes which were the local moots, rituals, tribunals, chiefs, and...
Words: 1254 - Pages: 6
...our Education Carlos Moreno This paper is a reflection on Margaret Mead's book Coming of age in Samoa and the way she critically compared Samoan and Western educational systems. I will first analyse the reasons for her research in Samoa and the connections with 'the teenage struggle' in our society. Then, I will argue that the ways in which we live and learn about the world, and relate to each other, are strongly linked to the cultural values of our society - values we consider as 'normal'. Finally, I will state my personal point of view on the topic and outline Mead's further contributions to research in social anthropology. Mead was concerned with how human character is modified through different cultural patterns. While teenage struggles are often explained in scientific terms as related to biology and psychology, she focuses on the relevance of social context in teenagers' behaviour. Mead argues that sexual transition peculiarities - the point at which a child becomes an adolescent and possibly sexually active - are due to social and cultural factors more than to biological processes. Throughout her research Mead was interested in comparing the experiences of Samoan and Western adolescents, including their differing experiences of education. In Samoa, according to Mead, there is no pressure on the 'slow' pupil; no feelings of envy, rivalry, impotence and frustration are developed as all have their own pace to learn: there are no 'losers' or 'winners', simply students...
Words: 2412 - Pages: 10
...Naturalistic Observations Jesicca Jupin Argosy University ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is an overview of ethnographic lessons. The subject of this report is to witness individuals in a local restaurant in order to find some varieties of ethnic types pertaining to the witnessed individuals. This assignment involves observation, explanation and a breakdown of what was perceived, possible employment, amount and site of individuals and the layout of the restaurant. In addition, this paper consists of an explanation of the used approach. INTRODUCTION As an overview into ethnographic, this disposition will reflect four areas, the research question, methodical transcripts, and an investigation to determine and refer to the perceived ethnic outlook, and recording and briefing the outcomes to take in conversation. DISCUSSION Research question: What was earned from this study? As a long-term citizen in this area, I am mindful of the degree of living in this diversely driven culture. I have connected with these people for 16 years. In keeping fairness, the procedure of recording anything that is witnessed and overheard is vital to providing accurate outcomes. Every effort will be thoroughly considered to reduce prejudice throughout the study of this ethnographic learning. Yet, independence is achieved and continuous through the rationality of the findings to draw the same rational conclusions. Location for the study: The observation was accomplished for the duration...
Words: 1329 - Pages: 6
...Home Page » Historical Events Worldwide Non Western Cultures Faced Fundamental Challenges to Their Cultural Identities Not so Much a Recentering of Culture but a Decentering of Culture In: Historical Events Worldwide Non Western Cultures Faced Fundamental Challenges to Their Cultural Identities Not so Much a Recentering of Culture but a Decentering of Culture Individual Project # 4 David Henderson American Intercontinental University Abstract The Chinese have been in America since the early 1600’s and have contributed to the growth of this country in many ways. When leaving your home land and coming to a new one, there are many new and different ways of doing things that may be contrary to what is normal or acceptable in you culture. The decentering of a culture is examined, as well as the impact on a culture when this happens. China’s Decentering Process “Worldwide, non-Western cultures faced fundamental challenges to their cultural identities-not do much a recentering of culture but a decentering” (Sayre, 2010). What can we gather from this statement. Sayer is stating that Western cultures have begun to loose their original identities that they brought over from their native countries. Every culture that immigrated to the U.S. brought with them some of their own culture. Most brought just the clothes on their back along with hopes and dreams of a better life and ideals from the homeland. Cultures that were ‘non-western’ were caught between two...
Words: 396 - Pages: 2
...battles fought against the Non-West. Hanson talks about nine different battles in which helps back up his theory. Western warfare, a common foundation and continual way of fighting, that has made Europeans the most deadly soldiers in the history of civilization. With this being said, Hanson believed that with the western culture, the armies produce better quality arms and soldiers. Culture being such a big part of the Western way of life, the people believed in themselves and their rights to freedom. Although, for a long time the Western expeditionary forces were outnumbered and often deployed from their home they continued to fight off the superior enemies. This led to the Western culture to slaughter mercilessly their opponents. The cultural background is what Hanson’s theory is as...
Words: 1298 - Pages: 6
...Our Culture/ Bangladeshi Culture The culture of a society means the way of living, eating habit, cultural functions, different kinds of festivals, clothes, language, religion, values, policies, tradition etc. It is the complete picture of a nation and the most important and basic concept of sociology. There are some characteristics of culture. Firstly, it must be social and it is developed from the society and social communication. Secondly, all the rules of a culture are not learnt by the people in the society. Some are learned and some are acquired. The cultural activities of a society are totally different from another society. Cultural elements like the way of living, eating habit, cultural functions, different kinds of festivals, clothes, language, religion, values, policies, tradition etc. are totally different from other cultural elements. In our culture, our songs are based on rural and idyllic pictures of life. We have jari, sari, bhatiali, polligiti, religious and mystic songs. Similarly, we have our own food habits like eating rice and fish. Again, we have our traditional dress like lungi, Panjabi, shirt, saree and blouse. Nowadays, it is seen that our cultural activities are changing because of the influence of the western culture. So, our young generation is no longer interested in our folk or idyllic songs. They are fascinated by Hindi or English music. In summary, Culture is a part of our life and we are not out of our own culture. We live and grow up in the midst...
Words: 779 - Pages: 4
...Before reading the passages assigned, I had a drastically different perception of what mythology is. Before, I was under the guise that all myths were fictitious and ancient in origin. I never considered the notion of a modern myth or the idea that myths to be true. Stories that I considered to be myths, while not incorrect; were strictly limited to Greek, Roman, Egyptian and other ancient and factitious myths. I thought that to qualify as a myth, a story must be fictitious. Upon reading the texts, I soon found my previous assessment as to the identity of a myth was quickly corrected. Among everything else, I learned how myths can be studied to provide on with insight about the ancient worlds. For example, Thury and Devinney analyze the myth...
Words: 343 - Pages: 2
...In 2015, the City of San Diego formally recognized and proclaimed December as Hmong Heritage Month. This year, as we gather to celebrate our past and present, and renew future hopes and dreams, we are honored to share our rich culture and heritage with the citizens of San Diego. This December, we celebrate the first annual Hmong Heritage Month in San Diego, California. The Hmong Heritage Month displays are being unveiled at two locations: The Kearny Mesa/Serra Mesa public library and the Mira Mesa public library. It showcases Hmong traditional wear, musical instruments, and traditional cloth arts with renowned arabesque needle works. I am extremely proud of the resiliency and collaboration of this community, the Hmong community. We have...
Words: 390 - Pages: 2
