...particular culture. ethnology Cross-cultural comparison; the comparative study of ethnographic data, of society, and of culture. Ethnography is a field of anthropological research based on direct observation of and reporting on a people’s way of life. Cultural groups, such as communities, tribes, or dialect groups. However, classes or institutions within complex urban societies are also subjects of study. Ethnography consists of two phases: the process of observing and recording data, usually called fieldwork, followed by the preparation of a written description and analysis of the subject under study. Originally, ethnographic studies often included random anecdotes and facts about so-called primitive peoples whose way of life was thought to be disappearing. As the field of anthropology became more professional, however, ethnography became more systematic, and ethnographers attempted to interrelate the various aspects of a way of life. In recent years ethnography has become more specialized. Sometimes it involves studying small segments of large societies or focuses on specific, practical, or theoretical problems in anthropology. In conducting an ethnographic study, an anthropologist usually visits or lives for an extended period of time in a society that is not his or her own. The ethnographer’s research can then be used to test social scientific propositions, to add to the body of literature on human societies in general, and to inform others about the culture under observation—its...
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...methods of anthropological research. 5. Explain the causes of culture shock. 6. Analyze the values of cultural relativism. 7. Identify the uses of cross-cultural comparison. After reading this chapter, you should be able to: iStockphoto/Thinkstock iStockphoto 8. Explain the basic ethical questions of anthropological research. 9. Explain the different concepts used in an anthropological analysis of culture. 10. Explain the difference between humanistic and scientific approaches to culture. Chapter Outline 1.1 The Breadth of Anthropology • • • • • The Four Traditional Subfields Anthropology as Science and Humanity Etic Versus Emic Perspectives The Holistic Perspective Breadth in Time and Space 1.3 Methods of Anthropological Research • • • • Participant Observation The Fieldwork: A Case Study Cross-Cultural Comparison Ethics in Anthropological Research 1.2 The History of Cultural Anthropology • • • • • The Evolutionary Period The Empiricist Period The Functionalist Period The Contemporary Period The Period of Specialization 1.4 Cultural Differences • Culture Shock • Ethnocentrism • Cultural Relativism 1.5 Employment in Anthropology 1 cra80793_01_c01_001-032.indd 1 5/23/13 2:23 PM Section 1.1 The Breadth of Anthropology CHAPTER 1 This chapter explains what anthropology is, the history of the discipline, how anthropologists gather information about human customs, how different anthropologists analyze culture, and how anthropology has evolved...
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...2 Abstract: Based on the breathtaking and scenic film Baraka, directed by Mark Magidson, this essay examines what makes us human internally and externally. Drawing on articles consistent in humanity and compassion exploration, biological research, chimpanzee research and analysis, and a look at our distant Neanderthal ancestors, we can combine the crucial pieces of humanity to look at it as a whole. Baraka depicts not only diversity, but importance of religion, ritual, traditions, and culture in the world. At first, the film seems to be a jumbled mixture of images and non-verbal sounds, but in fact it is strategically linked and results in one final theme: Life. 3 For centuries, humans have made themselves superior over our predecessor: Earth. While science has proved that the earth,with its animals and nature, have existed long before we have, we continue to oversee its power and lose our humanity. Our humanity, in my opinion, is not what makes us human biologically, but rather internally and cognitively. According to the dictionary, humanity is described as "the quality of being humane" and followed by words such as compassion, brotherly love, understanding, sympathy, and consideration. Is humanity an instinct, something we are born with? Or is humanity learned, taught, and projected? There are many things that we can relate to being human. Biologically, the DNA that lies within the cells that make up our physical body can tell whether we...
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...Discuss Culture and Quality 1.0 Introduction As the world becomes more global each day, the borders among countries have started to disappear. The integration between nations highlights the importance of ‘culture’ in almost every aspects of human life. Today, people, companies and even governments shape and orient their acts correlated to this interaction process. Increased impact of national identity leads companies and marketers to build up unique strategies in order to be successful worldwide. The biggest reason of this is the different needs and expectations of people in different countries. Every culture has distinctive norms and values which have shaped the perception of customers for years. Nowadays, the concept of perceived product quality is increasingly becoming more important on the minds. Although there are a lot of definitions, each of them are defined as common meaning; that is, quality is basically ability to meet the customer’s needs and expectations. Perception of quality varies from person to person and even from culture to culture. Therefore, the national identity and cultural values and norms might have an important role on the customers’ quality perception. Even if all the features and the prices of the product are same, it can create different opinions and perceptions in different countries and cultures. How may culture affect the ‘product quality perception’ of consumers? 1.1 Culture ‘Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies...
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...The Influence of Culture and Values in Community Health Nursing Stephanie D. Patton Professor D 26 August 2013 A 69 year old woman with colon cancer. AS a 69 year old African American female presented to the community nurse with complaints of weakness in the hands and severe fatigue. She also had undergone menopause and attributed these changes in health to it. Her menstrual periods had been very heavy and irregular. She experienced recent weight loss of over 15 pounds over the past 9 months. The patient reported that she had cases of constipation and hemorrhoids. Her last mammogram 12 months ago was normal. The patient has had no screening colonoscopy and is currently taking ibuprofen 800 mg for pain. The patient stated that she did not want to take more meds than she had to due to her religious beliefs. The nurse stated that she understood the wishes of her patients and would do all that she could to comply with her wishes in preparing a plan of treatment for her care... The influence of Culture and Values in Community Health Nursing is the care provide by educated nurses in a particular place and time and directed toward promoting, restoring and preserving health of the total population or community. Families are recognized as an important social group in which values and knowledge are learned and health related behaviors are practiced. Culture refers to the beliefs, values and behavior that are shared by members of a society that provide a design or “map” for living...
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...,Introduction * Anthropology -The study of the lives and cultures of human beings, alive or dead. -They also study the evolution of these cultures over time as well as significant changes. * Sociology -Sociology is the study of human social life, groups, and societies. -They also study the interactions among these groups and the individuals within them. * Psychology -The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. -Psychologists look at how the brain functions and what is the result on peoples personalities, behaviors, and attitudes. <Introduction to Sociology> * What is sociology? - The social science discipline that looks at the development and structure of human society (institutions) and how it works - Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior * Sociology subjects matter - Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts * Hierarchy - Hierarchy is the ranking system used in any particular environment based on authority or power - Each position or role requires a certain type of expertise which is valued by society - In order to distinguish between these roles people are expected to dress and act in a certain way - On any given day we can play many different roles in society – eg. A parent can drive their kids to school and then go to work and teach their students * The roles...
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...UNDERSTANDING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Qualitative research, also called interpretive research or field research, is a methodology that has been borrowed from disciplines like sociology and anthropology and adapted to educational settings. Qualitative researchers, as you already have learned, use the inductive method of reasoning and strongly believe that there are multiple perspectives to be uncovered. Qualitative researchers focus on the study of social phenomena and on giving voice to the feelings and perceptions of the participants under study. This is based on the belief that knowledge is derived from the social setting and that understanding social knowledge is a legitimate scientific process. The following are the key characteristics of qualitative research: • Studies are carried out in a naturalistic setting. • Researchers ask broad research questions designed to explore, interpret, or understand the social context. • Participants are selected through nonrandom methods based on whether the individuals have information vital to the questions being asked. • Data collection techniques involve observation and interviewing that bring the researcher in close contact with the participants. • The researcher is likely to take an interactive role where she or he gets to know the participants and the social context in which they live. • Hypotheses are formed afterthe researcher begins data collection and are modified throughout the study as new data are collected and analyzed...
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...Fairness as Appropriateness: Negotiating Epistemological Differences in Peer Review Author(s): Grégoire Mallard, Michèle Lamont and Joshua Guetzkow Source: Science, Technology, & Human Values, Vol. 34, No. 5 (September 2009), pp. 573-606 Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27786178 . Accessed: 02/10/2013 11:47 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. . Sage Publications, Inc. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Science, Technology, &Human Values. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 199.73.44.216 on Wed, 2 Oct 2013 11:47:01 AM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions Science, Technology, & Human Values Fairness as Volume 34 Number 5 September 2009 573-606 C) 200$; Sage Plications 10.1177/0162243908329381 l*ftp:#$&.sagepub.com hosted at http://online.sagepub.com Appropriateness Negotiating Epistemological Differences in Peer Review Gregoire Mallard Northwestern University Michele Harvard Lamont University...
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...CHAPTER 3 Group Member Diversity CHAPTER OUTLINE Heterogeneous Groups Personality Dimensions Personality Theory Implications of Personality Dimensions Cultural Dimensions Individualism–Collectivism Power Distance Uncertainty Avoidance Masculine–Feminine High Context–Low Context Monochronic Time–Polychronic Time Barriers to Cultural Understanding Gender Dimensions Generational Dimensions Balanced Diversity GroupWork: Personality Preferences GroupAssessment: Identifying Cultural Dialectics ISBN: 0-536-56665-8 63 Working in Groups: Communication Principles and Strategies, Fourth Edition, by Isa N. Engleberg and Dianna R. Wynn. Published by Allyn & Bacon. Copyright © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. 64 Part I Basic Group Concepts HETEROGENEOUS GROUPS When you read or hear the word diversity, you may think about race or about people from other countries. The concept of diversity, however, involves much more than country of origin, skin color, or ethnic heritage. When discussing group communication, we use the term diversity in its most general sense—the quality of being different. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines diverse as “made up of distinct characteristics, qualities, or elements.”1 The homogeneous–heterogeneous dialectic is particularly applicable to the study of group membership. As we note in Chapter 1, the prefix homo comes from the Greek language and means “same” or “similar”; hetero means “different.” Thus, a homogeneous...
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...of philosophy to physics seems to me to be something like the value of early nation-states to their peoples. It is only a small exaggeration to say that, until the introduction of the post office, the chief service of nation-states was to protect their peoples from other nation-states. The insights of philosophers have occasionally benefited physicists, but generally in a negative fashion—by protecting them from the preconceptions of other philosophers. I do not want to draw the lesson here that physics is best done without preconceptions. At any one moment there are so many things that might be done, so many accepted principles that might be challenged, that without some guidance from our preconceptions one could do nothing at all. It is just that philosophical principles have not generally provided us with the right preconceptions. In our hunt for the final theory, physicists are more like hounds than hawks; we have become good at sniffing around on the ground for traces of the beauty we expect in the laws of nature, but we do not seem to be able to see the path to the truth from the heights of philosophy. Physicists do of course carry around with them a working philosophy. For most of us, it is a rough-and-ready realism, a belief in the objective reality of the ingredients of our scientific theories. But this has been learned through the experience of scientific research and rarely from the teachings of philosophers. This is not to deny all value to philosophy, much...
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...in this research are constantly in the public’s eye. Their identities are not secret and often the ways in which they engage in informal economy are well known as well. A select few of these individuals have participated in city meetings that are televised. Other anthropologists, sociologists, and curious academics have examined the decline of this southern sector of Dallas for one reason or another. Newspaper reporters and other media groups have often completed editorial pieces on this community and its residents (housed and un-housed). Identities are often made public; however, anonymity in regards to person or place is very much a component to this research in accordance with the anthropological guidelines of human subject protection. A pseudonym has been provided for each individual and place of business that participated in this research. Introduction Society is not a mere sum of individuals. Rather, the system formed by their association represents a specific reality which has its own characteristics... The group thinks, feels, and acts quite differently from the way in which its members would were they isolated. If, then, we begin with the individual, we shall be able to understand nothing of what takes place in the group. -Ėmile Durkheim (1895) Anthropology as a discipline makes important contributions to academic scholarship and research. The anthropological importance of this research is to examine the...
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...3: Culture While this Hong Kong pedestrian appears not to notice the Nike billboard behind him, featuring NBA star LeBron James wearing the Air Zoom sneaker, the Chinese people certainly did notice. The Oregon-based Nike corporation was forced to pull its “Chamber of Fear” promotion, based on a Bruce Lee movie, after an outraged public objected to the image of a U.S. athlete defeating a kung fu master. In the global marketplace, cultural differences can undermine even the most elaborate promotional campaign. inside Culture and Society Development of Culture around the World Elements of Culture Culture and the Dominant Ideology Case Study: Culture at Wal-Mart Cultural Variation Social Policy and Culture: Bilingualism Boxes Sociology in the Global Community: Life in the Global Village Sociology in the Global Community: Cultural Survival in Brazil Sociology on Campus: A Culture of Cheating? “Nacirema culture is characterized by a highly developed market economy which has evolved in a rich natural habitat. While much of the people's time is devoted to economic pursuits, a large part of the fruits of these labors and a considerable portion of the day are spent in ritual activity. The focus of this activity is the human body, the appearance and health of which loom as a dominant concern in the ethos of the people. While such a concern is certainly not unusual, its ceremonial aspects and associated philosophy are unique. The fundamental belief underlying the whole...
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...Racism: A Learned Behavior I. Introduction Racism is one of the most controversial social topics in the world today even in the 21st century. As the term has been associated through the centuries for negative connotations such as discrimination, prejudice and even violence, racism remains to be a volatile issue affecting millions of lives today. The definition of racism is based on the belief that a particular race based on physical genetic features is more dominant than another. As such, the one that views that his or her ethnicity possesses human traits and capacities that are inherently superior compared to another is an exhibition of racist behavior. As such, this belief becomes the basis for particular ethnic groups to discriminate on others that can be seen through institutional racism. This is when an entire ethic population denies another racial group basic civil liberties and benefits thus, continuing on the cycle of preferential treatment of a particular race. It is important to note that the United Nations has declared that racial discrimination and ethnicity discrimination are one and the same. Significantly, the partition of races can be traced back in history as early societies have traditionally divided human populations based on their race. As such, through the centuries sociologists, anthropologist and psychologists have tried to determine the root cause of racism especially with the detrimental effects of discrimination as a result of racist...
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...about: 1. The challenge of crossing cultural boundaries 2. The meaning of culture: foundation concepts 3. Why culture matters in international business 4. National, professional, and corporate culture 5. Interpretations of culture 6. Key dimensions of culture 7. Language as a key dimension of culture 8. Culture and contemporary issues 9. Managerial guidelines for crosscultural success > American Football . . . in Europe? There are few things more representative of U.S. culture than American football. It is an extravaganza, complete with exciting halftime shows and peppy cheerleaders. The game exemplifies national pride. The national anthem is played, flags are unfurled, and uniformed players charge up and down the field like an army in the throes of often violent conflict. The teams’ huddles divide the game into small planning sessions for the next play. In the United States, the National Football League (NFL) oversees the sport and, like any successful business, wants to score in new markets. The NFL first tackled Europe in 1991, with plans to establish American football there. After years of failed attempts, NFL Europe emerged as six teams, five of which were based in Germany (such as the Berlin Thunder, the Cologne Centurions, and the Hamburg Sea Devils). Earlier teams established in Spain had failed. Why did American football triumph in Germany but fail in Spain? An excellent metaphor for Spanish culture is the bullfight, an ancient pursuit. In tradition-bound Spain, bullfights...
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...boundaries The meaning of culture: foundation concepts Why culture matters in international business National, professional, and corporate culture Interpretations of culture Key dimensions of culture Language as a key dimension of culture Culture and contemporary issues Managerial guidelines for cross-cultural success Page 1 to 1 Page 1 to 5 Page 5 to 6 Page 7 to 9 Page 9 to 9 Page 10 to 14 Page 14 to 17 Page 17 to 19 Page 19 to 21 Page 21 to 23 1 Introduction There are few things more representative of U.S. culture than American football. It is an extravaganza, complete with exciting halftime shows and peppy cheerleaders. The game exemplifies national pride. The national anthem is played, flags are unfurled, and uniformed players charge up and down the field like an army in the throes of often violent conflict. The teams’ huddles divide the game into small planning sessions for the next play. In the United States, the National Football League (NFL) oversees the sport and, like any successful business, wants to score in new markets. The NFL first tackled Europe in 1991, with plans to establish American football there. After years of failed attempts, NFL Europe emerged as six teams, five of which were based in Germany (such as the Berlin Thunder, the Cologne Centurions, and the Hamburg Sea Devils). Earlier teams established in Spain had failed. Why did American football triumph in Germany but fail in Spain? An excellent metaphor for Spanish culture is the bullfight, an ancient...
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