Anthropology

Definition of Anthropology

Etymological definition in Greek:

Anthropo = man; human beings; humankind

Logia = study of; knowledge

Anthropology is the systematic study of man, human beings or humankind.

*Man is multi-faceted; has many sides.

*Man is a physical and cultural being. That is why

Anthropology is linked to all other sub disciplines and subfields that pertain to the study of man: Sociology, Psychology, Physiology, Literature, Arts and Aesthetics, Political Science, etc.

Let us look at the systematic study of a multi-faceted man Ð"

4 Sub disciplines or Subfields of Anthropology

Open to page 4 (your textbook)

Anthropology has four major sub disciplines or subfields in the scientific (systematic) study of man:

- Physical Anthropology- human evolution and human variation

- Cultural Anthropology- ways of life of contemporary cultures

- Archaeology - reconstruct the past or prehistory of man through artifacts

- Linguistic Anthropology-language and culture

Anthropology is SOCIAL SCIENCE

Ð'* Anthropology is NOT a romantic life with primitive people in a far-off jungle!

Ð'* Anthropology is NOT a trip to some exotic place to dance the hula!

Ð'* Anthropology is NOT just a monkey-hugging business!

Ð'* Anthropology IS by itself SCIENCE, a SOCIAL SCIENCE because it follows a SCIENTIFIC APPROACH or METHOD.

Ð'* What is a scientific method (page 16, yrtxbk).

Scientific Method

Ð'* Scientific method Ð'- a logical system used to evaluate data derived from systematic observation

Ð'* Used by researchers to observe and gather data:

- Natural environments (ecology, labs)

- Social environments (where people are)

Process of scientific method:

ObservationÐ" Explanation of Variables to build General TheoryÐ" Specific Data Gathering Ð" Hypothesis Ð" Testing of Data Ð" Explanation Ð" Conclusion.

Two categories of Scientific Method

Ð'* Inductive Ð'- scientists first make observations and collect data (variables) to develop general theory and hypothesis (testable proposition about relationship between variables).

Ex. Variables: earthquakes, tsunami, ocean currents, weather phenomena General theory: relationship of natural phenomena and to change in global temperature.

Ð'* Deductive Ð'- scientists begin with a general theory and develop testable hypothesis, then followed by collecting data to test the hypothesis. (Invert the inductive method).

You should be able to know the meaning and applicability of the following terms:

Ð'* Scientific method: deductive, inductive

Ð'* Observation

Ð'* Data, Variables, related variables

Ð'* Hypothesis, Null hypothesis

Ð'* Theories

Ð'* Testability/Verifiability

Ð'* Explanation of relationships

Ð'* Tentative conclusion (no absolute truth)

Ð'* Replicability of research

Anthropological Holistic Method

Ð'* Applicability in research in cultural anthropology

Ð'* For beginners, this method is simple;

Ð'* For trained anthropologists and non-anthropologists, the simplicity can be made complex later

Ð'* I will provide you with tools for this method.

The basic elements in scientific process in anthropology

Ð'* Outsider Ð'- You

Ð'* Phenomenon Ð'- a problematic situation, things, behavior, language,