University:
Tyler Junior College
Course:
ANTH 2301 | Anthropology
Academic year:

2024
Views:

386

Pages:

2
Author:

Dave D.

The Essence of Cultural Anthropology ANTH 2301 Overview A branch of anthropology called "cultural anthropology" studies the differences in human cultures and aims to comprehend how these differences affect social interactions and individual experiences. This article will examine the fundamentals of cultural anthropology as a field of study, emphasising the field's significance in comprehending the customs, beliefs, and behaviours of society that influence people's behaviour. What Cultural Anthropology Is Not The study of human cultural diversity is known as cultural anthropology. It looks at the common values, customs, and beliefs that make up a community. When performing fieldwork, anthropologists could, for example, fully immerse themselves in a community in order to gather qualitative data through observations and interviews. Margaret Mead's anthropological research in Samoa provide as a noteworthy illustration of how cultural settings impact perceptions of adolescence. Her research cast doubt on widely held beliefs about the universality of human development and highlighted the critical influence of culture on the formation of personal experiences. Mutual Understanding and Cultural Relativism Cultural relativism, the idea that an individual's actions and views should be understood in light of their own culture rather than being evaluated in relation to the standards of another, is one of the core ideas of cultural anthropology. In order to promote a deeper comprehension of human behaviours and practices, this idea is crucial. For instance, cultural anthropologists point out that although arranged weddings are seen negatively in the West, they really help to fortify social cohesiveness and familial ties in many societies. Through the application of a culturally relativistic lens, anthropologists can reveal the deeper meaning behind seemingly alien practices. What Ethnography Can Do A key technique in cultural anthropology is ethnography, which involves extensive fieldwork in communities. By using in-depth interviews and participant observation, anthropologists are able to obtain rich qualitative insights and narratives that help them better comprehend other cultures. Clifford Geertz's ethnographic research in Bali, where he examined the complexities of Balinese cockfighting as a social activity that reflected deeper cultural meanings and conflicts, is a relevant example. Geertz's analysis of the cockfight as a representation of social rank and cultural identity demonstrates how anthropological approaches may reveal intricate social processes that are frequently missed. In summary In conclusion, cultural anthropology is essential to comprehending the many manifestations of human civilisation. Cultural anthropologists provide insight into the complexities of human behaviour by investigating cultural norms, beliefs, and practices and applying approaches like ethnography and cultural relativism. This field not only deepens our comprehension of many cultures, but it also encourages a heightened awareness and compassion for cultural diversity. Citations C. Geertz (1973). Selected essays from The Interpretation of Cultures. Basic Books, New York M. Mead (1928). Samoan Coming of Age: A Psychological Analysis of Primitive Youth for Western Culture. Morrow, New York

The Essence of Cultural Anthropology

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