CULTURE Ch. 1 Introduction to Cultural Diversity

Question 1

Two Assumptions of Anthropology

Answer 1

1) To truly understand human nature, you must COMPARE behavior and attitudes ACROSS CULTURES.
2) People are best understood HOLISTICALLY, looking at all aspects of life, including biological and cultural influences.

Question 2

Anthropology

Answer 2

Study of the Human Species and it’s immediate ancestors.

Question 3

Holistic

Answer 3

Referring to the WHOLE of the human condition, past, present, and future – biology, society, language, and culture.

Question 4

Society

Answer 4

ORGANIZED LIFE in GROUPS – different societies are different groups of organized life with their own culture, rules, traditions, etc.

Question 5

Cultures

Answer 5

A society’s TRADITIONS and CUSTOMS that govern behavior and beliefs – distinctly human and transmitted through learning.

Question 6

Enculturation

Answer 6

This is when CHILDREN learn their CULTURE over time.

The gradual acquisition of the characteristics and norms of a culture by a person (or group of people) – the ADAPTATION of people to ANOTHER CULTURE.

Question 7

What are the Biological Capacities on which Culture Depends

Answer 7

The abilities to learn, THINK SYMBOLICALLY, use language, employ tools, organize their lives, and adapt to their environments.

Question 8

Adaptation

Answer 8

The process by which organisms cope with environmental stresses.

Question 9

Topography

Answer 9

The SHAPE and features of LAND surfaces. Mountains, lakes, plains, rivers, valleys, deserts, jungles – all help define the topography of an area.

TOPOGRAPHY is critically important in the creation of the CULTURES that live in a particular topographical area.

Question 10

Cultural Adaptation vs. Biological Adaptation

Answer 10

CULTURAL ADAPTATION refers to the process of coping with environmental forces and stresses – like adapting to dry climates or mountain altitudes.

• A form of cultural adaptation is Technological advancement. People adapted to colder climates by protecting themselves with built shelters and animal skins as well as learning how to create and maintain fires.

BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION refers to changes in the body either GENETICALLY (like developing larger lung capacities over generations for those who live at high altitudes) or temporarily adapting with AVAILABLE BIOLOGICAL ABILITIES (Increased heart rate and heavier breathing when someone unaccustomed to high altitudes climbs to the top of a mountain).

Question 11

Foraging vs. Food Production

Answer 11

The move from foraging (finding food in the wild) to producing food (FARMING) CREATED the FOUNDATION for humans to settle in one place and for COMPLEX SOCIETIES.

Question 12

4 Types of Adaptation

Answer 12

1) Cultural (Changes in technology and attitude)
2) Genetic – Biological (Occurs over generations)
3) Short-Term Physiological – Biological (increased heart rate, sweating, hyperventilation)
4) Long-Term Physiological – Biological (More efficient respiratory system for people growing up at high altitudes)

Question 13

Four-Fields of Anthropology

Answer 13

1) Sociocultural (Culture)
2) Archaeological (Artifacts)
3) Biological (Evolution)
4) Linguistic (Languages)

Question 14

Biocultural

Answer 14

Refers to the COMBINATION of both BIOLOGICAL and CULTURAL perspectives to address a particular issue.

Culture is a key environmental force in determining how human bodies grow and develop. (cultural ideas of beauty and athletic pursuit)