Vocab
What term describes the common elements studied by anthropologists across different cultures?
Cultural universals
Name one aspect of culture that is universal among all human societies.
Language, family, art, or humor.
What is meant by "world view"?
A world view is the framework of ideas and beliefs through which individuals interpret the world.
Why is language considered a vital part of culture?
Language is vital for sharing knowledge and cultural values across generations.
How long ago did human language likely begin to develop?
Estimates range from about 50,000 to 200,000 years ago.
Define "cultural universals."
Cultural universals are common elements that are found in all cultures.
How do language differences manifest in American English compared to British English?
Differences manifest in word usage, such as "boot" vs. "trunk" or "soda" vs. "pop."
How do rituals differ from everyday behaviors?
Rituals are often formalized practices that hold symbolic meaning, whereas everyday behaviors may not carry the same significance.
What is body language, and how does it vary between cultures?
Body language refers to nonverbal communication methods that can vary culturally, such as gestures or facial expressions.
What are language families?
Language families are groups of languages that have a common ancestral language.
What is the term for the symbolic actions that represent something else?
A ritual is a set of symbolic actions that represent something else.
What role does family play in different cultures?
Family is a core element of all cultures, although its structure and roles can vary widely.
Explain the significance of religion in shaping ideological culture.
Religion provides frameworks for understanding existence and often includes rituals that reinforce community values.
How does nonverbal communication complement spoken language?
Nonverbal communication complements spoken language by providing additional context or emotional cues.
Why are unwritten languages at risk of extinction?
Unwritten languages are at risk of extinction because they are not passed down through formal education and may not be learned by younger generations.
What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that the structure of a language affects its speakers' worldview and cognition.
Describe how art varies among cultures but remains a universal trait.
While every culture has art, its form and significance can differ greatly, e.g., traditional paintings vs. modern digital art.
What are some examples of rituals in American culture?
Examples include prom, graduation ceremonies, or Thanksgiving.
Explain how young children learn language.
Young children learn language by listening to adults and mimicking their speech, often starting with few words and simple sentences.
Describe how languages can change over time.
Languages change as new words are created or borrowed, and old words may fall out of use or change in meaning.
What is the meaning of "enculturation"?
Enculturation is the process through which individuals learn and adopt the values and norms of their culture.
Give an example of how humor can vary between generations within the same culture.
An example is that grandparents may not find contemporary online humor funny, whereas younger generations do.
Discuss how social values can change rituals over time.
Social values can lead to changes in rituals, like evolving customs around prom attendance.
Discuss the differences between human and nonhuman animal communication.
Human communication is more complex and can convey abstract thoughts, while animal communication is typically instinctive and limited.
Discuss the impact of colonization on indigenous languages.
Colonization often leads to the loss of indigenous languages as native speakers adopt the colonizers' language.