Subfields
This subfield studies human culture, beliefs, and social practices across different societies.
cultural anthropology
This term refers to the process by which individuals learn their culture through socialization and interaction with others.
enculturation
The in-depth study and detailed description of a culture, based on immersive fieldwork.
ethnography
Arbitrary sign
symbol
The ways a society obtains food and resources to survive.
subsistence
Solves real-world problems.
applied anthropology
Belief that ones culture is superior
ethnocentrism
Insider view
emic
The concept that language shapes thought
Sapir-Whorf
What subsistence pattern is immediate return
foraging
Immersive method
participant-observation
Understand culture on its terms, while suspending your own
cultural relativism
Outsider view
etic
Smallest sound unit
phoneme
A way of life based on herding animals for food and resources.
pastoralism
Studies human evolution
biological anthropology
The idea that to truly understand human behavior, you must consider the entire cultural, social, historical, and environmental context.
holism
A trust relationship
rapport
Switching speech styles
code-switching
Giving without a set expectation of return (no exact value or time frame).
generalized reciprocity
Founder of American anthropology
Franz Boas
The mental aspect of culture—what people think is true, real, or meaningful.
Belief
Deep context analysis
thick description
Language influences worldview
linguistic relativity
The ways a society organizes the production, exchange, and consumption of goods and services.
Economic systems