Anthropology

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the broad study of humanity in all its aspects, across all times and places. It seeks to understand what makes us human, by examining our biology, culture, and societies from evolutionary origins to contemporary diversity.

Key Concepts

Core concepts include:

• Cultural Relativism: Understanding cultures on their own terms.
• Holism: Viewing human life as interconnected across different domains.
• Ethnography: In-depth study of a particular culture.
• Evolution: The biological and cultural development of humans.

Subfields of Anthropology

Anthropology is traditionally divided into four main subfields:

1. Cultural Anthropology: Studies living cultures and their social structures.
2. Archaeology: Studies past human societies through material remains.
3. Biological (Physical) Anthropology: Studies human evolution, genetics, and primatology.
4. Linguistic Anthropology: Studies the role of language in human social life.

Applications of Anthropology

Anthropological insights are applied in diverse fields such as:

• International development
• Healthcare
• Marketing and business
• Museum studies
• Forensic science

Challenges and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that anthropology only studies ‘primitive’ societies. In reality, it examines all human societies, past and present, complex or simple. A challenge is navigating ethical considerations in fieldwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main goal of anthropology? To understand human diversity and commonalities.

How does anthropology differ from sociology? Anthropology often focuses on smaller-scale societies and cross-cultural comparisons, while sociology typically studies larger, industrialized societies.