CHAPTER 12 Applying Anthropology

Applying Anthropology Dimensions of American anthropology: Academic or theoretical anthropology Applied anthropology Application of anthropological data, perspectives, theory, and methods to identify, assess, and solve contemporary social problems All four subdisciplines

Role of Applied Anthropologists Early applications Application was a central concern of early anthropology in Great Britain (during colonialism) and in the U.S. (Native American policy) Modern applied anthropology differs from earlier approaches

Academic and applied anthropology Academic anthropology expanded after World War II Applied anthropology began to grow in the 1970s

Applied anthropology today Appropriate roles for applied anthropologists: Identifying locally perceived needs for change Working with local people to design culturally appropriate, socially sensitive change Protecting interests of local people

Development anthropology Branch of applied anthropology that focuses on social issues in, and the cultural dimension of, economic development

Strategies for innovation To maximize social and economic benefits, development projects must: Be culturally compatible Respond to locally perceived needs Involve men and women in planning and carrying out the changes that affect them Harness traditional organizations Be flexible

Strategies for innovation Overinnovation – too much change Underdifferentiation – tendency to overlook cultural diversity and view less-developed countries as more alike than they truly are

Strategies for innovation Third World models Best models for economic development are to be found in target communities

Anthropology and education

Urban anthropology Cross-cultural and ethnographic study of global urbanization and life in cities

Medical anthropology Health Care Systems Study of disease, health problems, health care systems, and theories about illness in different cultures and ethnic groups Theories about the causes of illness Personalistic disease theories Naturalistic disease theories Emotionalistic disease theories Health Care Systems Western vs. non-Western medicine

Anthropology and business For business, key features of anthropology include: Ethnography and observation as ways of gathering data Cross-cultural expertise Focus on cultural diversity

Careers and Anthropology Anthropology’s breadth provides an excellent foundation for many careers