Chapter 1, The Study of Humanity Key Terms

anthropology The academic discipline that studies all of humanity from a broad perspective. biological/physical anthropology Concerned with the biological evolution of the human species, the behavior and anatomy of monkeys and apes and the physical variations among and between different human populations.

primatology Study of the evolution, anatomy, social behavior and adaptation of primates. paleoanthropology The study of the evolution of the human species.

human variation Study of how and why human populations vary physically. forensic anthropology Specialists in this area work for or consult with law enforcement agencies to analyze and help identify human skeletal remains.

archaeology The study of the human past by excavating and analyzing material remains. prehistoric archaeology Study of cultures that lived before the development of writing.

historic archaeology Supplements written records with excavations of houses, stores, plantations, factories and other historic structures. cultural resource management A field of anthropology that includes locating sites of prehistoric and historic significance, evaluating their importance and making recommendations about total or partial preservation.

contract archaeology Firms in this field bid competitively for the privilege of locating, excavating and reporting on sites affected or destroyed by construction. cultural anthropology The study of contemporary and historically recent human societies and cultures.

fieldwork Moving into the community under study, communicating in the local language and living in close contact with the people. ethnography A written account of how a single human population lives.

anthropological linguistics Concerned with the complex relations between language and other aspects of human behavior and thought. applied anthropology Applying the study of anthropology to solving human problems.

medical anthropologist Investigate the interactions between and among human health, nutrition, social environment and cultural beliefs and practices. development anthropologist Provide information on communities that help agencies adapt projects to local conditions and needs.

educational anthropologist Work in public agencies and private institutions to advise on educational issues and observe classrooms. corporate anthropologist Advise executives and sales staff on what to expect and how to speak and act when they conduct business in other countries.

holistic perspective No aspect of a culture can be understood without exploring its relation to aspects of the culture. comparative perspective General ideas about humans or human societies or cultures must be tested from a comparative perspective.

cultural relativism No culture is inherently superior or inferior to any other culture. ethnocentrism The belief that moral standards, manners and attitudes of one's own culture are superior to those of other cultures.