What does An Anthropologist do? Lesson 2: Anthropological research & methods

The Stanford Prison Experiment Psychological study conducted by Philip Zimbardo at Stanford University in 1971Psychological study Took college student volunteers and divided them up: –Half were assigned as guards and half were assigned as inmates in a mock prison The experiment was supposed to last 2 weeks, but was stopped after 6 days –The participants began to really act like their roles –It became difficult to differentiate between role play and reality –Guards treated inmates like they were animals, dehumanizing them This experiment exemplifies: –The psychological repercussions of such research –The problems with studying humans scientifically

The Ethics of Social Research Ethics is the first consideration we need to make when designing research projects –We always need to be mindful that our work exists within society We should take consider the following ethical questions: –Does the research harm anyone? –Can the research be used for potential harm or misuse? –Do we have informed consent for our research? Meaning agreement to take part in the research –Does the experiment invade anyone’s privacy?

Ethics and Deception Researchers using deception walk a fine line. Unacceptable deception: Milgram’s experiment –Why? – Some participants experienced psychological harm Acceptable deception: Book dropping experiment –Why? – No harm caused to participants Benefits: –Allows researcher to see how people respond in specific situations

Do Anthropologists Use Deception? Code of Ethics of the American Anthropological Association: “In both proposing and carrying out research, anthropological researchers must be open about the purpose(s), potential impacts, and source(s) of support for research projects with funders, colleagues, persons studied or providing information, and with relevant parties affected by the research”

Ideal vs. Real What people say they do How people actually behave

American Anthropology William Rathje (1973) Archaeological study of human waste to examine patterns of consumption What people reported of their consumption habits often did not match their what was in their garbage Especially true with alcohol

Can we Study Society Scientifically? Positivism The scientific method involves developing a hypothesis and then testing that hypothesis through experiment Is it possible to control the lived experience? Can we replicate the work of others in social research?

Approaches in Anthropological Research Ethnology The comparative study of peoples to present analytical generalizations about human culture Generalizations are problematic Ethnography A systematic and descriptive study of a group of people or social issue based on fieldwork Literally means “writing culture, so they are written observations of participant observation activities.

Ethnographic Research Most American anthropologists research ethnographically –Qualitative emersion –Thick Descriptions –Reflexive –Theoretically grounded analysis –Challenge stereotypes Pages 6-7 in Core Concepts in Cultural Anthropology

Anthropological Fieldwork A lengthy process where we research a specific social issue among a particular group of people. –Begins in the classroom with our training –We then research our topic and write a proposal –We then can enter the field…

The Field There is no one way in which to enter the field. –Each location is different Culture Shock –An uncomfortable feeling resulting from being surrounded by things you are not used to –Many, if not all, experience this Life Shock –Quick and unexpected –Can result in fainting, vomiting, or hysterics

Research Methods Qualitative –Scientific Experiment –Survey Qualitative –Interview –Participant Observation

Ethnographic Interview Differs from survey in types of questions –Survey: close-ended –Interview: open-ended Objective is to get detailed insight from one person

Participant Observation Very self-explanatory Anthropologists do not just observe –We actively participate, but are not like the other participants. –By participating, we impact our research We write our experiences in field notes

Additional Sources Cultural artifacts –literature, paintings, films, newspapers, television programs, and photography Statistical data Maps Measurements

Ethnocentrism The belief that your way of life is the best or correct way −See your way as natural −All others as backward, weird, or wrong Anthropologists must avoid this

Cultural Relativism The practice of suspending one’s enthnocentrism and viewing things within their own cultural context “There is no right or wrong way to do anything. There’s just different ways.” - Prof. Ratcliffe

Exam Review Questions What are the key steps in designing social research projects (Lecture material)? –What must we consider first? Can we study society scientifically (Chapter 1 in Core Concepts)?? –What was Zimbardo’s experiment (Lecture material)? What is the definition and application of the following concepts (Chapter 1 in Core Concepts)? The holistic perspective Field site Fieldwork Interview Survey Participant observation Ethnology Ethnography Ethnocentrism Cultural relativism Culture shock Positivism