Introduction to Introduction to Cultural Cultural

AnthropologyAnthropologyCulture as a Central ConceptCulture as a Central Concept

What is Anthropology?What is Anthropology?

The word is from two Greek terms:The word is from two Greek terms: Anthropos: Anthropos: “man” or by extension “man” or by extension

“human”“human” Logos: Logos: “study of” or “science of” “study of” or “science of” But any field from medicine to law is But any field from medicine to law is

about humansabout humans

Anthropology: Study of Anthropology: Study of CultureCulture

We might define anthropology asWe might define anthropology as The holistic and comparative studyThe holistic and comparative study Of humankind and its cultureOf humankind and its culture As observed in the fieldAs observed in the field As reconstructed in the pastAs reconstructed in the past As reflected in language that carries itAs reflected in language that carries it And as shown in the biological And as shown in the biological

capacity for itcapacity for it But what is culture?But what is culture?

Culture: Anthropology’s Culture: Anthropology’s Main ConceptMain Concept

E.B. TylorE.B. Tylor, anthropology’s , anthropology’s founder, gave a definition to founder, gave a definition to start with: start with:

““That complex whole which That complex whole which includesincludes

Knowledge, beliefs, arts, Knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, custommorals, law, custom

And any other capabilities And any other capabilities and habitsand habits

Acquired by man [both Acquired by man [both genders]genders]

As a member of society”As a member of society”

Concept of CultureConcept of Culture

All cultures have at least five All cultures have at least five characteristics in common: characteristics in common:

Culture is learnedCulture is learned Culture is based on symbolsCulture is based on symbols Culture is sharedCulture is shared Culture is patterned or integratedCulture is patterned or integrated Culture is usually adaptiveCulture is usually adaptive

Culture is LearnedCulture is Learned

All we do, say, or believe is All we do, say, or believe is learned, as these photos learned, as these photos show.show.

Yanomamo mother is about Yanomamo mother is about to teach her daughter to teach her daughter gardeninggardening

Yanomamo boys learning Yanomamo boys learning to hunt by shooting a lizardto hunt by shooting a lizard

Enculturation:Enculturation: learning learning the ways of a culture the ways of a culture

Culture is not Genetically Culture is not Genetically AcquiredAcquired

We inherit our We inherit our capacitycapacity for culturefor culture

But unlike bees, we do But unlike bees, we do not inherit our abilitiesnot inherit our abilities

This scout is dancing This scout is dancing figure-eights to figure-eights to

Tell the other bees Tell the other bees where the pollen source where the pollen source isis

But this ability is geneticBut this ability is genetic Our behavior is learnedOur behavior is learned

Culture is Not Acquired by Culture is Not Acquired by ConditioningConditioning

This dog learned to carry the This dog learned to carry the remote to its ownerremote to its owner

After being rewarded with After being rewarded with something else—a bone or something else—a bone or biscuitbiscuit

These parrots learned to talkThese parrots learned to talk Owing to food reward for doing Owing to food reward for doing

soso Both dog and birds were Both dog and birds were

conditioned conditioned We do not learn culture only We do not learn culture only

from rewards for desired from rewards for desired behaviorbehavior

Culture is Acquired Culture is Acquired Through SymbolsThrough Symbols

Culture is learned through Culture is learned through languagelanguage

Babies learn language from Babies learn language from birth:birth:

Through language they Through language they acquire cultureacquire culture

Language is based on Language is based on symbolssymbols

Their capacity for language Their capacity for language is inheritedis inherited

But not theirBut not their own own language. language.

What is a Symbol?What is a Symbol? DefinitionDefinition: Object or event that is : Object or event that is Intrinsically unrelated to another Intrinsically unrelated to another Thing or event to which it refersThing or event to which it refers Example: This U.S. FlagExample: This U.S. Flag What do the stars represent?What do the stars represent? What do the stripes represent?What do the stripes represent? Do we confuse the stars with the Do we confuse the stars with the

U.S. States?U.S. States? Do we confuse the stripes with the Do we confuse the stripes with the

13 Colonies?13 Colonies? So both the stars and stripes are So both the stars and stripes are

symbolssymbols

There Are Other SymbolsThere Are Other Symbols What does the octagon represent?What does the octagon represent? How about the inverted triangle?How about the inverted triangle? Again, would you confuse the two Again, would you confuse the two

with stop or yield?with stop or yield? But the arrow does have an intrinsic But the arrow does have an intrinsic

meaning:meaning: It tell you where to go It tell you where to go The Mayan figures are using a The Mayan figures are using a

languagelanguage This is the most symbolic event of allThis is the most symbolic event of all Even what they wear is symbolic—of Even what they wear is symbolic—of

nobility and their Maya-nessnobility and their Maya-ness

Cultures are Based on Cultures are Based on Symbolism Called Symbolism Called

LanguageLanguage Expression “cat” comprises 3 sounds:Expression “cat” comprises 3 sounds: C-a-t or in International Phonetic AlphabetC-a-t or in International Phonetic Alphabet [k æ t]: IPA is designed for one letter, one sound[k æ t]: IPA is designed for one letter, one sound [k] means nothing, nor do [æ] or [t][k] means nothing, nor do [æ] or [t] Put together, they mean a feline animalPut together, they mean a feline animal But you wouldn’t confuse “cat” with the symbolBut you wouldn’t confuse “cat” with the symbol Switch them around and you have [æ k t] “act”Switch them around and you have [æ k t] “act” Bottom line: none of the three sounds has any Bottom line: none of the three sounds has any

meaning, in and of itselfmeaning, in and of itself But they can be combined to mean many thingsBut they can be combined to mean many things Culture is just as adaptive as languageCulture is just as adaptive as language

Symbolism and CultureSymbolism and Culture

Symbols are the root of all cultureSymbols are the root of all culture Bees cannot change their behaviorBees cannot change their behavior Dogs cannot be trained except by Dogs cannot be trained except by

imitation and rewardimitation and reward But humans can change behavior at But humans can change behavior at

willwill Evidence: Cultures are diverseEvidence: Cultures are diverse Evidence: Cultures can and do changeEvidence: Cultures can and do change

Culture is SharedCulture is Shared

A group with common A group with common language and custom language and custom shares a cultureshares a culture

Groups may be as Groups may be as small as 50 (!Kung small as 50 (!Kung band seen here)band seen here)

They may comprise They may comprise nation of millions (e.g. nation of millions (e.g. Japan, shown by these Japan, shown by these schoolgirls here)schoolgirls here)

Shared Behavior and Shared Behavior and SubculturesSubcultures

Definition: subcultures Definition: subcultures share some features with share some features with dominant culturedominant culture

But have distinctive But have distinctive attributes of their ownattributes of their own

Counterculture is regarded Counterculture is regarded by some as a subcultureby some as a subculture

(Frank Zappa, (Frank Zappa, counterculture icon, had a counterculture icon, had a Berlin street named after Berlin street named after him)him)

But the counterculture did But the counterculture did not survive into the next not survive into the next generationgeneration

Shared Behavior and Shared Behavior and Subcultures: Subcultures:

The Amish are a true subcultureThe Amish are a true subculture Amish seem similar to dominant Amish seem similar to dominant

culture (farm in Indiana)culture (farm in Indiana) Until you notice all farmingUntil you notice all farming Is by horsepower (literally)Is by horsepower (literally) There are no machines, no carsThere are no machines, no cars Other features: have own Other features: have own

(German) schools, communes, (German) schools, communes, Anabaptist religionAnabaptist religion

The Amish have persisted The Amish have persisted through the generations since through the generations since the 17the 17thth cent. cent.

Culture is Culture is Patterned/IntegratedPatterned/Integrated

One aspect of culture reflects One aspect of culture reflects other aspectsother aspects

They all fit into a pattern as a They all fit into a pattern as a wholewhole

Examples of integrationExamples of integration Extreme example: Extreme example:

Teotihuacan’s pyramid (upper) Teotihuacan’s pyramid (upper) probably weren’t built by probably weren’t built by

tribesmen like these Kawelkatribesmen like these Kawelka But pig feasts did fit in with But pig feasts did fit in with

Kawelka tribal culture. How?Kawelka tribal culture. How?

Example of Cultural Example of Cultural Integration: Pyramid Integration: Pyramid

ConstructionConstruction To construct a pyramid like To construct a pyramid like

the Pyramid of the Sun at the Pyramid of the Sun at TeotihuacanTeotihuacan

You need a large crewYou need a large crew Organized by a state-level Organized by a state-level

societysociety Similar to this depiction at Similar to this depiction at

an Assyrian sitean Assyrian site And a large population baseAnd a large population base Estimated at 75,000-Estimated at 75,000-

200,000200,000

Example of Cultural Example of Cultural Integration: KawelkaIntegration: Kawelka

The Kawelka of New GuineaThe Kawelka of New Guinea Organize their culture around pig Organize their culture around pig

feasts held every decadefeasts held every decade There is no state; war was There is no state; war was

prevalentprevalent Big men like Ongka (left) directed Big men like Ongka (left) directed

both war and feasts both war and feasts Unlike emperors, he could not Unlike emperors, he could not

boss his tribesmen aroundboss his tribesmen around Population was about 1,000Population was about 1,000 Pig feasts replaced warfarePig feasts replaced warfare

Culture is Generally Culture is Generally AdaptiveAdaptive

Technology generally reflects Technology generally reflects features of environmentfeatures of environment

Settled communities: usually Settled communities: usually indicate stable food supply, indicate stable food supply,

Such as the Aztec chinampas Such as the Aztec chinampas (raised platforms)(raised platforms)

Grasslands are best for Grasslands are best for pastoralism,pastoralism,

Such as this Mongolian campSuch as this Mongolian camp Cultures can become poorly Cultures can become poorly

adapted during rapid changeadapted during rapid change

So How Do We Define So How Do We Define Anthropology?Anthropology?

Your syllabus: “The Comparative and Your syllabus: “The Comparative and Holistic Study of Humankind”Holistic Study of Humankind”

Comparative:Comparative: Tries to answer the Tries to answer the questions of why cultures are the way they questions of why cultures are the way they areare

Holistic:Holistic: Asks two questions: Asks two questions: Ethnographic HolismEthnographic Holism: Asks whether, : Asks whether,

and if so how, all parts of a culture fit and if so how, all parts of a culture fit togethertogether

Disciplinary Holism:Disciplinary Holism: Ask how all the Ask how all the four subfields of anthropology fit togetherfour subfields of anthropology fit together

Four Fields of Four Fields of AnthropologyAnthropology

Cultural Anthropology: Cultural Anthropology: The comparative The comparative study of cultures around the worldstudy of cultures around the world

Archaeology: Archaeology: The comparative study of past The comparative study of past cultures through its material cultural remainscultures through its material cultural remains

Physical Anthropology: Physical Anthropology: The comparative The comparative study of human attributes, past and presentstudy of human attributes, past and present

Linguistics: Linguistics: The study of spoken language, a The study of spoken language, a distinctly human traitdistinctly human trait

How they fit: all involve a question about How they fit: all involve a question about culture: where it came from, what it entailsculture: where it came from, what it entails

Defining Cultural Defining Cultural AnthropologyAnthropology

It involves the study of mostly It involves the study of mostly non-Western culturesnon-Western cultures

Central concern is Central concern is kinshipkinship, , because marriage and family because marriage and family are our first institutionsare our first institutions

Also includes Also includes technologytechnology, from , from hunting to housebuildinghunting to housebuilding

Economic AnthropologyEconomic Anthropology: how : how goods and services are goods and services are produced and distributedproduced and distributed

Political AnthropologyPolitical Anthropology: The : The study of power and social study of power and social controlcontrol

Other areas:Other areas: the supernatural the supernatural, , psychology, culture change, psychology, culture change, arts and oral traditionarts and oral tradition

Defining ArchaeologyDefining Archaeology Reconstruction of Reconstruction of

past cultures: past cultures: focus is focus is on techniqueson techniques

Looks at artifacts: Looks at artifacts: portable objects from portable objects from tools to Venus tools to Venus sculpturessculptures

Looks at structures: Looks at structures: Huts to pyramidsHuts to pyramids

Excavations destroy Excavations destroy everything: everything: Objects Objects have to be measured have to be measured exactly where found exactly where found before removalbefore removal

Defining Physical Defining Physical AnthropologyAnthropology

The studies of past and present The studies of past and present human formshuman forms

Comparative Primate Anatomy: Comparative Primate Anatomy: How similar or different we are from How similar or different we are from the monkeys and apesthe monkeys and apes

Fossil Hominins: Fossil Hominins: How we evolved How we evolved from from Australopithecus Australopithecus (“Lucy”) to (“Lucy”) to HomoHomo

Cultural Capacity: Cultural Capacity: Defines how we Defines how we acquired ability to speak, make tools, acquired ability to speak, make tools, walk on two feetwalk on two feet

Human Variation: Human Variation: Study of so-called Study of so-called races—a present concernraces—a present concern

Forensic Science: Forensic Science: Tracing evidence Tracing evidence of criminal activity of criminal activity

Defining LinguisticsDefining Linguistics The study of spoken The study of spoken

language around the language around the worldworld

Focuses on phones Focuses on phones (speech sounds) and (speech sounds) and phonemes (sound units phonemes (sound units that carry language)that carry language)

Looks at word and Looks at word and sentence formationsentence formation

Relates language to Relates language to cultureculture

The Rationale for The Rationale for Comparison: ScienceComparison: Science

Here’s a cross-cultural question in Here’s a cross-cultural question in economics:economics:

When do cultures need money and When do cultures need money and markets?markets?

Partial Answer: When everyone cannot Partial Answer: When everyone cannot produce everything for themselvesproduce everything for themselves

We can test this proposition against a wide We can test this proposition against a wide range of culturesrange of cultures

Examples: Aztecs, West Africa, HaitiExamples: Aztecs, West Africa, Haiti Exceptions: The Inca, with limited markets Exceptions: The Inca, with limited markets

but an administrative economy. Why?but an administrative economy. Why?

The Point of Comparison: The Point of Comparison: Anthropology Vs. Other Anthropology Vs. Other

DisciplinesDisciplines Economics: Focus is on industrial Economics: Focus is on industrial

societiessocieties Sociology: Social relations in Sociology: Social relations in

industrial societiesindustrial societies Psychology: Study of hang-ups in Psychology: Study of hang-ups in

industrial societiesindustrial societies Anthropology provides data on all Anthropology provides data on all

these aspectsthese aspects Across Across all all cultures around the worldcultures around the world..

Anthropology is HolisticAnthropology is Holistic Ethnographic Holism: Ethnographic Holism: The “fit” between The “fit” between

different parts of a culturedifferent parts of a culture Example: The pig feasts among the Example: The pig feasts among the

KawelkaKawelka Example: The political prerequisites of Example: The political prerequisites of

pyramid buildingpyramid building Disciplinary Holism: Disciplinary Holism: Ask why we include Ask why we include

the following under “anthropology”the following under “anthropology” Physical AnthropologyPhysical Anthropology LinguisticsLinguistics Cultural AnthropologyCultural Anthropology ArchaeologyArchaeology

Blind Men as Metaphor of Blind Men as Metaphor of the Social Sciencesthe Social Sciences

EconomicsEconomics focuses on economic focuses on economic man (and woman)man (and woman)

Political sciencePolitical science is about humans is about humans hungry for powerhungry for power

PsychologyPsychology is about human with is about human with various drives: sexual, hunger, various drives: sexual, hunger, prestigeprestige

SociologySociology is about social humans is about social humans

Anthropology as HolisticAnthropology as Holistic

Culture is intangibleCulture is intangible, so in a sense, so in a sense Anthropologists (and everyone else)Anthropologists (and everyone else) Has a blindness of sortsHas a blindness of sorts And so all disagree what culture is.And so all disagree what culture is. Cultures cannot be describedCultures cannot be described Without understanding how their Without understanding how their

parts fitparts fit Both elephants and cultures are Both elephants and cultures are

more than the sum of their partsmore than the sum of their parts

Tying The Subfields to Tying The Subfields to Culture: Physical Culture: Physical

AnthropologyAnthropology Our brain: Our brain: Source of our languageSource of our language Source of our tool-making Source of our tool-making

abilityability Our Lungs and Mouth: Our Lungs and Mouth:

Our ability to speakOur ability to speak Our Arms and Hands: Our Arms and Hands:

Our ability to make and Our ability to make and use toolsuse tools

Our Bipedal Skeleton: Our Bipedal Skeleton: Our ability to stand, walk, Our ability to stand, walk, and ability to do all of the and ability to do all of the aboveabove

Tying the Subfields to Tying the Subfields to Culture: LinguisticsCulture: Linguistics

We learn everything through We learn everything through language:language:

Even the blind and deaf Even the blind and deaf (Helen Keller and Ann (Helen Keller and Ann Sullivan)Sullivan)

We can think of things not We can think of things not tangible: math equations, tangible: math equations, things not present, things things not present, things nonexistentnonexistent

We can produce new words We can produce new words where necessary, from blip where necessary, from blip to iPodto iPod

Tying the Subfields to Tying the Subfields to Culture: ArchaeologyCulture: Archaeology

Comparative study primarily of Comparative study primarily of cultural remains of human cultural remains of human societiessocieties

(Even stone tools are hard to (Even stone tools are hard to identify)identify)

Human and prehuman physical Human and prehuman physical remains are also important remains are also important

(Did Neanderthals mate with (Did Neanderthals mate with human? human?

Both archaeologists and Both archaeologists and physical anthros would like to physical anthros would like to know)know)

Comparison of past cultures is Comparison of past cultures is also essential also essential

Explaining CulturesExplaining Cultures

Popular ApproachesPopular Approaches Religious BeliefsReligious Beliefs Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism Culture Bound ApproachesCulture Bound Approaches Scientific ApproachesScientific Approaches Humanistic ApproachesHumanistic Approaches

Field TechniquesField Techniques

ObservationObservation Participant ObservationParticipant Observation Open or Unstructured InterviewsOpen or Unstructured Interviews Closed or Structured InterviewsClosed or Structured Interviews Technological EnhancementsTechnological Enhancements

Audiotape and Videotape RecordingsAudiotape and Videotape Recordings Aerial PhotographsAerial Photographs

Why Cultural Why Cultural Anthropology? Tylor’s Anthropology? Tylor’s

AnswerAnswer E.B. Tylor (1871): E.B. Tylor (1871): ““Knowledge from remote pastKnowledge from remote past Helps us to forecast the future andHelps us to forecast the future and Fulfill our duty to leave the world better than Fulfill our duty to leave the world better than

we found it.”we found it.” Today we know more than Tylor and his Today we know more than Tylor and his

colleagues didcolleagues did We can ask more specific research questions We can ask more specific research questions

than they couldthan they could We can provide some insight about the We can provide some insight about the

trajectory of our own society—where it’s goingtrajectory of our own society—where it’s going

Why Cultural Why Cultural Anthropology? To Beat Anthropology? To Beat

EthnocentrismEthnocentrism To question To question

Western Western assumptions aboutassumptions about

Individual behavior Individual behavior (psychology)(psychology)

Economic behavior Economic behavior (economics)(economics)

Political behavior Political behavior (political science)(political science)

The Supernatural The Supernatural (theology)(theology)

Why Cultural Anthropology? Why Cultural Anthropology? To Apply the Ethnographic To Apply the Ethnographic

RecordRecord To see what has been To see what has been done about problems done about problems besetting all culturebesetting all culture

To see if addressing To see if addressing problems in the past problems in the past can be applied to can be applied to today’s cultures or today’s cultures or culturescultures

To see what will happen To see what will happen if we continue what we if we continue what we are doing now (global are doing now (global warming; extremes in warming; extremes in wealth and poverty wealth and poverty [[diagramdiagram]; wars)]; wars)

To see what could be To see what could be done to improve societydone to improve society

Scope of This CourseScope of This Course

Foundations of CultureFoundations of Culture Elements of CultureElements of Culture Research Techniques and MethodsResearch Techniques and Methods Biological Factors of CultureBiological Factors of Culture Linguistics and CultureLinguistics and Culture

Components of CultureComponents of Culture Marriage, Family, and Marriage, Family, and

KinshipKinship Economic AnthropologyEconomic Anthropology Political and Legal Political and Legal

AnthropologyAnthropology Psychological Psychological

AnthropologyAnthropology Anthropology of the Anthropology of the

SupernaturalSupernatural Globalization and Globalization and

Culture ChangeCulture Change

Conclusion Conclusion

Anthropology is the study of humankindAnthropology is the study of humankind It involves four aspectsIt involves four aspects Study of Humans as Biological CreaturesStudy of Humans as Biological Creatures Study of Humans as Creatures of LanguageStudy of Humans as Creatures of Language Study of Humans as Culture-Bearers in the pastStudy of Humans as Culture-Bearers in the past Study of Humans as Cultures-Bearers of the Study of Humans as Cultures-Bearers of the

PresentPresent These all concern cultural anthropologyThese all concern cultural anthropology But the immediate concern is the present and But the immediate concern is the present and

the futurethe future