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FAQs:

Q1. What are the main differences in the method of data collection used by sociologists and

anthropologists?

Answer: To study large scale complex societies, sociologists use questionnaires and other means

for gathering masses of quantifiable data. Sampling and statistical techniques have been basic to

sociology. Traditional anthropologists studies unfamiliar and small-scale societies without

written records. Participant observation is the key method for the microcosmic study and

knowledge of the language of the community is also indispensable.

Q2. Why do economists try to avoid studying small-scale societies?

Answer: Economists found strange and think about the small-scale societies without formal

economic values. If the people happen to be hunters and gatherers, the notion of hard work is

usually misinterpreted. In western culture, hunting is a sport. Hence, to them, men of small-scale

societies are spending their time in recreational pursuits, while the women are seen working

themselves to bone. So, economists try to avoid studying such societies which have less formal

economic value.

Q3. How do anthropologists differ from economists?

Answer: Economists study the economic value found in western and advanced societies.

Anthropologists study economy of small-scale societies without formal economic value. They

introduce non-economic variable the anthropological variable of culture. From this perspective

economists differ from social anthropologists. The former study economic behavior and

institution in purely economic terms whereas the latter study economy in relation to non-

economic consideration such as social, religion and polity.

Q4. What are the main interests of political anthropology?

Answer: Political anthropology attempts to transcend particular political experiences and

doctrines. It seeks properties common to all political organizations in all historical and

geographical diversity. Not only the modern state political organizations, it confronts the

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problem of states origin and earliest forms of segmentary societies without a centralized

political power.

Q5. What are the main differences between social anthropology and other social sciences in the

study of human societies?Answer: A distinction is that anthropology study small-scale societies and cross cultural societies

whereas the other specialized social sciences study mostly about advanced and complex

societies. The social anthropologists study human societies in a holistic approach whereas the

specialist social sciences study on the concerned special areas and confront the problems of

society differently from these subjects in confronting the same kind of problems in complex

societies.