Key Concepts in Anthropology and Society
Race and Social Construction
Originally, when a group is assumed to have a biological basis, they are called a race. But in reality, the idea of race is socially constructed, meaning that it is defined by a society. We are taught to differentiate between different people on the basis of the color of their skin and phenotype (biological characteristics of an organism). We are taught that white people behave in a certain way, and other races which include Black, Arab, Asian, and Jewish people. This way of thinking is unfortunately very racist. The idea behind the whole race ideology is backed by political reasons, including slavery, which is very unfair because skin color is used as a status given to you since birth, which you can do nothing about.
Understanding Ethnography
Ethnography is a descriptive study of a particular society and is a method of collecting information about a society or culture. This study includes fieldwork, interviews, interactions, conversations, etc. In fieldwork, the ethnographer gathers data and organizes, describes, and analyzes it to build and present that account (in a book, article, or film). Thanks to ethnography, an opportunity to fully immerse oneself in a society is possible.
Humans and Primates Compared
Humans, along with monkeys, chimpanzees, etc., are primates, which are mammals defined by their cognitive abilities, grasping hands and feet, along with many characteristics such as physical appearance, emotions, and intelligence.
Firstly, humans and primates have opposable thumbs, which makes us handy and capable of crafting, and gives us grasping abilities. Also, we both have emotional attachment or care for offspring. 2001: A Space Odyssey has a cool scene where, although I don’t believe in Darwinism, chimpanzees were shown using tools which eventually led to humans in space. This shows how we both can use hands.
In contrast, we differ in the fact that humans have a higher level of intelligence and all-year-round sexuality, as well as stronger kinships.
When it comes to language, both of us have call signs and body language. That being said, the other primates are much more limited than us. They can’t have displacement, which means that they cannot communicate about the past or future. Also, they can’t physically speak since we have a genetic mutation (FOXP2).
That being said, we have seen the case of Koko, who was a chimpanzee and had the ability to learn ASL and communicate with her trainers.
Defining and Understanding Culture
Firstly, culture is the traditions and customs that form and guide how the people involved in it should communicate and behave. Culture is defined by values, beliefs, and norms. We can observe one’s culture since it defines how a person acts or behaves (eating, way of interacting, etc.). Culture is passed down and transmitted through enculturation (learning).
Secondly, culture plays a massive role in what it does for us. As stated in the book, culture is all-encompassing, affecting and guiding almost everything we humans do. It can affect our behavior, socializing ways, and even decision-making processes.
Finally, culture might work against us when it is maladaptive, which means not adjusting appropriately to an environment, where culture might encourage us to make wrong choices including pollution, overconsumption (food and material), and extremism.
The ideal culture refers to norms and traditions that people are supposed to follow, in contrast with real culture, which consists of the norms and traditions that people actually follow.