Anthropology, culture, & gender

An introduction

Objectives
n Define anthropology & outline the four field approach

n Outline the three main features of the anthropological

perspective & explore the concept of holism using
marriage as an example.

n Compare and contrast sex and gender & discuss the idea
of sex differences within the “nature-nurture” model

Anthropology
n Anthropology: the study of human nature, human society &
the human past
n Key focus: human diversity
n Biological, cultural & historical

n Culture: Sets of learned behavior and ideas that human

beings acquire as members of society.
n Learned
n Shared

n Symbolic
n Adaptive (& dynamic)
n Integrated

n Human beings as biocultural organisms

1
 Four field approach
• Investigate • Explore past
human origins societies
& human through the
variation analysis of
material
remains
Biological Archaeology

Linguistic Cultural
• Explore the • Investigate
emergence & similarities &
divergence of differences
languages among cultures
& cultural
practices

Central features of the

anthropological perspective

1. Holism (holistic approach)

2. Comparison (comparative approach)

3. Evolution (evolutionary perspective)

1. Holism
n Holistic approach: integrate all that is known about
human beings & their activities at the highest & most
inclusive level

n Multifaceted approach

n History, physical environment, language, social

organization, kinship, political & economic systems,
religion, etc.

2
 Holism: is marriage universal?

What does
it mean to
marry?

Who do you When do

marry? you
marry?

Marriage

Why do
you marry?
How do
you
marry?

2. Comparison

n Comparative approach: consider similarities &

differences in as wide a range of human societies as
possible before generalizing about human nature, human
society, or the human past.

n Cross-cultural studies

n Cultural relativism

3. Evolution

n Evolutionary: place observations about human nature,

human society or the human past in a temporal framework
that takes into consideration change over time.

n Biological evolution – human biological adaptation &

diversity
n Natural selection & fitness

n Cultural evolution – dynamic & adaptive through

innovation or the adoption of new ideas

3
 Broad course questions…

What is sex?

What is gender?

How does gender differ

cross-culturally and/or over
time?

Are there universals

concerning sex and
gender?

Sex or gender?
Sex Gender

n Biological sex of an n The social role of being a

individual man or a woman
n Born physically male or n Male or female
female
n Determined by genes n Being feminine or
masculine
n Appropriate features

n Biologically determined
n Culturally constructed

Sex & gender differences

“Nature” “Nurture”

n Biologically determined n Culturally determined

n Genetic n Socialization
n Inborn, innate, “natural” n Experience
n Environment
n Learned

n What differences are n What differences are

biologically influenced? culturally influenced?