Approaches of Anthropology

Lecture two
WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
OF ANTHROPOLOGY?
Biocultural Approach

It studies the biological dimensions and cultural information of human beings whether in
the past or present i.e
• Biological evolution ----inherited biologically(genetically)
• Cultural evolution-----what man has learned (behavior)

• The physical/ Biological differences may be in terms of blood types, skin colors, skull
shape, facial shape, hair texture, erect posture or increased brain size etc.

• Physical variations between people of various nations.

• Biology and behavior of non-human primates (animals that most closely resemble human beings
Biocultural Approach
• Culture helps to shape human bodies
• Biological evolution of our early ancestors occurred because of contacts of different cultures

• Sports, style of walking , sitting

• Successful female swimmers tend to be big, strong, and bulky
• physique: an enlarged upper torso, a massive neck, and powerful shoulders and back
• Pakistani women don’t play games that men play-----???
• Brazilian women don’t play football or swim
• Pakistani team/European teams
2. Comparative Approach
. Observing a society as a whole (single society )
Anthropologists select a society and study all its dimensions eg.
How institution of marriage works
How institution of economy works
How institution of religion works

2. Examining similarities and differences of societies of two or more societies with respect to their geographical
positions.

Example : Emotions expressed at the time of receiving a gift in different cultures. An American girl receives a toy she was
dying to get (she may jump up and down), An Asian girl may just nod and say thank you) Happiness expressed
differently.
Ritual of death ------- is different in Pakistani culture than in South Africa
Life styles of people -------in Naran kaghan of Pakistan, Andes of South America and Nepal -Himalayas
Barter systems ---------differ in various parts of the world
3. The Holistic Approach
• This approach views the whole context of human behavior
• Anthropologists are interested in all human beings, whether living or dead,
''primitive'' or '' civilized'‘.
• Anthropologists are interested in many different aspects of humans, including their
skin color, family lives, marriages, political systems, conflict resolution
methods, personality types, means of livelihood, religious beliefs ,art and
languages.
• Inter connectedness of different part of culture: seeks to demonstrate how
aspects of cultures are linked, how they affect one another; seeks to understand all
aspects of human behavior. It is a multi-faceted approach to the study of human
behavior
4.The Fieldwork Approach

• Its Method of Research: Ethnology and Ethnography

• Ethnographic research
• The hallmarks of anthropology are qualitative research methods such as extended
fieldwork,
• focus- group discussion,
• participant observation,
• in-depth interviews and key informant interviews.
5. Cultural Relativism
• This is the notion that any part of the culture (such as an idea, a thing or a behavior
pattern) must be viewed in native cultural context rather than from the
viewpoint of the observer’s culture.
• This concept helps in understanding why people think and act the way they do.
• Examples:
• In Uganda extract the lower teeth of young girls to make them more attractive.
• Inuit groups practice a custom:
Old parents not able to contribute in workload, they are left out in the cold to die.
• Morocco (healthy women)
6.Emic verses Etic Approaches
• Emic Approach seeks to explain the culture from the point of
view of people of that culture (insider’s view).
• Emphasis on Insiders' View anthropologists focus on how a
particular group of people themselves understand/ explains their
world.

• Etic Approach refers to the outsider’s view, in which

anthropologists study a culture from their own point of view.
ANTHROPOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES.
• Study of humankind, from its beginnings millions of
years ago to the present day.
• Its subject matter is human behavior.
• Its focus is holistic as well as microscopic.
• The common goal links these vastly different projects: to
advance knowledge of who we are, how we came to be
that way—and where we may go in the future.
What makes it different?

1) Holistic Perspective. 2)Participant Observation.

3) Cross Cultural Comparison. 4) Applied Anthropology.
What is sociology?

1. It is a social science that studies the functionality

of human society including origins, development,
and organization.
2. Sociology Studies at Personal Level, Societal Level
and Global Level.
3. Sociology is also a holistic field.
4. Both anthropology and sociology study human
societies.
differences

SOCIOLOGY ANTHROPOLOGY
Driving Question: What is society Driving questions: What is a human
and how does it shape human being? How do humans behave &
nature? why?

Emphasis on society. Emphasis on culture.

Studying Western societies Studying non-western culture

Quantitative methodology Qualitative methodology

Macro Level Focus and oriented Micro Level Focus and oriented
towards solving problems. towards human understanding and
planning social change.
What is political science?
• Deals with systems of government and the analysis
of political activity and political behavior.
• Focus on group power, the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of
collective decision-making.
• Leads us to consider the ethics of power.
• Under the banner of political science we gather the
study of democracy, war, law etc.
• The political behaviour of man is greatly influenced
by his racial origin and the environments in which
he lives.
Differences
Political Science Anthropology

Specialized Social Science focused on a single Human Science that analyze from holistic view.
aspect of human behavior.

Studies specific forms of association. Studies various forms of association.

Political aspect of a social relationship Various aspects of a social relationship.

Deals with formal relations only. Deals with informal as well as formal relations.

Study of only governmental means of control. Studies various means of control.

What is history?

• Learning about the past of human civilizations.

• Everything that has occurred in the past is history and every
event that is bound to happen will eventually become a part of
it.
• In an objective manner, the study of history involves finding out
the cause and effect of certain events.
Similarities:
• Both study ancient civilizations.
• Both describe human actions.
• Both study the past.
differences

Anthropology History
Defining an entity. Cause and effect of events.

Goal is holism. Goal is to know what happened.

Mainly related to human culture. Mainly related to Political events.

Studies physical aspect of man No interest in physical aspect of

along with social. man.
What is Economics
• Economics is the study of how people choose to use
resources ( time, money etc.). Study of demand and
supply
• Study of how individuals balance the relationship
between unlimited wants and limited resources.
• "Economics is the science which studies human
behavior as a relationship between given ends and
scarce means which have alternative uses."
• Similarity:
• Both sciences study human behavior.
Differences
Anthropology Economics
Basic focus is studying humans. Basic focus is the study of ;
demand, supply, society,
resources.
It can be proved by solid and Economists usually make
physical facts. assumptions and attempt to
apply theory.

Tend to investigate human Tend to investigate human

behavior in accordance with behavior on the basis of
history and relevant proof. presumptions and generally
assumed behavior.

Tend to study humans on a larger Tend to study humans on a

scale (since the first humans) smaller scale (countries)
What is development studies
• Development Studies focuses on social transformation or change.
• DS examines the problems, processes, and prospects for the development of
human and material resources
• Emphasis is on what is distinctive - both historically and culturally - about
particular regions
• How regions and their societies/communities are progressing with time
Differences
Anthropology Development Studies
Historical study about humans in Study of societies presently and
perspectives of cultural evolution how they are developing.

No specific societies or cultures are Mostly 3rd world countries or

focused on. developing countries/societies are
researched and studied on.
What is PHYSCOLOGY

• The scientific study of the human mind and its

functions, especially those affecting behavior.
• The mental characteristics or attitude of an individual.
• Psychology is the scientific study of how we think, feel
and behave
Similarities:
• Both disciplines conduct research and study humans.
• Mutual focus is on understanding man in the context
of social behavior.
Differences

Anthropology Psychology
Focus is on studying various Focus is on the study of an
cultures and societies. individual

Study through field research It is an academic and applied

science

Anthropology concerns the study Psychology addresses issues from

of various disciplines as they a perspective focusing on
relate to the study of humans cognitive function and behavior
within a society