- Cultural Relativism
- Participant-Observation Fieldwork

Important Research Methods of Cultural Anthropology

- Participant-Observation Reference 
- Anthropology & Education Quarterly

References for Cultural Anthropology 

- Area Studies 
- Design Science
- Cultural Ecology
- Sociology 

Interdisciplinary Fields in Cultural Anthropology 

Focuses on investigating cultural variation, beliefs, and social/cognitive organization among humans. Studies how culture organizes and shapes the world and how humans are shaped by their environment.

Arizona State University

San Jose State University

Culture encompasses the beliefs, customs, art, and traditions of a society. It is passed down to individuals through language and by modeling behaviors that are deemed culturally acceptable, which are often reinforced through social rewards or punishments.

Culture

American anthropology is usually divided into four main subfields:
- Archaeology 
- Biological Anthropology 
- Cultural Anthropology 
- Linguistic Anthropology 

The Four Subfields of Anthropology 

- Social Anthropology 

- Cultural Anthropology

- Linguistic Anthropology

- Biological or Physical Anthropology

- Visual Anthropology

- Psychological Anthropology

- Archaeology 

- Applied Anthropology 

- Nutritional Anthropology 

- Digital Anthropology

Subdisciplines of Anthropology

Wikipedia

Ogbu, J. U., & Simons, H. D. (1998). Voluntary and involuntary minorities: A cultural‐ecological theory of school performance with some implications for education. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 29(2), 155-188.

Voluntary and involuntary minorities: A cultural‐ecological theory of school performance with some implications for education

In an easy culture many goals are attainable and accepted as valuable by society. A tough culture has less less attainable goals and fewer methods of achieving those goals.  

Tough vs. Easy Cultures

Cultures that emphasize achievement tend to promote success at a young age and show high levels of industrialization. For example, in the United States, the common children's, "The Little Engine who Could" promotes achievement. Cultures that promote affiliation place a larger emphasis love and connection throughout the lifespan. 

Achievement vs. Affiliation 

Tight cultures expect small amounts of deviation from typical behaviors/norms. Tight cultures are often seen in areas ethnically homogeneous areas such as Hong Kong. Loose cultures are more accepting of behaviors outside of the norm. Loose cultures are often found in diverse areas such as the US or Australia. 

Tight vs. Loose Cultures

Cultures that place an emphasis on the head promote ideas such as creativity, critical thinking, curiosity, and learning. Examples of a "head" culture include Los Angeles and San Fransisco. "Heart" cultures place a larger emphasis on traits such as gratitude, hope, love, and fairness. An example of a culture with a large emphasis on heart would be Miami. 

Head vs. Heart Cultures

-  Cultures high on dignity tend to emphasize individual values in their own self rather than value from others. Dignity focuses on internal strengths and fits well with market economies. Example: United States


-  Cultures with honor exist in areas with lower government and policing of citizens. Without strong police and laws, citizens must protect themselves and their families. Example: Latin American countries


-  Cultures of face are seen in  areas with hierarchy and cooperation. Citizens protect one another's image and and obey authority figures. Example: Japan or China. 

Honor, Face, and Dignity 

To what extent do people who are less powerful in that society accept the inequality of power?

Power-distance

How strict the gender roles are and what they prescribe.

Gender Roles

The extent to which a culture's attitude towards risky situations is anxious.

Uncertainty avoidance

Awareness and appreciation of the values, norms, and beliefs characteristic of a cultural, ethnic, racial, or another group that is not one’s own, accompanied by a willingness to adapt one’s behavior accordingly. 

Cultural Sensitivity

Cultural Studies analyze the political dynamics of contemporary culture, such as "pop culture" and its historical basis. Cultural studies researchers review how cultural practices connect to wider systems of power associated with or operating through, social phenomena, including ideology, class structures, national formations, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and generation.

Cultural Studies

Cultural Anthropology 

Globalization is a process of economic, political, and cultural integration that is occurring between countries and peoples around the world. It is driven by advancements in technology, communication, transportation, and trade, and is leading to increased interdependence, cross-border transactions, and the spread of ideas and cultures.

Globalization

The cultural perspective considers culture to be one of the most important environmental factors in shaping personality. It explores how both universal and culture-specific elements contribute to personality development and diversity, questioning the universal applicability of theories developed in a single cultural context, such as the West.

Cultural Perspective in Personality

Collectivism and individualism represent two contrasting cultural frameworks that emphasize different core values. Individualist cultures, common in Western nations like the United States, England, and Australia, prioritize independence, competition, and personal achievement. In contrast, collectivist cultures, prevalent in Asia, Africa, and South America, place a higher value on social harmony, respectfulness, and the needs of the group over individual desires.

Collectivism vs. Individualism

Read the following scenario and analyze how cultural norms are being transmitted. In your response, identify the specific norm being taught, the method of transmission, and the form of reinforcement used.

Analyzing Cultural Transmission

A child named Kai is at a community gathering and reaches to take food from a shared platter with their hands. Kai's grandmother gently stops them, explaining, 'In our family, we always use the serving utensils first to show respect for others.' She then hands Kai the serving tongs and smiles when Kai uses them. Later, Kai's parent praises them, saying, 'I was so proud to see you using the tongs today.' Which statement best analyzes how culture is being transmitted in this situation?

Studies human languages in the context of the cultures that developed them. Focuses on the foundation of languages and how language affects socities.

Linguistic Anthropology 

The study of biological and behavioral characteristics of humans, hominin ancestors, and non-human primates.

Biological/Physical Anthropology

Studies the history of humanity through observing, and analyzing material culture (i.e. artifacts)

Archaeology

Focuses on how humans living in societies operate and how they are organized. 

Social Anthropology 

The study of psychological subjects using anthropological practices and methods and understanding how psychological processes shape social processes.

Psychological Anthropology

Studies the production, histories, and representation of cultures in ethnographic photography, film, other newer media, and all other visual representations, including performances.

Visual Anthropology 

Digital anthropology is the study of the relationship between humans and digital technology. The field is new and has a variety of names, including techno-anthropology, digital ethnography, cyber anthropology, and virtual anthropology.

Digital Anthropology 

Applied Anthropology is sometimes referred to as the "fifth sub-discipline." Practical application of anthropology theories, methods, and findings. Anthropologists solve real-world problems using anthropological techniques and usually are employed outside of academic settings.


Applied Anthropology

Nutritional anthropology is the study of food and nutrition from an evolutionary, behavioral, social, and cultural perspective. These anthropologist study how nutrition impacts health at an individual, community, and population level.

Nutritional Anthropology 

The study of fossils and ancient life is defined as before and including the Holocene epoch. 

Paleontology / Palaeontology 

- University of Manchester School of Social Sciences
- Applied Anthropology: University of Memphis

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