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Anthropology Glossary of Terms

Anthropology is the study of humans. It is a broad and complex field that covers everything from the physical characteristics of humans to their cultural, social, and linguistic practices.

Anthropology has many subfields, including archaeology, biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistic anthropology. Each of these subfields has its own specialized vocabulary.

This anthropology glossary of terms provides definitions for some of the most commonly used terms in anthropological research.

Glossary Terms starting with A

  • Acculturation
  • Action Theory
  • Adaptive Strategy
  • Alliance Theory 
  • Amoral Familism
  • Animism
  • Anomie
  • Anthropology of the Body
  • Anthropology of the City
  • Apartheid
  • Asiatic Mode of Production
  • Assimilation
  • Asymmetric / Symmetric Alliance
  • Auto-Ethnography
  • Avunculate
  • Avunculocal

Glossary Terms starting with B

  • Behaviourism
  • Benedict, Ruth
  • Big Man / Big Woman
  • Bilateral Kinship
  • Biological Anthropology
  • Black Economy
  • Black Power
  • Blood Feud
  • Boas, Franz
  • Bourgeoisie
  • Bride Capture
  • Brideprice, Bridewealth and Brideservice

Glossary Terms starting with C

  • Capital
  • Capitalism
  • Cargo Cult 
  • Cash Crops
  • Caste
  • Caudillismo
  • Class Consciousness
  • Cline
  • Cognatic Kinship
  • Cognitive Anthropology
  • Colonialism
  • Commensality
  • Commodity or Commodification
  • Concubinage
  • Consanguinity
  • Conscience Collective
  • Conspicuous Consumption
  • Contagious Magic
  • Creole Language
  • Cultural Baseline

Glossary Terms starting with D

  • Debt Slavery
  • Democracy
  • Demography
  • Despotism
  • Development
  • Developmental Cycle of the Domestic Group
  • Dialect
  • Discrimination
  • Divination
  • Division of Labour
  • Domestic Mode of Production
  • Duolocal Residence 
  • Durkheim, Émile
  • Dowry
  • Dynasty

Glossary Terms starting with E

  • Endogamy
  • Ethnogenesis
  • Ethnography 
  • Exogamy
  • Evans-Pritchard, Edward
  • Evil Eye 

Glossary Terms starting with F

  • Fascism
  • Feminist Anthropology
  • Functionalist Theory

 

Glossary Terms starting with G

  • Game Theory
  • Geertz, Clifford
  • Gift
  • Goodall, Jane

 

Glossary Terms starting with N

  • Neocolonialism
  • Neoliberalism
  • Non-Binary Gender Identities

 

Glossary Terms starting with S

  • Social Contract Theory
  • Sociological Perspective

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Anthropology Glossary of Terms – Posts

Ancient Divination Techniques from Around the World

February 27, 2023January 29, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Divination - Gaining Information through Supernatural Means

Divination is believed to be a way to contact the spiritual world or to receive guidance from god(s) or ancestors, which are known as oracles.

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The Art of Dialectic Reasoning – The Process of Logical Debate and its Benefits

February 27, 2023January 24, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
The Art of Dialectical Reasoning - Understanding the Process of Logical Debate and its Benefits

Dialectic reasoning is a powerful tool for promoting critical thinking and analysis by engaging with opposing viewpoints.

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The Domestic Mode of Production – Understanding the Pre-Industrial Way of Life

February 26, 2023January 22, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Domestic Mode of Production - Producing Goods for the Family

The domestic form of production is a mode of economic organization in which households are the primary unit of production and consumption.

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Exploring the Complexities of Development – The Many Facets of Progress

February 27, 2023January 19, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Development - The process of Economic, Social and Cultural Change

Development is a complex and multifaceted concept that refers to the progress and improvement of societies, economies, and individuals.

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Duolocal Residence – When Husband and Wife Live Separately

February 28, 2023January 17, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Duolocal Residence - When Husband and Wife Live Separately

Duolocal residence refers to societies where husbands and wives live separately, each residing with their consanguine kinship groups.

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The Developmental Cycle of Domestic Groups – Highlighting The Evolution of Family Structures

May 4, 2023January 15, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Understanding the Developmental Cycle of Domestic Groups - Exploring the Evolution of Family Structures

Anthropologist Meyer Fortes introduced the concept of the developmental cycle of the domestic group in 1958 as a replacement for static notions of households

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Why Dialects Matter- Recognizing the Importance of Linguistic Diversity

March 1, 2023January 12, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Dialect - A Variety of a Language that has its Own Unique Features

Dialects are fascinating for anthropologists because they provide insight into how language and culture interact. Each dialect is a repository of the history, culture, and values of the people who speak it.

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Understanding Discrimination: What It Is and Why It Matters

February 26, 2023January 8, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Discrimination - Treating People Differently based on their Race, Gender or Other Characteristics

While discrimination is not always bad, in many cases it is unfortunately rooted in prejudice. In such situations, it is toxic and corrodes the fabric of society.

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The Power of Demography – Projecting the Impact of Population Dynamics

February 27, 2023January 5, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Demography - A Branch of Sociology that studies Human Populations

Demography is the study of human populations, looking at a variety of factors, including age, gender, race, and geographical distribution.

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Division of Labour: Recognizing its Impact on Society and Industries

February 27, 2023January 3, 2023 by Claudine Cassar
Division of Labour - Assigning Tasks in such a way as to Enable Specialisation

The division of labour refers to the separation of tasks and responsibilities within a production process. It involves breaking down complex tasks into simpler, specialized tasks that can be performed by different workers.

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