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.
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.
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.
Demography is the study of human populations, looking at a variety of factors, including age, gender, race, and geographical distribution.
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.
Despotism is a form of government in which a single ruler has absolute power over the political and social life of a country. The ruler may be a monarch or an autocrat.
Cognatic kinship is also referred to as bilateral kinship, because it recognises both the mother and father’s side of the family.
Cline refers to the study by anthropologists of how certain physical or cultural traits can change gradually for a population.
In anthropology, cultural baseline refers to the state of a culture before it comes into contact with another culture.
Cognitive anthropology is the study of how people think, learn & remember. It examines the way that culture shapes these cognitive processes
Once they have achieved class consciousness, the proletariat can organize themselves and begin to fight for their rights.