Breaking Down the Differences Between Marriage and Concubinage
The term ‘concubine’ originally referred to women who were taken as slaves and then used for sexual purposes by their masters.
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
- 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
Glossary Terms starting with F
Anthropology Glossary Terms starting with G
Anthropology Glossary of Terms – Posts
Animism – The Belief that all Things have a Spirit
Animism is a belief system that dates back to ancient times and is still practiced in various forms around the world today.
Big Man – A Person with Prestige and Influence in Melanesian Society
The term Big Man is used in ethnographies of Melanesian societies & describes the way in which Melanesian men gain social status & influence.
Amoral Familism – Prioritising the Family over Moral Principles
Amoral familism is a social anthropological concept that is based on the idea that family ties are more important than anything else, including the law.
The Basics of Behaviourism – Understanding the Key Principles
Behaviourism is a psychological perspective which posits that all behaviour can be explained by environmental factors & learning experiences
Alliance Theory – Understanding the Formation and Maintenance of Social Ties between Groups
Alliance theory is a social anthropological model that proposes that alliances between groups are formed and maintained based on the benefits that can be gained from them.
