Understanding Consanguinity – What It Is and Why It Matters
Consanguinity is the state of being related to someone by descent from a common ancestor. It is often used to refer to the genetic or biological relationship between kin.
anthropology dictionary
This anthropology dictionary provides definitions for some of the most commonly used terms in anthropological research.
Biological Anthropology – The Relationship between Biology and Sociocultural Systems
Biological anthropology is the study of how different cultures interact with the environment and how that affects their biology.
Anomie – A Condition of Normlessness or Social Disintegration
Anomie, a term coined by French sociologist Émile Durkheim, is a condition of normlessness or social disintegration.
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.
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.
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.