Cultural anthropology is the study of human cultures, societies, and behavior. Anthropology is the scientific study of humans in general, including biological evolution, archaeology, linguistics, and cultural diversity. In contrast to social anthropology, which sees cultural variation as a subset of a posited anthropological constant, this view is held by anthropologists.
Cultural anthropology, in particular, is concerned with the study of human cultural variation and the ways in which people live and make meaning in the world. Both cultural and social anthropology traditions are included in the term sociocultural anthropology.
Anthropologists have noted that people can adapt to their environment in non-genetic ways through culture, so people living in different environments will often have different cultures. Much of anthropological theory arose from an appreciation and interest in the tension between the local (specific cultures) and the global (universal human nature, or the web of connections between people in different places/circumstances).
Here are some key aspects of cultural anthropology:
- Participant Observation: Participant observation is a research method used by cultural anthropologists in which they immerse themselves in the community or culture being studied. This allows them to gain a thorough understanding of the people they are studying’s social dynamics, rituals, customs, and daily lives.
- Cultural Relativism: Cultural anthropologists approach their research with cultural relativism, the belief that in order to understand other people’s practices in their own cultural context, one must suspend judgment of them. Rather than imposing one’s own cultural values, this viewpoint emphasizes understanding cultural practices from the perspective of the people within that culture.
- Ethnography: Ethnography is a common method used in cultural anthropology. It involves the detailed and systematic description of a particular culture based on fieldwork. Ethnographers produce written accounts, called ethnographies, that provide insights into the lives of the people they study.
- Cultural Change and Globalization: Cultural anthropologists explore how cultures change over time and in response to various factors such as globalization, technological advances, and interactions with other cultures. They may examine issues like cultural adaptation, resistance, and the impact of external forces on local traditions.
- Language and Communication: Cultural anthropologists often study language as a key aspect of culture. Language is a powerful tool for communication and the transmission of cultural knowledge, values, and beliefs. Linguistic anthropology is a subfield that specifically focuses on the study of language in its social and cultural context.
Participant observation (also known as fieldwork because it requires the anthropologist to spend an extended period of time at the research site), interviews, and surveys are all common methods used in cultural anthropology. It is a dynamic field that is constantly evolving as researchers explore new topics and adapt their methods to address the modern world’s complexities. It is critical in promoting cross-cultural understanding and contributing to debates about diversity, identity, and human behavior.
