Exam 1: Introduction to Anthropology

The deductive method of scientific research begins with a general theory from which scientists then develop hypotheses to be tested.

The material products of former societies are known as:

A study of the garbage people throw away may reveal more about their lifestyles than surveys and interviews because:

__________ linguistics, which focuses on the comparison and classification of different languages to reveal historical links, can often be used to confirm inferences derived from archaeological or paleoanthropological research on ancient population movements.

When a scientist begins with a general theory from which testable hypotheses are developed, he or she is said to be using the __________ method.

Even in the 19th century, anthropologists were aware of the dangers of ethnocentric beliefs and carefully promoted objective interpretations of other societies.

Anthropologists have found that culturally constituted knowledge is general, universal, and genetic.

Although anthropologists study the unique features of diverse cultures, they also recognize the fundamental similarities among all peoples in the world.

An example of "applied anthropology" might be:

Most of the research of anthropologist Bambi Schieffelin falls under the category of:

From reading the short biographies about C. Loring Brace, Patti Jo Watson, Bambi Schieffelen, and Bruce Krnauft, what have you learned about how anthro?pologists become specialists in certain topics?

A unique research strategy of anthropologists which involves learning the language and culture of a group by participating in the group's daily activities is called:

According to the author of your textbook, the major goal(s) of anthropology is/are:

Most academic anthropologists work in departments of anthropology. What are the other university departments that might have anthropologists on their faculties, and why?

The four subdisciplines of anthropology are:

Ethnology, or cultural anthropology, is the branch of anthropology that studies contemporary societies throughout the world in an attempt to understand human diversity and discover similarities.

What are the four fields of anthropology, and how are they related?

Linguistic anthropologists are concerned with discovering how sites and middens are formed and what can be learned from studying these ancient structures.

All human cultures have a form of "baby talk" that adults use when they are speaking with small children.

As the anthropologist on a starship in the 21st century, you are a specialist in "first contact" situations. Briefly describe your goals and methods.