ANTHROP 1AB3 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Applied Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, Biological Anthropology

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: ANTHROP 1AB3
• Professor: Karen Mc Garry

Document Summary

Anthropology: the study of humankind in all times and places. Focuses on the interconnections and interdependence of all aspects of the human experience. This holistic perspective equips anthropologists to address the topic of human nature. Keeping a holistic perspective allows anthropologists to prevent their own cultural paradigm of ideals and beliefs from hindering the framework of their research. Holistic perspective: a fundamental principle of anthropology: the various parts of human culture and biology must be viewed in the broadest context possible in order to understand their interconnections and interdependence. Anthropologists often aim to avoid the dangers of ethnocentrism, the belief that the ways of one"s own culture are the only proper ones. Anthropologists apply rigorous methodology to their own practices that requires them to check for influences of their own biases. Anthropology can be considered as a discipline concerned with unbiased evaluation of diverse human systems, along with one"s own.