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Anth 101 Final Exam
Anthropology Key terms for West's Anth class at UNC Chapel Hill
161
Anthropology
Undergraduate 1
12/04/2015

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Term
Archaeology
Definition
a cultural anthropology of the human past involving the analysis of material remains left behind by earlier societies
Term
Prehistoric Archaeology
Definition
seeks to understand human biological evolution through the fossil record
Term
Historical Archaeology
Definition
seeks to understand human variation through the written record and material record
Term
Biological Anthropology
Definition
looks at human beings as biological organisms and trues to discover what characteristics make them different from other organisms and what characteristics they share
Term
Paleoanthropology
Definition
seeks to understand our biological evolution through the fossil record
Term
Human Biology
Definition
seeks to understand contemporary variability by looking at nutrition, disease, etc.
Term
Primatology
Definition
seeks to understand human biological eand social evolution by looking at primates
Term
Cultural Anthropology
Definition
shows how variation the beliefs and behaviors of members of different human groups is shaped by sets of learned behaviors and ideas that human beings acquire as members of society-that is, by culture
Term
Linguistic Anthropology
Definition
concerned with the study of human languages
Term
Applied Anthropology
Definition
specialists who use information gathered from the other anthropological specialties to solve practical cross-cultural problems
Term
Medical Anthropology
Definition
the specialty of anthropology that concerns itself with human health the factors that contribute to disease or illness and the ways that human population deal with disease or illness
Term
Human Variability
Definition
the sub-discipline if anthropology concerned with mapping and explaining physical differences among modern human groups
Term
Holism
Definition
a characteristic of the anthropological perspective that describes at the highest and most inclusive level, how anthropology tries to integrate all that is known beings and their activities
Term
Culture
Definition
sets of learned behavior and ideas that human beings acquire as members of society. Human beings use culture to adapt to and to transform the world in which they live
Term
Bio-cultural Organisms
Definition
organisms whose defining features are co-determined by biological and cultural factors
Term
Race
Definition
social groupings that allegedly reflect biological differences
Term
Language
Definition
the system of arbitrary vocal symbols used to encode one's experience of the world and of others
Term
Cultural Relativism
Definition
the understanding of distinct cultures lifestyles within the context of each culture; the behavior of a cultural group are evaluated in the context of that specific culture, from an impartial perspective, rather then according to the standards of some other culture
Term
Essentialism
Definition
the belief, derived from Plato, in fixed ideas or "forms", that exist perfect and unchanging in eternity. Actual objects in the temporal world, such as cows or horses, are seen as imperfect material realizations of the ideal form that defines their kind
Term
The Great Chain of Being
Definition
a comprehensive framework for interpreting the world based on Aristotle on principles and elaborated during the Middle Ages, in which every kind of living organism was linked to every different from the kinds immediately above it and below it on the chain by the least possible degree
Term
Catastrophism
Definition
a theory by George Cuvier; the notion that natural disasters, such as floods, are responsible for the extinction of species, which are then replaced by new species
Term
Uniformitarinism
Definition
a theory by Charles Lyell; the notion that an understanding of current processes can be used to reconstruct the past history of the earth, based on the assumption that the same gradual processes of erosion and uplift that change the earth's surface today had also been at work in the past
Term
Transformational Evolution
Definition
a theory by Lamarck; it assumes essentialist species and a uniform environment. Each individual memeber of a species transforms itself to meet the challenges of a changed environment through the laws of use and disuse and the inheritance of acquired characteristics
Term
Natural Selection
Definition
A theory by Charles Darwin; a two step mechanistic explanation of how descent with modification takes place: 1) every generation variant individuals are generated within a species due to genetic mutation, and 2) those variant individuals but suited to the current environment survive and produce more offspring than other variants
Term
Variational Evolution
Definition
a theory by Charles Darwin; assumes that variant members of a species respond differently to environmental challenges. Those variants that are more successful survive and reproduce more offspring who inherit the traits that made their parents fit
Term
Phenotype
Definition
the observable hereditary characteristics
Term
Genotype
Definition
the hereditary unit that codes for a particular trait, underlying gene responsible (genotype + phenotype = phenotype)
Term
Principle of Segregation
Definition
an individual gets one particle of inheritance for each trait from each parent
Term
Allele
Definition
the particle inherited from each parent, an individual inherits two alleles for each gene
Term
Population
Definition
a local group o f interbreeding individuals in which any two individuals potentially mate
Term
Dominant Trait
Definition
the trait expressed in the phenotype even when the organism is carrying only one copy of the underlying gene responsible (XX, Xx)
Term
Recessive Trait
Definition
the trait expressed only when the organism carries two copies of the underlying gene responsible (xx)
Term
Homozygous
Definition
the same allele is received from each parent (XX, xx)
Term
Heterozygous
Definition
different alleles are received from each parent (Xx)
Term
Modern Evolutionary Synthesis Theory
Definition
random mutations produce genes that may be adaptive, as these genes increase the fitness of a population, they become more prevalent and lead to a population evolving
1. as a result of mutation creating new alleles and segregation and independent assortment shuffling alleles into new combinations, individuals within a population are variable for nearly all traits
2 individuals pass their genes on to their offspring intact and independently of other genes
3 in most generations more offspring are produced than can survive
4. the individuals that survive and go on to reproduce or who reproduce the most, are those with the alleles and allelic combinations that best adapt them to their environment
Term
Aptation
Definition
the shaping of any useful feature of an organism, regardless of its origin
Term
Adaptation
Definition
the shaping of useful features of an organism bu natural selection
Term
Exaptation
Definition
the shaping of useful feature by natural selection for one purpose and later reshaping by different selection pressures for a new purpose
Term
Natural Selection
Definition
responsible for evolutionary changes in organisms
Term
Mutation
Definition
ultimate and constant source of new variation
Term
Gene Flow (Merge Populations)
Definition
altering the given population experiences through a sudden expansion due to the in-migration of outsiders from another population of the species
Term
Genetic Drift
Definition
population that is unaffected by mutation or gene flow; random changes in gene frequencies from one generation to the next; has a big impact on populations that are suddenly reduced by disease or disaster. Ex: Founder Effect
Term
Microevolution
Definition
evolution that occurs over short timescales for a given species within a few generations
Term
Macroevolution
Definition
evolution that occurs over long time periods and results in new species
Term
Plasticity
Definition
the ability if an organism to react to an environmental input with a change in form, state, movement, or rate of activity
Term
Phenotypic Plasticity
Definition
phenotypic flexibility that permits traits to change with environmental conditions
Term
Cline
Definition
the gradual intergradation of genetic variation from population to population
"there are no races, there are only clines"
Term
Phyletic Gradualism
Definition
theory arguing the one species gradually transforms itself into a new species over time, yet the actual boundary between species can never be detected and can only be drawn arbitrarily
Term
Cladogenesis
Definition
birth of a variety of descendent species from a single ancestral species
Term
Anagenesis
Definition
the slow, gradual process of transformation of a single species over time
Term
Punctuated Equilibrium
Definition
theory claiming that most of evolutionary history has been characterized by relatively stable species coexisting in an equilibrium that's occasionally punctuated by sudden bursts of speciation, when extinctions are widespread and many new species appear
Term
Relative Dating
Definition
Tells us which fossils or objects are older or younger than each other
Term
Absolute
Definition
tells us the actual age of sediments or age of an object
Term
Isotopic Methods
Definition
radioactive decay measure half life with error
Term
Potassium and Argon
Definition
origin of earth to 100,000 years ago, volcanic activity in Africa, 10% margin of error K40 decays into Ar40 with a half life of 1.3 billion years
Term
Radiocarbon
Definition
carbon14 remains constant in organic material and decays at known rate we can measure ration of carbon 12 to 14 establish date of death, North and South America, margin of error 1-10%, dates back to 50,000 years ago
Term
Dendrochronology
Definition
tree rings 6,000 or 11,000 year ago, cross linking into master sequence
Term
Law of Cross-Cutting Relationships
Definition
intruding features must be younger than the strata they cross/disrupt
Term
Law of Superposition
Definition
objects found in lower layers should be older than those found in higher ones
Term
Principle of Association
Definition
fossils or objects found in the same strata must be contemporaneous
Term
Unconformities
Definition
intrusions by faults, lava, or volcanoes that disturb the strata
Term
Contextual Seriation
Definition
objects that look alike are from the same period; objects can be arranged in chronological order as styles evolved
Term
Frequency Seriation
Definition
measures frequency of different styles as the elements become more or less common
Term
Primates
Definition
monkeys, apes, prosimians, and humans
Term
Anthropoids
Definition
New World monkeys, Old World monkeys, apes and humans
Term
Lesser Apes
Definition
Gibbons and siamangs
Term
Hominidae
Definition
great apes
Term
Old World Monkeys
Definition
Hamadryas baboons and gelada baboons
Term
Homo Sapiens
Definition
humans
Term
Hominoids
Definition
Apes
Term
Panidae Gorilla
Definition
Gorilla
Term
Pongidae pongo
Definition
Orangutans
Term
Pan troglodytes
Definition
Chimpanzees
Term
Pan paniscus
Definition
Bonobo
Term
Australopithecus Afarensis
Definition
last common ancestor of subsequent hominins; foramen magnum, bipedal locomotion, small cranial capacity (375-550 cm), Laetoli footprints in tanzania show direct evidence of bipedalism, no sign of culture. 3.9 to 3.0 Mya
Term
Australopithecus Afarensis
Definition
Geographic Range: Africa
Distinctive Features: last common ancestor of subsequent hominins; foramen magnum, bipedal locomotion, small cranial capacity (375-550 cm), Laetoli footprints in tanzania show direct evidence of bipedalism, no sign of culture.
Time Span: 3.9 to 3.0 Mya
Term
Robust Australopithecines
Definition
Geographic Range: South Africa
Distinctive Features: Sagittal crest, powerful jaws, flat faces, big molars
Time Span: 2.5 to 0.7 Mya
Term
A. Africanus (Gracile)
Definition
Geographic Range: Africa
Distinctive Feature: small and lightly built face
Time Range: 3 to 2 mya
Term
Homo Habilis
Definition
Geographic Range: Africa
Distinctive Features: reduced jaws, less prgnathic faces, begins to use culture, probably evolved from gracile austr, first to use tools (Oldowan), "handy man", cranial capacity 550 to 800 cm
Time Range: 2.4 to 1.5 mya contemporaneous with robust australopethecines
Term
Homo Erectus
Definition
Geographic Range: Africa, Asia, Europe
Distinctive Features: controlled fire, could cook meat, used Acheulian tools, first to migrate out of Africa, prominent brow ridge, nuchal crest, large brain (750-1250 cm)
Time Range: 1.8 mya to 300,000 ya
Term
H. Neanderthalensis
Definition
Geographic Range: Europe and SW Asia
Distinctive Features: shorter and more robust than homo sapiens but otherwise similar morphologically; massive skulls, chinless faces, continuous brow ridges, retromolar space, occipital bun, elongated skulls, low sloping forehead, mousterian tools, group care for elderly
Time Range: 130,000 to 35,000 ya contemporaneous with Homo Sapiens
Term
Homo Sapiens
Definition
Geographic Range: everywhere
Distinctive Features: rounded and dome skulls, flat face, separate brow ridges large brains
Time Span: 195,000 ya to present
Term
Oldowan
Definition
used by H. Habilis, crude cobbles with a few flakes chipped off
Term
Acheulean
Definition
used by Homo Erectus, hand axes, shaped on both sides
Term
Mousterian
Definition
used by Neanderthals; primarily flakes produced by Levallois technique of core preparation, chipped off slices to produce sharp edges, the tool is the slice (flint) cut off and you cut it from the core (original rock)
Term
Clovis
Definition
used by homo sapiens; created by pressure flaking attached to shafts and used as spear points
Term
Johanson
Definition
Discovered Lucy
Term
Richard Leaky
Definition
found H. erectus skeleton in 1984 in kenya the Turkana boy it is the most complete hominin skeleton
Term
Mary and Louis Leaky
Definition
discovered Homo habilis in Oduvai Gorge, found stone tools with the species
Term
Klein
Definition
human evolution = cultural process
Term
Artifacts
Definition
things you can take out of the site, objects that have been deliberately and intelligently created by human activity ex. bones, sherds
Term
Features
Definition
things you cannot take out of a site ex. burial sites and pits
Term
Provenience
Definition
3D context of find within matrix
Term
Sites
Definition
precise geographical location of the material remains of past human activity
Term
Stratum
Definition
layer
Term
Assemblage
Definition
the artifacts and structures from a particular site from the same time and place
Term
Flake
Definition
portion of rock removed from an objective piece by percussion of pressure, may be used for weapons. Flakes have sharp edges and were sometimes used as cutting implements. Flakes also were further shaped into tools or were left as waste by-products of flintknapping
Term
Survey
Definition
physical examination of a geographical region in which promising sites are likely to be found, tons of analysis and recording
Term
Grid
Definition
an intersecting network of squares, originating at the site datum, that controls the excavation process
Term
Deposit
Definition
any of the various processes by which artifacts move from active use to an archaeological context, such as loss, disposal, abandonment, burial, etc. It is the laying, placing, or throwing down of any material
Term
Excavation
Definition
systematic uncovering of remains through removal of the deposits of soil and other material covering them, recording and analysis
Term
Sampling
Definition
a strategy of statistically selecting portions of a site for excavation (easier to sample because survey and excavation take lots of time and money)
Term
Historical Archaeology
Definition
study of sites associated with written records, usually post European contact
Term
Feminist Anthropology
Definition
addresses the exclusion of women's role in archaeological finds. They seek to include gender in archaeological analysis
Term
Cultural Resource Management
Definition
conducts environmental impact assessment of state funded projects-most jobs for archaeologists
Term
Heritage Archaeology
Definition
reconnecting indigenous or Native American groups to their past
Term
Traditional Approach
Definition
reconstruct the material remains of the past by reassembling pots statues or building. Did NOT include reconstructing past liefeways or cultures of people who left those objects
Term
Processual Archaeology
Definition
explain the cultureal processes behind these cultures such as the development of social complexity-bands, tribes, chiefdoms, states
Term
Post-Processual Archaeology
Definition
stresses the symbolic and cognitive aspects of social structures and social relations. People are central part again, less scientific, stresses individual and group agency in the face of environmental changes
Term
Datum
Definition
nail in the ground, everything found in the site is measure relative to the datum
Term
Band
Definition
a small, predominantly foraging society of 50 or fewer members that divides labor by age and sex only and provides relatively equal access for all adults to wealth, power, and prestige
Term
Tribe
Definition
a farming or herding society, usually larger than a band, that relies on kinship as the framework for social and political life: provides relatively egalitarian social relations but may have a chief who has more prestige than others. Sometimes called a Rank Society
Term
Chiefdom
Definition
a socially stratified society, generally larger than a tribe in which a chief and close relatives enjoy privileged access to wealth, power, and prestige and which has greater craft production but few full time specialists
Term
State
Definition
an economic, political, and ideological entity invented by stratified societies: possesses specialized government institutions to administer services and collect taxes and tributes: monopolizes use of force with armies and police; possesses high level and quality of craft production. Often developed wtitting
Term
Empire
Definition
forms when one state conquers another
Term
Sedentism
Definition
increasingly permanent habitation in one place, larger populations and greater demand for food
Term
Broad-Spectrum Foraging
Definition
megafauna died out, a subsistence strategy based on a wide range of plants and animals using hunting, fishing, and gathering-led to sedentism because of more stable resource base: ASSOCIATED WITH BAND-LEVEL SOCIAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS SEMI-NOMADIC
Term
Social Stratification
Definition
a form of social organization in which people have unequal access to wealth, power, and prestige
Term
Neolithic
Definition
marked by the beginning of domestication
Term
Monumental Architecture
Definition
machu pichu, greather-than-human scale such as pyramids, temples, and tombs
Term
Geoglyph
Definition
large cave carvings, designs and drawings
Term
Symbol
Definition
something that stands for something else
Term
Human Agency
Definition
the exercise of at least some control over their lives by human beings
Term
Coevolution
Definition
the dialectical relationship between biological processes and symbolic cultural processes, in which each makes up an important part of the environment to which the other must adapt
Term
Ethocentrism
Definition
the opinion that one's way of life is natural or correct and, indeed, the only true way of being fully human
Term
Cultural Relativism
Definition
understanding another culture in its own terms sympathetically enough so that the culture appears to be a coherent and meaningful design for living
Term
Language
Definition
system of arbitrary vocal symbols that encodes a person's experience of the world and social interactions
Term
Sociolinguists
Definition
combines cultural anthropology, emphasizes pragmatics
Combines linguistics with ethnography to understand how language is used in social situations
Term
Ethnopragmatics
Definition
studies the ethnographic context in which speech is constituted by social interaction and also constitutes social interaction
Term
Linguistic Relativity
Definition
language has the pwer to shape the way people see the world
Term
A Linguistic Isolate
Definition
a language that has no known linguistic affiliation with any other language such as Basque or Tarascan
Term
Language Family
Definition
a group of languages related through descent from a common ancestor
Term
Speech Communities
Definition
the specific groups of people associated with a given language
Term
Grammar
Definition
set of rules for language use in a given speech community
Term
Heteroglossia
Definition
people know many different ways of speaking dependent on context has two levels; sound and meaning
Term
Morphemes
Definition
composed of phonemes based on systematic patterns to form meaning bearing units
Term
Phonemes
Definition
small restricted set of sounds that characterize a language
Term
Syntax
Definition
rules associated with sentence structure
Term
Creole
Definition
is not a defective form of English. it is a language with its own grammar, syntax, etc.
Term
Pragmatics
Definition
study of language and the context in which it is used
Term
Non-linguistic Context
Definition
refers to the objects or activities surrounding the expression
Term
Linguistic Context
Definition
refers to the other words, expressions, and sentence surrounding an expression
Term
Discourse
Definition
Stretch of speech longer than a sentence and united by a common theme
Term
Prosody
Definition
musical characteristics of speech
Term
Lexical Item
Definition
a word
Term
Sapir and Whorf
Definition
Linguistic Relativity Principle says that language has the power to shape the way people see the world
Term
Hymes
Definition
Came up with speaking model, communicative competence
Term
Bakhtin
Definition
heteroglossia
Term
Chomsky
Definition
defined linguistic competence as the mastery of adult grammar, languages cna have universal rules or underlying universal structures
Term
Duranti
Definition
language is a patterned system; linguistic anthropology is the study of language as a cultural resource; speaking is a cultural practice; created term ethnopragmatics
Term
Hockett
Definition
specified 16 design features of languages that set the apart from animal communication
1.Openness-language is creative
2.Displacement-ability to talk about absent and nonexistent objects
3.Arbitrariness-no concrete link between sounds and meaning
4.Grammar-set of rules of language
5.Semanticity-the association of linguistic signals with aspects of the social, cultural, and physical world of a speech community
6.Prevarication-make linguistic messages that are false
Term
Pidgin
Definition
language developed with no native speakers, single generation, distinct native language exists
Term
Kinship
Definition
system by which people reckon social relatedness based on mating, birth, and nurturance
Term
Unilineal Descent
Definition
assumes that relatedness is based on just one's father or mother's line
Term
Bilateral Descent
Definition
assumes that relatedness is based on both the father and the mother's line
Term
Consanguineal Relationship
Definition
are decent ties based on blood or biological descent
Term
Affinal Relationships
Definition
are ties based on marriage
Term
Matrilineal Descent
Definition
males and females belong to their mother's lineage ex. Navajo, Hopi, and Ashanti
Term
Patrilineal Descent
Definition
males and females belong to their father's lineage
Term
Exogamy
Definition
marriage outside the lineage
(enhances gene flow)
Term
Endogamy
Definition
marriage within the lineage
(enhances genetic drift)
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