Verified Document

Cultural Anthropology Term Paper

Cultural Anthropology Native anthropology" is a set of theories based on non-Western precepts and assumptions in the same sense that modern anthropology is based on and is supported by Western beliefs and values (Jones, 31)

"native anthropologist" differs from an anthropologist who is not native to the society being studied in the following ways. Essentially Anthropologists can be described as either insiders or outsiders.

An "insider" is a person who conducts research on the cultural, racial or ethnic group of which he or she is a member, and an "outsider" conducts research of a native culture from an objective point-of-view. "Insiders" and "outsiders" face different problems.

Anthropology students are generally taught that a person working with his/her own people cannot maintain objectivity and research experiences must be gained from another culture. However, the basic aim of anthropological field research is to describe the total culture of a group of people and it is also felt that this description should be made from the point-of-view of the people - the insider view. For the anthropologist to obtain such a description, he/she must become totally involved in the life of the people, spending much time with them. The logical conclusion from this, as Jones puts forward, is that such a trained "native anthropologist" would produce good, reliable data since he/she is so familiar with the people. (Jones, 32) The insider has easy access to information, is trusted by the people, and is at an obvious advantage. But what Jones also points out is that the outside has advantages of his/her own. The outsider will derive his research questions from the literature on the concept of culture and from "the tendency of anthropologists to speak of a total population in terms of a study of one segment of that population." (Jones, 33) As an outsider you work with people who, because of cultural, language or racial differences, are always aware that you are an outsider, a researcher,...

(Jones, 36) The insider approach would be quite different. It involves intuition, experience and self-esteem. Current literature, for example, is filled with discussions concerning black self-image, and the conclusion is that blacks have a more negative self-image than whites. There would be automatic defense and resentment at having ones own group described in this manner. (Jones, 33)
"native anthropologist" would also seem far less hostile and he would be viewed as less of a stranger. As an insider, people do not look at you as a researcher, but as a friend. (Jones, 36) Alternatively, a "native anthropologist" could also raise eyebrows, with the culture concerned reacting rather suspiciously with obvious questions such as - is the anthropologist connected with an agency? Does he have a hidden agenda? All these factors come into play when taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of a native anthropologist, as do facial expressions, hand movements, body movements, and tone of voice when conducting research. (Jones, 34) A native researcher would need to explain what he was doing. Most people in urban black communities know what research is and are familiar with it, and many feel (according to Jones) that research among black people by a black social scientist was a very good thing because reports written by whites cannot reflect an understanding of black people. (Jones, 35).

A common problem facing anthropologists is whether or not to withhold data and many have withheld information gathered in Third World countries in the fear that this would displease the host country and risk their chances of returning.

In the final analysis, neither an outsider nor an insider has any distinct advantages, and problems arise with both. "One vantage point cannot be said to be better than the other." (Jones, 37) Each methodology and approach however can be said to be different and both have particular distortions, inaccuracies, half truths and social…

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

Scheper-Hughes, N. Culture, Scarcity and Maternal Thinking: Maternal Detachment and Infant Survival in a Brazilian Shantytown. Pp.291- 314

Rosaldo, R (1989). Culture and Truth: The Remaking of Social Analysis: Introduction: Grief and Headhunter's Rage. Boston Beacon Press. Pp. 1- 21

Jones, D. Towards a Native Anthropoloy. Pp 30-39
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Cultural Anthropology Otherwise Known As the Socio-Cultural
Words: 1245 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Cultural anthropology otherwise known as the socio-cultural anthropology or social anthropology is basically the study of culture and is mainly founded on ethnography. Ethnography is based on the methodology of collection of primary data and is purely a product of research where inductive method is used as well as a heavy reliance on the participant observers. It is considered as the holistic and scientific study of humanity and majorly the branch

Cultural Anthropology
Words: 940 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Love Medicine Cultural Anthropology focuses on how various customs, traditions and background of the individual will influence their lives. These insights offer specific ideas to provide a better understanding of what is happening and the long-term impacts of specific individuals and groups. The book Love Medicine is taking this approach by looking at the changes that are occurring with Chippewa Indians. They are located on a South Dakota reservation from the

Cultural Anthropology Marriage and Incest Taboos
Words: 1665 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Marriage Incest Taboos Marriage and incest taboos Defining Marriage Marriage is a sanctioned union between people that establishes certain rights and obligations between those people, their children, and their relatives (Ember & Ember, 2010). These rights and obligations may include many things, including the right to property, labor, childrearing and bearing, status, and home (Ember & Ember, 2010). These privileges and rights vary greatly from culture to culture. For example, in some cultures,

Cultural Anthropology Cree and Intuit Cultures
Words: 1048 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Cultural Adaptations to Environmental Conditions in the Arctic North The first human occupation of the Americas occurred in Berengia during the last glaciation of the region. Later, it was more widely accepted that the primary center of population expansion was in Alaska, subsequently spreading into the Canadian Arctic and Greenland. The physical environment of the populated regions influenced the developing cultures of each group, affected by access to resources, barriers to

Cultural Anthropology
Words: 497 Length: 1 Document Type: Term Paper

individual may have about a particular group of people can drastically effect their attitude and behavior towards that particular group of people. When two people from different cultures, with their own biases and cultural thinking, are faced with the prospect of interacting, these preconceptions can emerge in the form of confusion, misunderstanding, and even anger. One situation that comes to mind occurred while a friend was visiting her boyfriend. His

Sociology and Cultural Anthropology Research Methods Used
Words: 944 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Sociology and Cultural Anthropology Research Methods used in Sociology Closed or Structured Questionnaires and Participant Observation are among the many research methods used in sociological studies. Structured questionnaire is a quantitative research method that was postulated by Emile Durkheim. It is positivist in nature and is comprised of low researcher involvement and high respondents' participation. A questionnaire is, in fact, a series of questions posed to individuals for obtaining statistically useful information about

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now