ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

ADDIS ABABA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

ANTHROPOLOGY ASSIGNMENT

UNIQUES FEATURES AND MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT

ANTHROPOLOGY

SECTION 18

GROUP 2

GROUP MEMBERS: Id No
1. Betselot Tesfaye-------------------------------------------------

2. Meron Tsegaye--------------------------------------------------

3. Yelibe Tsedeke--------------------------------------------------

4. Nega Demewez -------------------------------------------------

5. Naod Garedew -------------------------------------------------

6. Emen Mario------------------------------------------------------

7. Kaleab Solomon------------------------------------------------
 INTRODUCTION
Anthropology is “the science of humanity”. It focuses on human beings in aspects ranging from
the biology and evolutionary history of Homo sapiens to the features of society and culture that
decisively distinguish humans from other animal species.

Anthropology stands apart from other disciplines with its distinct scope, approach, focus, and
method of study. These unique characteristics come together to shape the field of
anthropology and set it apart as a discipline that offers a comprehensive understanding of
human societies and cultures.

Furthermore, anthropology's emphasis on fieldwork and qualitative research methods sets it

apart from other disciplines, as it requires a deep immersion in the communities and cultures
being studied. This hands-on approach allows for an understanding of human practices, beliefs,
and social structures, providing valuable insights into the complexities of human societies.

Overall, anthropology's unique combination of scope, approach, focus, and methodology

distinguishes it as a discipline that offers a rich and multifaceted understanding of human
experience. By exploring the details of culture, society, and behavior, anthropology provides
valuable insights into the ways in which we interact, adapt, and evolve as individuals and as
members of larger social groups.

This paper deals with what makes anthropology unique from other fields of study and the
common misconceptions regarding it. When we say anthropology is unique, we mean that it
differs from other fields by its core working. Its singular approach to studying the human
condition is unmatched by any other field, imbuing it with a distinct identity and value that sets
it apart as one-of-a-kind. The following are the defining characteristics -broad scope, method of
research, fieldwork-based approach, interdisciplinary nature, and applied focus - make
anthropology a truly unique and irreplaceable discipline.
 Broad Scope
Anthropology, as a field, is characterized by its broad scope and unique features. Here are some
key aspects that highlight its comprehensive and distinctive nature:

 Fieldwork-Based Research:

A significant feature of anthropology is the emphasis on immersive fieldwork, often involving

participant observation and long-term engagement with communities.

 Emphasis on Cultural Relativism:

Anthropologists strive to understand cultures on their own terms, avoiding ethnocentric

judgments, and promoting an appreciation for cultural diversity.

 Interdisciplinary Connection:

Anthropology intersects with various other disciplines such as sociology, psychology, history,
and biology, allowing for a multidisciplinary approach to understanding human behavior and
societies.

 Applied Anthropology:

Beyond academic research, anthropology has practical applications in areas such as public
health, urban planning, education, and business, addressing real-world problems through
anthropological insights.

 Focus on Human Evolution:

The study of human origins and evolution is a central concern, tracing the development of
Homo sapiens and their ancestors over millions of years.

 Attention to Globalization:

Anthropologists examine the effects of globalization, migration, and transnationalism on

cultures and societies, exploring how global forces shape local practices and identities.

These features collectively make anthropology a comprehensive and dynamic field that seeks to
understand the complexity of the human condition across time and space.

Approaches of Anthropology
Anthropology differs from other disciplines by its field of approaches. It includes studying
people’s history, languages, artifacts, stories and custom as a whole. This helps to mitigate any
bias or stereotypic assumptions made about past and present cultures. Anthropology uses
different approaches to carry out its research. This makes it unique from other fields that use
the same way of study.

The main anthropological approaches are: -

1. Holisticness/Holism: -

Humanity is a very vast concept. Anthropology studies the whole of humanity. It has varying
biological, social, and cultural aspects. Anthropology is equally divided to cover all these
aspects. It studies the relation of all aspects to uncover cultural or societal trends. It has
different subfields namely: linguistic anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeology, and
biological anthropology. It focuses on people’s history, languages, artifacts, stories, and
customs. It questions how different forms of living influence or affect each other. This helps to
mitigate any bias or stereotypic assumptions made about differing groups of people.

2. Cultural Relativism: -

This approach holds the idea that culture is relative. Every person’s belief, behavior and
practices should be viewed in their cultural background. Every culture has its own way of
working. Anthropology seeks to understand the different way of life of every culture, religion
and society.

Cultural relativism is the opposite of ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s
culture is superior to others. Anthropology strongly rejects ethnocentrism because tolerance
and understanding despite our differences is essential to live a peaceful life and learn from
others.

3. Comparison: -

Anthropology uses comparison to study different human aspects. Comparison helps to answer
questions on how we differ and how we change. It compares morals, ideas, systems, and
practices of varying cultures. In comparison, we learn a lot more about nature and look for all
the possible responses to differing contexts and problems of humanity.

4. Insider approach: -

An important feature that distinguishes anthropology from other disciplines is its emphasis on
the perspective of an insider when examining other cultures. In its approach to culture and
society, anthropology has made a distinction between the emic perspective and etic
perspective.

Emic and Etic Perspectives

Emic perspectives refer to an insider view, which seeks to describe culture or social behavior in
terms of the categories, concepts and perceptions of the people being studied. The emic
perspective involves understanding cultural phenomena from the viewpoint of the insider,
using concepts and categories that are meaningful to the people being studied.

It looks at the beliefs, values and practices of a particular culture. This approach aims to
understand the cultural meaning and significance of a particular behavior or practice, as it is
understood by the people who engage in it.

Etic perspectives refer to an outsider view, in which anthropologists use their own categories
and concepts to describe culture analysis. It looks at a culture or society from the perspective of
an outsider observer or researcher. The etic perspective, on the other hand, involves analyzing
cultures from the viewpoint of an outsider, using concepts and categories derived from the
anthropologist’s or other peoples’ own cultural background.

Anthropologists strive to understand cultures from both emic and etic perspectives.
Anthropological studies consider insider views as focus of attention because it helps to
understand how people perceive themselves and discern their world, how a particular group of
people explain about their action or give meaning to their behavior or cultural practices. The
insider approach helps to understand the logic and justification behind group behavior and
cultural practices.

Method of Research
Anthropology is distinguished by its unique research method, which is predominantly centered
on ethnographic fieldwork. This method sets anthropology apart from other social sciences and
involves several distinctive features. Some of the distinguishing research methods are:

Ethnography

 It is a core method in anthropology, which involves creating detailed descriptions and

analyses of specific cultures or social groups through immersive fieldwork. This method
combines participant observation and in-depth interviews to gather detailed,
contextualized data, producing rich, descriptive narratives that portray the community's
way of life. Emphasizing cultural context, reflexivity, and theoretical analysis,
ethnography adopts a holistic approach to examine interconnections between various
aspects of community life. Ethnographic accounts contribute significantly to
anthropology by enhancing our understanding of human diversity, challenging existing
theories, and highlighting cultural commonalities and differences.

Participant Observation
  One of the cornerstone techniques in ethnographic fieldwork is participant observation.
Anthropologists immerse themselves in the daily lives of the people they study, often
living within the community for extended periods. This immersion allows them to
observe and participate in various activities, providing a deep, nuanced understanding
of the social dynamics, cultural practices, and lived experiences of the group.

Holistic Perspective

 Anthropology adopts a holistic approach, considering the interconnectedness of various

aspects of human life. Anthropologists examine the economic, social, political, religious,
and ecological dimensions of a community to understand how these elements interact
and influence each other.

Misconceptions about Anthropology

There are some misconceptions about anthropology believed in majority of the population
nowadays that needs clarification. Even though there are a lot of misconceptions some of major
misconceptions are:

 Only deals with the past: Though the misconception that anthropology only deals with
the past is widespread, Anthropology isn’t solely about history. While archaeology, a
subfield of anthropology, does focus on ancient civilizations and artifacts, anthropology
as a whole encompasses much more. Anthropologists study contemporary societies,
cultural practices, language, and human behavior across various contexts. They explore
both historical and present-day aspects, aiming to understand the complexities of
human existence and evolution.
 Anthropologists only work in remote areas: Anthropology is everywhere! From tribal
communities to bustling cities like Atlanta, anthropologists study human beings across
diverse contexts. While fieldwork in distant or exotic locations is a part of
anthropological research, it’s not the sole focus. Anthropologists also study urban
environments, industrial societies, and even digital cultures. Their work spans diverse
contexts, from bustling cities to rural villages, aiming to understand human behavior,
culture, and evolution across the spectrum of human experience.

 Anthropology only focuses on people: Anthropology indeed studies human beings, but
also takes holistic approach. Anthropologists explore not only people but also their
environment, language, culture, and even genetics. By examining the interplay of these
factors, anthropology provides a comprehensive understanding of our species’ past,
present, and future.
Reference :

1. PERSPECTIVES: AN OPEN INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

https://perspectives.americananthro.org/Chapters/Culture_Concept.pdf
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4. Prasojo, Z. H., & Ismail, R. B. A. (2013). INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY.

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