Anthropology Sample Essay Paper.
| Type of service: | Writing from scratch |
| Work type: | Essay (any type) |
| Deadline for submission on editing: | 18 hours |
| Academic level: | College (1-2 years: Freshman, Sophomore) |
| Subject or discipline: | Anthropology |
| Title: | answer four questions. |
| Number of sources: | 0 |
| Provide digital sources used: | No |
| Paper format: | APA |
| # of pages: | 4 |
| Spacing: | Double spaced |
| # of words: | 1100 |
| # of slides: | ppt icon 0 |
| # of charts: | 0 |
| Paper details: | answer those 4 questions: 1. Who were Miner’s Nacirema? What information does the article give to identify them (Give specific details from article/module)? What is the purpose of describing them in such a way? Read the article carefully, view the lecture/module information and consider the author’s intent. 2. What is ethnocentrism and cultural relativism and why are these two concepts important to cultural anthropology? Consider at least one example of U.S. cultural traditions or tendencies that could be viewed judgmentally from an outside perspective. Describe it and explain why this practice may be viewed this way. Also, consider at least one example of other, non-U.S. cultural traditions/practices/tendencies that could be viewed judgmentally or critically from our own perspectives and apply the same analysis. How does this exercise underscore the importance of adopting a culturally relativistic perspective (or does it?)? 3. Explain the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis briefly. What are some ways that language can shape our reality and vice versa? Consider examples discussed in the textbook, lecture as well as your own examples (can be from your native language or others). 4. What are some ethical considerations one must take before going into the field to study “human subjects?” What are some ethical dilemmas that can arise from working with other people in the field (consider the textbook, your own examples and/or those cited in lecture)? What are some ways a researcher can avoid or minimize these dilemmas? |
Anthropology Assignment
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About the Nacirema Existence
The Nacirema community happens out of the ordinary presumption that loads of anthropological studies stills allow room for the ambiguous occurrence of extreme behaviors. The Nacirema, according to Miner, are a notable extreme community and their behaviors and practices seem more unlikely to get a match around the world. The Nacirema presumes a somewhat sophisticated culture to understand despite numerous efforts made to study it for more than two decades. In addition, they are a group of people with their marked territory, economy, culture, and tradition that is only understood by the members of the community. The community claims the habitat extending from Canadian Cree all through to Yaqui and Tarahumare of Mexico and also Carib and Arawak of the Antilles with no known origin.
The identity of the Nacirema also involves a group that commits to high economic involvement within their habitat. Nevertheless, the heightened obsession with economic prosperity also incorporates a shocking ritual activity which the community highly prioritizes. The Nacirema astonishingly adores the ritual activity whereby they spend most of their fortunes and commits a lot of time in it. The ritual concentrates on the human body, appearance, and health which constitutes the ethos of the community. Ideally, the community is so discrete in the ritual. It is an uncommon occurrence around the world making them unique. The entire practice relies on the notion that the human body is dirty or unclean and hence susceptible to disease and debility. The cleansing of the human body is thus prioritized as a fundamental culture observation of the community.
The identity of the Nacirema is ideal in singling out their discreteness and anonymity in their practice making them a community of their world. In addition, Miner identifies that the community is very connected and thorough in eliminating impurity and dirty from the human body to accommodate a highly pure community. Each family has a shrine whereby the rituals which are private and secret takes place. The secretive practice of the ritual ensures that the community holds together their culture and tradition within their bloodline. The description about the discrete ritual of the Nacirema explains the underlying motive as well as an explanation why little is known about the origin and culture of the community.
Understanding Cultural Anthropology
The terms associated with cultural anthropology are vital in understanding how society’s values, norms, tradition, language, and practices are in existences and how they relate to different communities. First, ethnocentrism refers to a relative perception of the development of other cultures from a personal, cultural view. The concept of ethnocentrism provides an account of the possible changes or development which could otherwise constitute a comprehensive comparison of two cultures considering a common parameter of time. Moreover, the concept is crucial in the scope of cultural anthropology as it helps in the description of cultural attributes of a society and how much changes take place over time.
Cultural relativism relates to the understanding of other people beliefs, norms, and tradition with respect to their view rather than personal interpretation. Cultural relativism ensures that cultural practices can be described and understood for their original establishment. The concept is crucial in cultural anthropology as it applies in the establishment of the root and core foundation of a culture. An objective perspective of culture provides a critical view and hugely influences the understanding of the cultural practices of particular societies. Cultural relativism allows room to gain a broader perspective about a specific culture rather than remain fixated on a subjective knowledge of the culture.
Considerably, a critical consideration of the American culture from an inside and outside perspective manifest immense discrepancies. For instance, the American is accused of putting too much sugar in all their foods whereby sugary meals appears to be a reasonable course for the Americans. The level of the skepticism about the sugary diet is way too much. In addition, from the perspective of the Americans, the use of cheese is way above the levels of sugars in their meal. The perception of the American dishes is bound to be criticized as long as people do not put together the history and importance of the American cuisine.
The American identifies as a cosmopolitan state and proudly boast about the linguistic diversity of its people. The Americans do not have an official language since its population comprises different ethnicity who enjoy their native origins including Asian, Spanish, Portuguese and English among others. The language diversity of the Americans has been the center of conflict as well as the pillar of commonality. All the citizens take the pride and misery of the country as an American regardless of their native language or race. The commonality of the American people obscures the importance of the characteristics of the native language of the various ethnic groups that comprise America. From a cultural relativistic point, the native language of the different groups may eventually lose meaning in the end.
The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis refers to the hypothesis that was first established in 1929 by Edward Sapir and later reinforced by Benjamin Whorf. The hypothesis concerns the influence of a language structure on a native speaker view and classification of experiences. Considerably, the native language orientation has a substantial implication in the way people think and handle different matters. However, the theoretical hypothesis is not with controversies as it overlooks other important factors other than language that could impact our thoughts and experiences. The structure of language is undeniably a significant influence in the manner we perceive the world in a number of ways. Language can strongly affect how well or bad we get along or comfortable with other people. Moreover, language impacts our understanding of religion and its applicability in our lives.
Ethical Issues and Dilemma
The study of the human subject also takes into account moral consideration as it involves extensive research on people’s way of life. It is common that people would be reluctant to disclose their way of life or cultural practices. The ethical concerns incorporate absolute respect for uncommon cultural traditions where in some case a researcher reaction may eventually turn off the chances of full disclosure on a culture. It is therefore imperative to handle all the information about culture, values, and tradition with utmost respect since the research might invoke a lot of feelings and reaction from the human subjects.
Nevertheless, ethical dilemmas are inevitable in the study of humans and their way of life. For example, some communities carry on the practice of barbaric cultural practices such as Female genital mutilation and research would be in a dilemma to serve the purpose of the study or come to the rescue of ongoing immoral action. In addition, some religion being a part of culture could be wicked and ethically unacceptable although the research is under the responsibility of gathering information. A researcher should avoid getting emotional and getting carried away while undertaking a research study to minimize the chances of an ethical dilemma.
Reference
Miner, Horace. “Body Ritual among the Nacirema.” American Anthropologist 58.3 (1956): 503-507.