SHORT ANSWER ONLY - Assignment Example

of the due Anthropology Research Anthropology Research Ethnocentrism This is the belief that one’s particular culture, religious or racial group is better than another group. This belief is based on fake assumptions due to one’s own inadequate understanding of another group. This concept is essential in anthropological research since it is a major foundation of antagonism and inter-group conflicts (Geest, 2005). Generally, it has resulted to misunderstanding among racial groups leading to attempts by some groups to expressly control to other groups.

Researchers are keen to discern human actions in relation to conflicts directed to opposite cultural group. An example is the perception by the United States of America to be superior to other nations in terms of its economic and military might. This is manifested by their incursion in the Middle East.2. Cultural Relativism This is the principal that all customs, beliefs and ethical standards of a particular group are relative to its own interpretation and other groups should understand them in that groups perception (Cahoone, 2005).

Thus no culture should perceive itself to be superior to another when comparing their structure of religion, politics, language or rule against another group. This concept is important to guard against biased judgment by anthropological researchers in taking field notes on an ethnic group to which they don’t belong. Hence your cultural identity should not portray you as ethnocentric in your final reporting of a culture (Cahoone, 2005). An example is the Chinese people who eat dog meat. In my culture, dog is considered as a pet.

It is my conviction therefore to appreciate them in impartiality even though I might hold a controversial opinion.3. Emic This is a perspective used by anthropologist mostly in cultural anthropology to study a society’s cultural system. Emic perspective is culture specific. It focuses on the inherent cultural distinctions that are significant to members of a given culture. This concept is paramount as it guides researcher against subjective opinion while embarking on a cross-cultural study (Liu, 2001).

Hence the members of a society are the solitary judges of the legitimacy of an emic description. It gives major credence to local viewpoints. An example of emic is specific definition of a marriage. For instance, polyandry practiced in some societies is viewed as normal.4. Enculturation This a process by which a person adapts to and assimilates the culture in which he lives in. He or she becomes a successful member of the society by practicing its accepted norms and values. It is a lifelong process learned through communication in the form of gestures, words and speech from parents, peers and community members (Schiffauer, 2004).

It is important in anthropological research because it helps in understanding human behavior in relation to his or her culture. It is used as a term for being socialized into a particular culture. An example of enculturation is when one grows up in a society where polygamy is the norm. He or she sees nothing wrong with that type of marriage.5. Quantitative vs. qualitative research Quantitative research generates empirical data or information that can be converted into statistics. Only quantifiable data are being gathered and analyzed in this type of research, where as qualitative research generates non-numerical data.

Gathered information is then analyzed in an interpretive, subjective, generalized or even investigative manner. Quantitative research is important in anthropological research because it makes researchers objective in their approach to cultural studies (Schiffauer, 2004). This eliminates biases since it seeks accurate measurements and analysis of target concepts in answering a research topic. On the other hand qualitative research is important because it is subjective in its approach as it is used to understand the complex human behavior in relation to culture, norms, lifestyle or values.

ReferencesCahoone, L. E. (2005): Cultural revolutions: reason versus culture in philosophy, politics, and jihad. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press. Geest, S. v. (2005): Ethnocentrism: reflections on medical anthropology (2nd rev. Ed.). Amsterdam: Het Spinhuis. Liu, J. (2001): Asian students classroom communication patterns in U.S. universities an emic perspective. Westport, Conn.: Ablex. Schiffauer, W. (2004): Civil enculturation: nation-state, schools, and ethnic difference in four European countries.

New York: Berghahn Books.