Anthropology and sociology

1. Introduction to Anthropology
Week 3, Session 5

2. Cultural Anthropology and Sociology
Both cultural anthropology and sociology are social sciences that study human behaviour, social patterns, and
culture. However, they differ in focus, methodological approach, and scope.
Methodology: Cultural anthropologists often employ ethnographic methods, engaging in extensive fieldwork
where they immerse themselves in the cultures they are studying. Sociologists, on the other hand, generally
use statistical and other quantitative methods, focusing on patterns and trends within larger societies.
Scale: Anthropology often focuses on small-scale societies or specific communities within larger societies, or
specific issues focusing on specific field site/s while sociology tends to focus on large-scale societal structures.
Anthropologists are interested in cultural differences and highlight the importance of cultural relativism, the
principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood in terms of their own culture.
Sociology, meanwhile, can be more focused on societal structures and processes, such as class, race, and
gender, that shape and are shaped by human behavior.
• Discussions – on methods and scales

3. What is Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism proposes that all cultures are equally valid and can only be truly understood in their own
context.
It's a method that anthropologists use to avoid ethnocentrism, or judging another culture based on the values
and standards of one's own culture.
The principle of cultural relativism:
• No culture is superior to another.
• Cultures are coherent systems.
• Cultures can only be understood from an insider's perspective
However, it's important to note that cultural relativism is a methodological tool and not a moral stance. It does
not imply that all cultural practices are morally equal or that we should refrain from making moral judgments
about them. For instance, practices like female genital mutilation or forced marriage, though culturally
significant in some societies, are widely considered to be human rights violations. Cultural relativism doesn't
argue that we must accept these practices, but it helps us to understand why they exist in those cultures.

4. Cultural Anthropology and Psychology
The intersection of anthropology and psychology, often referred to as psychological anthropology, examines
how culture influences the human mind, behavior, feelings, and perceptions.
• Culture and Mind: Cultural anthropologists study how culture shapes human behavior and thought,
while psychologists focus on the individual's mind and behavior. By combining these perspectives, we
can gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between culture and the individual mind.
• Culture and Mental Health: Anthropologists and psychologists often collaborate to understand cross-
cultural perspectives on mental health. They study how cultural norms and beliefs influence definitions,
experiences, and treatments of mental health issues.
• Culture and Cognitive Processes: Cultural differences can influence cognitive processes, including
perception, memory, and reasoning. The interplay of culture and cognition is a key area of focus in both
cultural anthropology and cognitive psychology.
Cultural anthropology is an essential discipline for understanding human societies and behaviors. Its
intersections with other academic fields like sociology and psychology allow for a multi-dimensional
exploration of human behavior, culture, mind, and social structures.