Transcript Chapter 3

Chapter 3
Applied Anthropology
What We Will Learn
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How have cultural anthropologists applied their
theories, methods, and insights to the solution
of practical problems over the last century?
What special contributions can cultural
anthropology make as an applied science?
How does applied anthropology differ from
theoretical anthropology?
What specialized roles do applied
anthropologists play?
Applied Anthropology
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Characterized by problem oriented
research among the world’s contemporary
populations.
Attempt to apply anthropological data,
concepts, and strategies to the solution of
social, economic, and technological
problems at home and abroad.
Participant-observation
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A fieldwork method in which the cultural
anthropologist lives with the people under
study and observes their everyday
activities.
Problem-oriented Research
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A type of anthropological research
designed to solve a particular societal
problem rather than to test a theoretical
proposition.
Applied Cultural Anthropology
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Applied cultural
anthropologists study
a wide variety of
social settings,
including this
Chinese
neighborhood in
Toronto, Canada.
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Agricultural
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Development in Guinea (10)
Architectural
Business
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Park Restoration (12)
Cross-Cultural Coaching (2)
Market Research (8)
Baby Formula Controversy (3)
Is Nepotism Always Bad? (8)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Development
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Trees in Haiti (4)
Tibetan Rug Weaving (15)
Educational
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Ebonics (6)
Schools in Hawaii (9)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Environmental
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Radiation on Marshall Island (3)
Water Management in Mexico (7)
Economic Development in
Honduras (16))
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Legal
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Minority Prison Inmates (3)
Amish Case in Supreme Court (14)
Anthropologist Turned Detective
(15
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Medical
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Diabetes Among Mexican-Americans (12)
AIDS Research (5)
“Primitive Medicine” and Modern Drugs
(7)
Child Nutrition in Malawi (11)
Family Planning in Ecuador (11)
Public Health Among the Zulus (3)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Political
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Mediation with Trukese Villagers (3)
Ruth Benedict and Post-War Japan (13)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Urban
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New Hope Anti-Poverty Program (4)
Adolescent Drug Dealer in Florida (3)
Homeless Youth (10)
Participant-Observation
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Direct field observation can lead to a fuller
understanding of sociocultural realities
than relying on secondary sources alone.
The rapport developed while conducting
participant-observation research can be
drawn upon in the implementation stage
of the applied project.
Participant-Observation
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Participantobservation studies
of homeless
teenagers can lead to
more realistic social
programs to assist
this misunderstood
segment of the
population.
Question
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________ involves direct field
observation, a hallmark of twentieth
century anthropology.
a) The holistic perspective
b) Cultural relativism
c) Topical expertise
d) Participant observation
Answer: d
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Participant observation involves direct
field observation, a hallmark of twentieth
century anthropology.
Comparison of Theoretical and
Applied Anthropology
Theoretical
Primary
Objective
Research
Methods
Test hypotheses
and describe
ethnographic
reality
Participantobservation and
interviewing
Applied
Help solve
societal
problems
Rapid
Ethnographic
Assessment
Comparison of Theoretical and
Applied Anthropology
Theoretical
Time Frame
A year or more
Collaboration
Seldom
collaborative
Applied
Several weeks
to a month
Usually
collaborative
Theoretical Anthropology
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After WWII many
anthropologists left
government service and
returned to colleges and
universities.
This trend, which
continued through the
1960s, accompanied a
return to more theoretical
concerns.
Applied Anthropology
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Sometimes applied
anthropologists serve
as expert witnesses
in court cases
involving cultural
issues.
Applied Anthropology
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The understandings that
emerge from applied
anthropological studies
of peasant farmers (such
as these in Madagascar)
can be helpful in
agricultural development
programs.
Applied Anthropology
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Applied anthropologists
help medical personnel
provide more efficient
and culturally relevant
services to people
throughout the world.
Here a Western doctor is
inoculating children in
Truk, Micronesia.
The Holistic Perspective
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Forces us to look at human problems in their
historical, economic, and cultural contexts.
Reminds us that the various parts of a sociocultural system are interconnected and a
change in one part of the system is likely to
cause changes in other parts.
Encourages us to look at problems in terms of
both the short run and the long run.
Regional Expertise
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Many anthropologists function as culture area
specialists.
The cultural anthropologist who has conducted
doctoral research in Zambia often returns to
that country for subsequent field studies.
Long-term association with a cultural region
provides a depth of geographic coverage that
most policymakers lack.
The Emic View
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Whatever the setting of a particular
project the applied anthropologist brings
the perspective of the local people to the
project.
By describing the emic view rather than
their own technical/professional view,
anthropologists can provide information
that can seriously affect the outcome of
programs of planned change.
Cultural Relativism
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The basic principle fosters tolerance.
Tolerance can help anthropologists cross
class lines and relate to a wide range of
people within the complex organization
(such as a hospital or school system) in
which they are working.
Topical Expertise
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Topical knowledge gleaned from studies
in one part of the world is likely to have
policy relevance in other parts of the
world.
Cultural anthropologists who have studied
pastoralism in East Africa have topical
experience with and knowledge about
pastoralism that can also be applied in the
Middle East or Central Asia.
Question
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Applied anthropologists bring the
________, or insider's view, to projects.
a) emic
b) monochronic
c) holistic
d) etic
Answer: a
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Applied anthropologists bring the emic, or
insider's view, to projects.
Question
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________ tends to foster tolerance,
which is particularly relevant for applied
anthropologists working in complex
organizations.
a) Cultural resources management
b) Regional expertise
c) Topical expertise
d) Cultural relativism
Answer: d
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Cultural relativism tends to foster
tolerance, which is particularly relevant for
applied anthropologists working in
complex organizations.
Specialized Roles
of Applied Anthropologists
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Policy researcher: provides cultural data
to policymakers to help them make
informed decisions.
Evaluator: Uses research skills to
determine if a program is successful.
Impact assessor: measures the effect of
a project, program, or policy on the local
community.
Specialized Roles
of Applied Anthropologists
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Planner: helps design programs and policies.
Research analyst: interprets research findings
so policymakers, planners, and administrators
can make culturally sensitive decisions.
Needs assessor: conducts research to
determine if a program or project is necessary.
Specialized Roles
of Applied Anthropologists
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Trainer: teaches professionals working in
cross-cultural situations about the culture of a
population.
Advocate: actively supports a particular group
of people.
Administrator/manager: assumes
administrative responsibility for a project.
Specialized Roles
of Applied Anthropologists
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Expert witness: presents culturally
relevant research as part of judicial
proceedings.
Cultural broker: acts as a liaison
between program personnel and local
ethnic communities.
Medical Anthropology
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The program that
employs these three
HIV/AIDS counselors
in Chennai, India, can
profit from cultural
data provided by
medical
anthropologists.
Examples of Applied
Anthropology
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Penny Van Esterik’s advocacy
involvement in the Nestlé baby formula
controversy.
Elizabeth Grobsmith’s work with Native
American prison inmates.
Examples of Applied
Anthropology
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Richard Dembo’s ethnographic research
on teenage cocaine dealing in Florida.
Warren Hern’s work with the Shipibo of
the Peruvian Amazon, which had
important policy implications for programs
of population control.
Industrial Anthropology
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Industrial
anthropologist Dr.
Elizabeth Briody is a
full-time employee of
General Motors.
Applied Anthropology and
Business
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Applied
anthropologists can
serve as consultants
or cultural brokers to
help business people
better understand the
cultures of their
international business
partners.