Transcript Chapter 3 - Cengage Learning

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.
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Architectural
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Business
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Apache Housing (2)
Park Restoration (13)
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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Educational
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Trees in Haiti (4)
Environment/Development in
Honduras (16)
Tibetan Rug Weaving (15)
Ebonics (6)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Environmental
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Water Management in Mexico
(7)
Highway Environmental Study
(16)
Radiation on Marshall Island
(3)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Legal
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Customary Law Project in
New Guinea (12)
Amish and Supreme Court
(14)
Minority Prison Inmates (3)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Medical
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Diabetes Among MexicanAmericans (13)
AIDS Research (5)
“Primitive Medicine” and Modern
Drugs (7)
Child Nutrition in Malawi (11)
Family Planning Clinics in Ecuador
(11)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Political
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Population
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Mediation with Trukese Villagers
(3)
Tribal Status for the Poarch Creek
(12)
Ruth Benedict and Post-War
Japan (3)
Shipibo (3)
Types of Applied Anthropology
Form
Examples (chapters)
Urban
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Skid Row Men (9)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Quick Quiz
1. ________ 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.
2. 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.
3. ________ 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.
4. Another common role for applied
anthropologists, ________ actively
participate in the design of various
programs and policies.
a) trainers
b) planners
c) policy researchers
d) evaluators
Answer: b
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Another common role for applied
anthropologists, planners actively
participate in the design of various
programs and policies.
5. A rare role, the ________ becomes an
active supporter of a particular group of
people, and usually involves some level
of political action.
a) needs assessor
b) advocate
c) policy researcher
d) impact assessor
Answer: b
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A rare role, the advocate becomes an
active supporter of a particular group of
people, and usually involves some level of
political action.