Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Cultural anthropology is the study of human cultures, societies, and behaviors in diverse environments. It examines how cultural factors shape individual and group identities, beliefs, values, and practices.
Related terms
Ethnography: Ethnography is a research method used in cultural anthropology that involves immersive observation and interaction with a specific cultural group to gain deep insights into their behaviors and beliefs.
This term refers to the perspective that values, norms, and behaviors should be understood within the context of a particular culture rather than being judged based on one's own cultural standards.
Enculturation: Enculturation refers to the process by which individuals learn and internalize their culture's beliefs, values, customs, and social norms through socialization from birth onward.