Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The study of human societies and cultures from a comparative perspective, focusing on understanding the diversity of human behavior, beliefs, and practices across different cultures.
Related terms
Ethnography: A research method used by anthropologists to immerse themselves in a specific culture for an extended period of time, allowing them to observe and document cultural practices firsthand.
The idea that cultural norms and values should be understood within their own social context rather than being judged based on the standards of one's own culture.
Cultural Universals: Patterns or traits found in all known cultures, such as language, family structures, or rituals. Anthropological research helps us identify both similarities and differences among these universals.