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fandomhigh2006-03-29 02:04 pm
the-ascended.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2006-03-29 02:04 pm
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Anthropology, 6th Period
"Anthropologists learn about the culture of another society through fieldwork and first hand observation in that society. This kind of research is called ethnography. Today, I want to talk about different methods that ethnographers use to learn about different cultures.
There's participant observation, which ethnographers and anthropologists believe is the best way to get to know a society and its culture is to live in it and participate in it rather than simply observe. Having done it myself for a year, I was able to integrate myself into this society and I only wish that I could have spent more time there." Daniel's face clouded slightly and he looked slightly troubled.
"There's also ideal and believed behavior. deal behavior is what we think we should be doing and what we want others to believe we are doing. Actual behavior is what is really going on. Believed behavior is what we honestly think we are doing. In reality, our actions are often different from what we believe them to be at that time. For example, many North American husbands assume that they do roughly half of the work of cleaning and maintaining their home. Their wives would probably dispute that assertion. Does this mean that the husbands are not telling the truth? No, it usually means that their perception of what they are doing may not be realistic in this case. What other examples can you guys think of?
In most ethnographic fieldwork, only a portion of the host society is actually studied intensively. Due to the practical impossibility of observing and talking at length with everyone, only a sample of a community is selected. There can be a probability sampling, a random sample, a stratified sample or a judgement sample, which is what most ethnographers rely on. Why do you think that? What are the difference between these sample methods?
Ethnographers can collect reliable data and develop a realistic understanding of the cultural patterns in another society through a combination of five things:
1. Proper mental preparation (including adopting the cultural relativity perspective)
2. Participant-observation
3. Language competence
4. Long-term residence
5. Luck in being at the right place at the right time."
There's participant observation, which ethnographers and anthropologists believe is the best way to get to know a society and its culture is to live in it and participate in it rather than simply observe. Having done it myself for a year, I was able to integrate myself into this society and I only wish that I could have spent more time there." Daniel's face clouded slightly and he looked slightly troubled.
"There's also ideal and believed behavior. deal behavior is what we think we should be doing and what we want others to believe we are doing. Actual behavior is what is really going on. Believed behavior is what we honestly think we are doing. In reality, our actions are often different from what we believe them to be at that time. For example, many North American husbands assume that they do roughly half of the work of cleaning and maintaining their home. Their wives would probably dispute that assertion. Does this mean that the husbands are not telling the truth? No, it usually means that their perception of what they are doing may not be realistic in this case. What other examples can you guys think of?
In most ethnographic fieldwork, only a portion of the host society is actually studied intensively. Due to the practical impossibility of observing and talking at length with everyone, only a sample of a community is selected. There can be a probability sampling, a random sample, a stratified sample or a judgement sample, which is what most ethnographers rely on. Why do you think that? What are the difference between these sample methods?
Ethnographers can collect reliable data and develop a realistic understanding of the cultural patterns in another society through a combination of five things:
1. Proper mental preparation (including adopting the cultural relativity perspective)
2. Participant-observation
3. Language competence
4. Long-term residence
5. Luck in being at the right place at the right time."