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.
Cultural Relativism: 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.