Applied Anthropology: Solving Practical Problems Through Cultural Insights

1. Chapter 3 Applied Anthropology (Ferraro, Gary. Cultural Anthropology. An Applied Perspective. 7th ed. (2008)

2. What We Will Learn • 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?

3. Applied Anthropology • 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.

4. Participant-observation • A fieldwork method in which the cultural anthropologist lives with the people under study and observes their everyday activities.

5. Problem-oriented Research • A type of anthropological research designed to solve a particular societal problem rather than to test a theoretical proposition.

6. Applied Cultural Anthropology • Applied cultural anthropologists study a wide variety of social settings, including this Chinese neighborhood in Toronto, Canada.

7. Types of Applied Anthropology

8. Types of Applied Anthropology

9. Types of Applied Anthropology

10. Types of Applied Anthropology

11. Types of Applied Anthropology

12. Types of Applied Anthropology

13. Types of Applied Anthropology

14. Participant-Observation • 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.

15. Participant-Observation • Participant-observation studies of homeless teenagers can lead to more realistic social programs to assist this misunderstood segment of the population.

16. _____ involves direct field observation, a hallmark of twentieth century anthropology. • The holistic perspective • Cultural relativism • Topical expertise • Participant observation

17. Answer: 4 • Participant observation involves direct field observation, a hallmark of twentieth century anthropology.

18. Comparison of Theoretical and Applied Anthropology

19. Comparison of Theoretical and Applied Anthropology

20. Theoretical Anthropology • After WWII many anthropologists left government service and returned to colleges and universities. • This trend, which continued through the 1960s, accompanied a return to more theoretical concerns.

21. Applied Anthropology • Sometimes applied anthropologists serve as expert witnesses in court cases involving cultural issues.

22. Applied Anthropology • The understandings that emerge from applied anthropological studies of peasant farmers (such as these in Madagascar) can be helpful in agricultural development programs.

23. Applied Anthropology • Applied anthropologists help medical personnel provide more efficient and culturally relevant services to people throughout the world. • Here a Western doctor is inoculating children in Truk, Micronesia.

24. The Holistic Perspective • Forces us to look at human problems in their historical, economic, and cultural contexts. • Reminds us that the various parts of a socio-cultural 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.

25. Regional Expertise • 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.

26. The Emic View • 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.

27. Cultural Relativism • 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.

28. Topical Expertise • 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.

29. Applied anthropologists bring the _____, or insider's view, to projects. • emic • monochronic • holistic • etic

30. Answer: 1 • Applied anthropologists bring the emic, or insider's view, to projects.

31. _____ tends to foster tolerance, which is particularly relevant for applied anthropologists working in complex organizations. • Cultural resources management • Regional expertise • Topical expertise • Cultural relativism

32. Answer: 4 • Cultural relativism tends to foster tolerance, which is particularly relevant for applied anthropologists working in complex organizations.

33. Specialized Rolesof Applied Anthropologists • 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.

34. Specialized Rolesof Applied Anthropologists • 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.

35. Specialized Rolesof Applied Anthropologists • 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.

36. Specialized Rolesof Applied Anthropologists • Expert witness: presents culturally relevant research as part of judicial proceedings. • Cultural broker: acts as a liaison between program personnel and local ethnic communities.

37. Medical Anthropology • The program that employs these three HIV/AIDS counselors in Chennai, India, can profit from cultural data provided by medical anthropologists.

38. Examples of Applied Anthropology • Penny Van Esterik’s advocacy involvement in the Nestlé baby formula controversy. • Elizabeth Grobsmith’s work with Native American prison inmates.

39. Examples of Applied Anthropology • 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.

40. Industrial Anthropology • Industrial anthropologist Dr. Elizabeth Briody is a full-time employee of General Motors.

41. Applied Anthropology and Business • Applied anthropologists can serve as consultants or cultural brokers to help business people better understand the cultures of their international business partners.