Fieldwork, Culture Shock, and Attachment in Anthropology

1. Describe and illustrate the importance of fieldwork and participant observation to cultural anthropologists. Also, briefly illustrate the concept of “culture shock” using Chagnon’s experience with the Yanomamo. (5 marks Participant observation and fieldwork are crucial research methods in cultural anthropology. By using these methods, anthropologists can fully cover themselves in their study of civilizations. They provide them with a thorough understanding of the social norms and religious convictions of a community and offer a complete picture of that group’s way of life. Spending a significant amount of time living in and engaging with the society under study is a requirement of fieldwork. By residing in and engaging with the society they are researching, anthropologists can get a firsthand understanding of daily life in the community. Participating in events, rituals, and ceremonies, they gain knowledge of subtle cultural differences. Researchers can obtain rich qualitative data more efficiently by taking part in everyday occurrences. The term “culture shock” describes the unease, and mental strain people feel when they are opened to a culture that is very different from their own. It is not surprising that Chagnon went through culture shock when discovering the Yanomami way of life, given his exposure to Western standards and values. Among the difficulties resulting from culture shock is Chagnon’s seclusion from his accustomed surroundings; he had to adjust to the harsh and isolated lifestyle of the

Yanomami people. Language hurdles, disparities in beliefs and cultural norms, and the need to adjust to a different diet from his usual one was further challenges he would face. Chagnon’s encounter with the Yanomami is an illustration of the impact that cultural shock can have on anthropologists conducting fieldwork. To comprehend the culture under study more fully, it is critical to overcome these obstacles. References Expectations . Expectations |. (n.d.). https://www.concordcarlisle.org/jbodenrader/rules-and-policies/ Www.concordcarlisle.org. (n.d.). https://www.concordcarlisle.org/jbodenrader/wp- content/uploads/sites/71/2015/08/Yanomamo.pdf YouTube. (2013). How cultures are studied. How Cultures are Studied. Retrieved October 19, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72oSUzZT2sU. 2. Citing research and evidence from your readings and videos, illustrate the importance of attachment to our species and primates in general. (5 marks)

Both Jane Goodall and John Bowlby investigated and recorded the advantages and disadvantages of connection in both humans and primates. Jane Gooddall has detailed the ways in which chimpanzees acquire the skills necessary to use basic tools and transmit this knowledge intergenerationally. She also showed the detrimental consequences of a baby being overly attached to its mother by demonstrating how, if one died, the other also perished. Both species value attachment and is important for socialization, learning, and evolution. The value of chimpanzee connection is demonstrated by hand caressing, kissing, cuddling, and patting as a means of fostering affection and offering comfort. Bowlby’s theory of attachment highlights the importance of child development. An evolutionary process known as attachment theory was created to guarantee the survival of babies. Babies will develop an attachment to someone who effectively reads their cues rather than necessarily to the person they spend the most time with. The attachment link that is created helps youngsters learn, grow in confidence, and establish the foundation for future relationships. It also offers safety and support. It is evident that humans and primates have an inbuilt desire to build relationships from birth. These connections enable the processes of development and protection that mold relationships and knowledge in both species.

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References Harlow’s classic studies revealed the importance of maternal contact . Association for Psychological Science - APS. (2018, June 20). https://www.psychologicalscience.org/publications/observer/obsonline/harlow s-classic-studies-revealed-the-importance-of-maternal-contact.html

ANTR 2005 Assignment 1 revised copy

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