Chapter 1: Introduction to Anthropology as a Discipline

Chapter Introduction

Anthropology is the study of humans across space and time. The term is derived from the Greek words anthropos, or human, and logos, or reason. Anthropology embraces the study of humans across space and time, and often includes comparisons to other primates – and other species – as well as our relationships with them. This requires understanding the many different aspects of the human experience – called holism – as well as how those aspects combine and collide.

Anthropologists consider the past, through archaeology, to see how human groups lived hundreds, thousands, or even millions of years ago and what was important to them. They consider what makes up our biological bodies and genetics, as well as our bones, diet, and health. Anthropologists compare humans with other animals (most often, other primates like monkeys and chimpanzees) to see what we have in common with them and what makes us unique.

Even though nearly all humans need the same things to survive, like food, water, and companionship, the ways people meet these needs can be very different. For example, everyone needs to eat, but people eat different foods and get food in different ways. Anthropologists look at similarities and differences across groups of people to see how they define food, get food, prepare food, and share food.

Anthropologists also try to understand how people interact in social relationships (for example with families and friends). They look at the different ways people dress and communicate in different societies. Anthropologists sometimes use these comparisons to understand their own society.

Many anthropologists work in their own societies looking at economics, health, education, law, and policy (to name just a few topics). When trying to understand these complex issues, they keep in mind what they know about biology, culture, types of communication, and how humans lived in the past.