To redefine cogitative anthropology based on the definitions of a range of literature assessed for this paper, it is an idealistic approach, studies the interaction between human thought and human culture. To be specific, it studies how each group of society organize and perceive the physical objects, events, and experiences that make up their world. Cognitive anthropology gives attention how people make sense of reality according to their own indigenous cognitive faculty unlike the anthropologist point of view, known as emic vs. etic theoretical approach. Cognitive anthropology speculates that each culture organizes and understands events material life and ideas to its own standard. Hence, the primary objective of cognitive anthropology is reliably characterizing the underlying logical systems of thought of other people according to criteria, which can be discovered and replicated through analysis (Robertson & Beasley, 2011; Class lecture handout).
Table of Contents
- Introduction: What Is Cognitive Anthropology?
- Association With Other Disciplines
- Developmental Phases
- Ethnoscience
- Middle Period (1960s-1970s)
- Third Period (1980s-Present)
- The Scope Of Cognitive Anthropology
- Contributors
- Points Of Reaction
- Criticism to Ethnoscience
- Theoretical Adjustment and Methodological Shifts
- Achievements
- Contemporary Trends And Relevance
- Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to redefine cognitive anthropology, exploring its evolution and contemporary relevance. It examines the discipline's interaction with other fields, its developmental phases, and its key methodologies and theoretical shifts. The paper also investigates the scope of cognitive anthropology and its current trends.
- The definition and scope of cognitive anthropology.
- The relationship between cognitive anthropology and other disciplines.
- The developmental phases of cognitive anthropology and its methodological shifts.
- Key theoretical frameworks within cognitive anthropology (e.g., Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, schema theory, consensus theory).
- The contemporary relevance and applications of cognitive anthropology.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: What is cognitive anthropology?: This introductory chapter defines cognitive anthropology as the study of the interaction between human thought and culture, focusing on how different societies organize and perceive their world. It highlights the emic vs. etic approach, emphasizing the importance of understanding a culture's perspective from within. The chapter establishes the primary objective of reliably characterizing the underlying logical systems of thought of other cultures.
Association with other disciplines: This section details the interdisciplinary nature of cognitive anthropology, showing its connections with psychology, linguistics, and other cognitive sciences. It explains how cognitive anthropology has adopted theoretical elements and methodological techniques from these related fields, enriching its approach and expanding its analytical tools. The chapter emphasizes the synergistic relationship between these disciplines and cognitive anthropology.
Developmental phases: This chapter outlines the three major developmental phases of cognitive anthropology. The first, ethnoscience, focused on methodological approaches like emic/etic and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, exploring the relationship between language and thought. The second phase saw advancements in componential analysis and folk taxonomies. The third, beginning in the 1980s, introduced schema theory and consensus theory, focusing on mental representations and shared cultural knowledge. The chapter illustrates how each phase built upon previous ones, leading to the discipline's current state.
The Scope of cognitive anthropology: This chapter explores the wide range of applications of cognitive anthropology, illustrating its use in investigating various cultural phenomena. It examines how cognitive anthropology has been applied to understand diverse topics such as color categorization, plant classification (ethnobotany), and the conceptualization of diseases (ethnomedicine). The chapter showcases the versatility and breadth of cognitive anthropology’s research methods and analytical tools.
Keywords
Cognitive anthropology, emic/etic, Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, ethnoscience, componential analysis, folk taxonomies, schema theory, consensus theory, cultural models, mental representation, cross-cultural comparison, indigenous knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Cognitive Anthropology
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of cognitive anthropology, including its definition, historical development, key themes, methodologies, and contemporary relevance. It serves as a preview, offering a structured and professional analysis of the subject for academic use.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The table of contents covers a range of topics, starting with an introduction to cognitive anthropology and its association with other disciplines. It then delves into the developmental phases of the field (including ethnoscience), examines its scope and significant contributors, addresses points of reaction and criticisms, highlights theoretical adjustments and methodological shifts, showcases achievements, explores contemporary trends and relevance, and concludes with a summary.
What are the main objectives and key themes explored in this preview?
The primary objective is to redefine cognitive anthropology, exploring its evolution and contemporary significance. Key themes include its interaction with other fields, its developmental phases and methodological shifts, its scope, and its current trends. Specific theoretical frameworks like the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, schema theory, and consensus theory are also examined.
What are the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each section. The introduction defines cognitive anthropology and its core methodologies. The section on associations with other disciplines details its interdisciplinary nature and connections with related fields. The chapter on developmental phases outlines the three main periods of cognitive anthropology and their respective methodological focuses. Finally, the chapter on scope showcases the broad applications of cognitive anthropology across diverse cultural phenomena.
What are the key developmental phases of cognitive anthropology?
The preview outlines three major phases: Ethnoscience (early period focused on emic/etic perspectives and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis); a middle period (1960s-1970s) with advancements in componential analysis and folk taxonomies; and a third period (1980s-present) incorporating schema theory and consensus theory, emphasizing mental representations and shared cultural knowledge.
What are the key methodologies and theoretical frameworks discussed?
Key methodologies include emic/etic approaches, componential analysis, and cross-cultural comparison. Important theoretical frameworks include the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, schema theory, and consensus theory. The document also highlights the use of folk taxonomies and the study of cultural models in understanding cognitive processes.
What is the scope of cognitive anthropology, and how is it applied?
Cognitive anthropology has a wide scope, encompassing the study of various cultural phenomena. Applications include investigating color categorization, plant classification (ethnobotany), and the conceptualization of diseases (ethnomedicine). It uses diverse research methods and analytical tools to understand how people in different cultures organize and perceive their world.
What are the keywords associated with this preview?
Key terms include cognitive anthropology, emic/etic, Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, ethnoscience, componential analysis, folk taxonomies, schema theory, consensus theory, cultural models, mental representation, cross-cultural comparison, and indigenous knowledge.
For whom is this document intended?
This document is intended for academic use, supporting the analysis of themes in cognitive anthropology in a structured and professional manner. The information is presented for researchers and students interested in this field.
- Quote paper
- Dessalegn Oulte (Author), 2011, Cognitive Anthropology: Its Evolution and Contemporary Relevance, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/169596
