The Spheres of Anthropology

(1) The science of anthropology is divided into two major disciplines, physical anthropology and cultural anthropology. Each of these is basically an independent science, though specialists in one field frequently consult and cooperate with scholars in the other. Physical anthropology is generally classified as a natural science, while cultural anthropology is considered a social science.

(2) Physical anthropology is concerned with the biological aspects of human beings, including their physical variations. In trying to learn about human origins and evolution, physical anthropologists often study the fossils of earlier humans and related humanlike forms. Physical anthropologists rely on observations and measurements of various physical traits in living humans and animals as well as in fossils. An important tool is the comparative analysis of DNA and other genetic codes, both between different populations of humans and between humans and other animals, especially primates. (Primates are an order of mammals that includes human beings as well as apes and monkeys.)

(3) Cultural anthropology deals primarily with the development of human societies in the world. It is a study of group behavior, the origins of religion, social customs and conventions, technical developments, and family relationships. In describing and analyzing the diverse peoples of the world, cultural anthropologists use the methods, concepts, and data of several subfields and related disciplines. Ethnography involves compiling a descriptive study of a particular human society, based mainly on fieldwork. A major subfield of cultural anthropology is linguistics, the study of the history and structure of language. Cultural anthropologists also often study a group’s folklore by collecting its oral history. Like physical anthropologists, cultural anthropologists also rely on archaeology in studying the human past.

(4) Because anthropology is such a wide-ranging discipline, investigating as it does every facet of all human societies, it must draw upon research done in many other disciplines to form its conclusions. Among these disciplines are history, geography, geology, biology, anatomy, genetics, economics, psychology, and sociology, along with the highly specialized tasks of linguistics and archaeology already mentioned.

(Britannica Student Encyclopedia Library)

Определите, является ли утверждение:

Cultural anthropology is mainly based on archeological data in studying the human past.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

28. Определите, является ли утверждение:

Both physical and cultural anthropology are considered to be natural sciences.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

29. Определите, является ли утверждение:

Physical anthropology also analyzes the difference between humans and apes.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

30. Определите, является ли утверждение:

The science of anthropology is very essential for the development of medicine.

a) истинным

b) ложным

c) в тексте нет информации

31. Укажите, какой части текста (1, 2, 3, 4) соответствует следующая информация:

The work of anthropologist presupposes everyday observations and complete involvement into the life of human society.

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) 4

32. Укажите, какой части текста соответствует следующая информация:

The two branches of anthropology are not the same from the scientific point of view.

a) 2

b) 1

c) 4

d) 3

33. Ответьте на вопрос:

Why is physical anthropology considered to be a natural science and cultural anthropology to be a social science?

a) The first one analyses the fossils while the second one dwells on the structure of language.

b) The former studies mainly human origin and evolution while the latter deals with human behavior, religion, customs and family relationship.

c) Both sciences rely on archeology in studying the past of human society.

d) The main method of physical anthropology is the descriptive analysis and cultural anthropology uses comparative analysis.

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