Antrhopology and Its Groups

Anthropology is the study of people. (Gusterson) This can be social, physical or culture and also be past, present and future. Anthropology is considered a social science and is divided into several sub groups. Sociocultural, physical, archeological and linguistically are the four many groups with many offsets. Anthropology is considered a metaphorical science or social science. (Moore) Like many comparative science conjecture comes first and proof second.

Sociocultural anthropologist studies the communal patterns and conducts, with definite consideration to how people live in certain areas and how they govern and organize themselves. (Jinks) A mark of sociocultural anthropology is its concern with similarities and differences, both within and among different societies. It also pays close attention to race, sexual orientation, class, gender and nationality. Research in sociocultural anthropology is distinguished by its emphasis on participant observation. (Jinks) That is placing the researcher into the group being studied for prolonged periods of time. This enables them to gain firsthand knowledge of how a society works. (Gusterson)

Physical anthropologists try to understand how humans adapt to different surroundings. (Gusterson) The primary job in physical anthropology is the study of fossils. This helps to understand evolution. Also, how physical and cultural process work together in development and behavior. Physical anthropologists study other primates and understand the process of adaption. (Jinks) Forensic anthropology is one branch of physical anthropology. (Gusterson) Physical anthropology is the trying to understand the human evolutionary past and future. (Moore)

Archeologist study people and cultures of the past in order to better understand modern society. (Moore)This is done through the study of material remains and artifacts of past environments. Past landscapes and architecture are analyzed to help in their findings. (Gusterson)Material evidence like pottery, stone tools, animal bones, and remains of structures are examined within theoretical paradigms to address topics as the formation of social groupings ideologies and subsistence patterns along with the interaction with the environment. (Gusterson) The study of the past cultures can affect the present and future.

Linguistic anthropology is the comparative study of ways in which language reflects and influences society. (Jinks) Linguistic anthropology examines the ways in which language practices define patterns of communication, formulate categories of social identity and group membership. (Moore) Linguistic anthropology shares with anthropology a concern to understand power and social change.

Anthropology is a varied social science with for main groups. (Gusterson) The first group is sociocultural anthropology; it is the study of societies.