Anthropological Perspective of the Self

• What are the three main influences on the anthropological self according to Kilroy J. Oldster?


  Biological endowments, culture, and personal history
• How does culture influence the anthropological self?

  Culture influences the self through ideology, events, and transmitted practices
• What is the definition of Anthropology?


  Anthropology is the study of humans, encompassing cultural and biological processes that shape human experience
• How does Anthropology differ from other academic fields?

  Anthropology transcends the boundaries of sciences and humanities, addressing both past and present human experiences
• What does Clifford Geertz suggest about the nature of culture?


  Culture should be viewed as control mechanisms for governing behavior rather than just concrete behavior patterns
• What are the two components of the interplay of “nature” and “nurture” in the context of self and identity?


  Nature refers to genetic inheritance, while nurture refers to sociocultural environment
• How do anthropologists define culture according to Edward Tylor?


  Culture is a complex whole that includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and capabilities acquired by individuals in society
• What is the significance of language in the context of culture?


  Language is a set of arbitrary symbols used for communication, encompassing both verbal and non-verbal forms
• How do humans create meanings according to Clifford Geertz?


  Humans create meanings through inherited conceptions and expressions in symbolic forms
• What is ethnic identity?


  Ethnic identity is the consciousness of sharing certain characteristics within a group, such as language and culture
• How do egocentric and sociocentric views of the self differ?


  Egocentric views see the self as autonomous, while sociocentric views see the self as dependent on social contexts
• What is the identity toolbox?


  The identity toolbox refers to the features of a person's identity that they choose to emphasize in constructing a social self
• What are the two types of identity discussed in the study material?

  • Independent identity: defined by individual traits and goals
  • Interdependent identity: defined by connections with others, emphasizing social relationships
• What are the three phases of Arnold van Gennep's rite of passage?

  1. Separation: detaching from former identity
  2. Liminal: being in transition between identities
  3. Incorporation: integrating changes into a new identity through rituals
• What does Tajfel's definition of ethnic identity emphasize?

  Ethnic identity emphasizes knowledge of membership in a social group and the personal meaning associated with that membership
• How does the concept of identity differ in individualistic versus collectivist societies?

  Individualistic societies emphasize "I" identity, while collectivist societies emphasize "we" identity
• What is the role of personal naming in social identity?

  Personal naming establishes a child's birthright and social identity across cultures
• How is identity conceptualized according to the study material?

  Identity is not inborn; it is continuously acquired throughout life