17. Anthropology

See also 255. MANKIND ; 341. RACE

cultural anthropology

a specialty that studies the creative achievements of societies, especially those passed on through later generations. Also called culturology .

dendranthropology

the theory and work based on the theory that trees were involved in the origin of man. — dendranthropologic, dendranthropological, adj .

ethnocentricity

ethnocentrism. — ethnocentric, adj .

ethnocentrism

the belief in the superiority of one’s own group or culture. Also ethnocentricity . — ethnocentric, adj .

ethnodicy Rare .

the branch of ethnology that studies comparative legal systems.

ethnogeny

the study of the origin of distinctive groups or tribes. — ethnogenist, n . — ethnogenic, adj .

ethnography

the branch of anthropology that studies and describes the individual cultures of mankind. — ethnographer, n . — ethnographic, ethnographical, adj .

ethnology

the study, often comparative, of the origins and development of the races of mankind. — ethnologist, n . — ethnologic, ethnological, adj .

ethography

the description of moral and ethical systems. — ethnographer, n . — ethnographic, ethnographical, adj .

hybridism, hybridity

the blending of diverse cultures or traditions.

isthmian

a person who is a native or inhabitant of an isthmus. — isthmian, adj .

lacustrian

a lake-dweller.

Leiotrichi

people with smooth hair; a division of mankind characterized by people with such hair. Cf. Ulotrichi . — Leiotrichan, adj .

matrilocality

the state or custom of residing with the family or tribe of the wife, as in certain primitive societies. Cf. patrilocality . — matrilocal, adj .

patrilocality

the state or custom of residing with the family or tribe of the husband, as in certain primitive societies. Cf. matrilocality . — patrilocal, adj .

phratry

1. a subdivision of an ancient Greek tribe or phyle.

2. a clan or other unit of a primitive tribe.

physical anthropology

the branch of anthropology that studies, describes, and interprets the evolutionary changes in man’s bodily structure and the classification of modern races. Cf. cultural anthropology . Also called somatology

social anthropology

the branch of anthropology that studies human societies, emphasizing interpersonal and intergroup relations.

somatology

physical anthropology.

synecdochism

the belief that a part of a person or object can act in place of the whole and thus that anything done to the part will equally affect the whole.

Ulotrichi

people with woolly, tightly curled, or crisp hair; a division of mankind characterized by people with such hair. — Ulotrichous, adj.