Foundations of Biological Anthropology

Physical anthropology focuses on the biological aspects of humanity, including human evolution and variation.

Primatology specifically focuses on nonhuman primates and their natural behaviors, not plants, celestial bodies, or human behavior.

The correct answer defines 'race' as a biological grouping based on shared physical traits, distinct from the incorrect answers that focus on other meanings or misinterpretations of the term.

Genetics is the branch of biology that involves the study of inherited physical traits passed down from one generation to the next.

Population biology focuses on the interactions between population characteristics and the environment, rather than individual physical traits, animal behavior in captivity, or geological formations.

Epidemiology specifically focuses on the patterns and causes of health and disease conditions in defined populations.

Archaeology specifically deals with the study of past human cultures through analyzing material remains, not astronomy, sociology, or genetics.

An artifact is a material remain that has been created or altered by humans, commonly found by archaeologists during excavations. It can include tools, pottery, weapons, and other objects used in ancient civilizations.

Features in archaeology refer to structures or remains that are human-made or altered and are stationary, such as house foundations or post holes. They provide valuable insights into past human activities and behaviors.

Ecofacts refer to physical remains found at archaeological sites that were utilized by humans but were not intentionally modified by them. These could include natural items like seeds and bones that provide insight into past human behaviors and environments.

Cultural resource management focuses on preserving archaeological sites and cultural heritage before development projects. It is a proactive approach to protect important cultural resources.

Anthropological linguistics involves the study of human communication in relation to the culture and society in which it occurs, focusing on understanding language as a cultural phenomenon.

Historical linguistics is the study of how languages change over time, including their origins, development, and the factors that influence their evolution.

Descriptive linguistics specifically focuses on the analysis of the structure of languages without judgment or comparison to other languages.

Ethnolinguistics is a field of study that focuses on how language and culture are interconnected, examining how language influences culture and vice versa.

Sociolinguistics specifically focuses on the relationship between language and society, rather than ancient languages, programming languages, or animal communication.

Ethnography is a research method used in anthropology to study and describe cultures through direct observation and interaction with the people being studied.

Ethnology specifically focuses on the examination of cultural practices and customs of various human societies.

Cultural anthropology specifically focuses on understanding cultural similarities and differences in various forms, rather than plants, animals, ancient civilizations, or chemical reactions.

Paleopathology specifically focuses on examining evidence of disease in ancient human remains to better understand health and illness in prehistoric populations.

Nutritional anthropology focuses on how social and cultural factors impact human nutrition, rather than ancient food preservation techniques, modern farming practices, or astronomy.

Holism is a perspective in anthropology that emphasizes the interconnectedness and interrelatedness of all parts within a cultural system, providing a comprehensive understanding of the culture as a whole rather than focusing on individual components.

Cultural relativism emphasizes understanding cultural traits within their own context, without imposing one's own values or standards onto them. It does not suggest superiority or uniformity of cultures.

The emic approach in ethnography emphasizes understanding and interpreting phenomena from the perspective of the culture being studied, rather than imposing external frameworks or theories.

The etic approach in ethnography involves using the observer's own cultural categories and concepts to understand and describe another culture.

A symbol is a visual or verbal representation that represents something else, conveying meaning beyond its literal definition.

A civilization is a complex human society characterized by urban development, social stratification, symbolic communication forms, and a perceived separation from and domination over the natural environment. It is not simply a group of individuals or tribes, but a structured society with distinct features.