PPT: Introduction to Anthropology | Anthropology Optional for UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


Anthropology: Meaning, 
Scope & Development
Page 2


Anthropology: Meaning, 
Scope & Development
Meaning
Study of humans, biology, culture, evolution.
Explores origins, beliefs, social customs.
From Greek "anthropos" (human), "logus" (science).
Aristotle first used term for human study.
Covers biology, social structures, cultural practices.
Includes tool use, advanced communication.
Definitions of Anthropology:
Oxford: Studies societies, human evolution.
Kroeber: Focuses on group behavior, production.
Page 3


Anthropology: Meaning, 
Scope & Development
Meaning
Study of humans, biology, culture, evolution.
Explores origins, beliefs, social customs.
From Greek "anthropos" (human), "logus" (science).
Aristotle first used term for human study.
Covers biology, social structures, cultural practices.
Includes tool use, advanced communication.
Definitions of Anthropology:
Oxford: Studies societies, human evolution.
Kroeber: Focuses on group behavior, production.
Scope
Branches of Anthropology
Divided into physical, 
cultural anthropology 
branches.
Subdivided into specialized 
fields, e.g., archaeology.
Physical Anthropology
Human biology, genetics, 
evolution.
Examines bodily traits, 
human-animal distinctions.
Cultural Anthropology
Customs, social structures, 
beliefs.
Studies religion, art, political 
systems.
Page 4


Anthropology: Meaning, 
Scope & Development
Meaning
Study of humans, biology, culture, evolution.
Explores origins, beliefs, social customs.
From Greek "anthropos" (human), "logus" (science).
Aristotle first used term for human study.
Covers biology, social structures, cultural practices.
Includes tool use, advanced communication.
Definitions of Anthropology:
Oxford: Studies societies, human evolution.
Kroeber: Focuses on group behavior, production.
Scope
Branches of Anthropology
Divided into physical, 
cultural anthropology 
branches.
Subdivided into specialized 
fields, e.g., archaeology.
Physical Anthropology
Human biology, genetics, 
evolution.
Examines bodily traits, 
human-animal distinctions.
Cultural Anthropology
Customs, social structures, 
beliefs.
Studies religion, art, political 
systems.
Physical Anthropology
Human Biology & Genetics
Studies human body, genetics, species status.
Manchip White: Focus on bodily appearance.
Physical Traits Analysis
Analyzes physical traits of human race.
Hoebel: Examines distinguishing human 
features.
Biological Perspective
Essentially human biology in anthropology.
Herskovits: Equates to human biological study.
Evolutionary Focus
Focuses on bodily features, evolutionary 
history.
Piddington: Concerned with physical 
characteristics.
Page 5


Anthropology: Meaning, 
Scope & Development
Meaning
Study of humans, biology, culture, evolution.
Explores origins, beliefs, social customs.
From Greek "anthropos" (human), "logus" (science).
Aristotle first used term for human study.
Covers biology, social structures, cultural practices.
Includes tool use, advanced communication.
Definitions of Anthropology:
Oxford: Studies societies, human evolution.
Kroeber: Focuses on group behavior, production.
Scope
Branches of Anthropology
Divided into physical, 
cultural anthropology 
branches.
Subdivided into specialized 
fields, e.g., archaeology.
Physical Anthropology
Human biology, genetics, 
evolution.
Examines bodily traits, 
human-animal distinctions.
Cultural Anthropology
Customs, social structures, 
beliefs.
Studies religion, art, political 
systems.
Physical Anthropology
Human Biology & Genetics
Studies human body, genetics, species status.
Manchip White: Focus on bodily appearance.
Physical Traits Analysis
Analyzes physical traits of human race.
Hoebel: Examines distinguishing human 
features.
Biological Perspective
Essentially human biology in anthropology.
Herskovits: Equates to human biological study.
Evolutionary Focus
Focuses on bodily features, evolutionary 
history.
Piddington: Concerned with physical 
characteristics.
Cultural Anthropology
Human Traditions
Studies human cultures, 
customs, social systems.
Hoebel: Devotes attention to 
mankind's traditions.
Social Learning
Learned through imitation, 
experience, not heredity.
Culture as social heritage, e.g., 
marriage rituals.
Social Organization
Covers social life, religion, 
economic organization.
S.C. Dube: Prioritizes social 
structure, religion.
Comparative Studies
Comparative study of societies, 
institutions.
M.N. Srinivas: Encompasses all 
human societies.