Definition of Anthropology:

Anthropology is basically the study of man. The word “anthropology” is a combination of

two words: “ anthropo” means men and “logy” means study. Thus it is the study of man in
his activities in relation to society. Anthropology also can be defined as the study of science
of learned human behaviour or the study of human culture.
According to the above definitions, we see that anthropology falls into two main branches
physical anthropology and cultural anthropology.
physical anthropology: Physical anthropology is concerned with the study of man as a
physical being. It deals with human genetic the origin of man and his evolution, the different
types, or races. It deals with the problems of physical change induced varying environments.
This branch of anthropology views mans only as a physical being. It is based on natural
science and is concerned with the physical and biological aspects of man.
The study of physical anthropology is also related to the fields of sociology, anatomy,
physiology, biology, geology, medicine and public health.
cultural anthropology:
the second main branch of anthropology is cultural anthropology. It is the study of human
culture or the study of the works of main, meaning all the things men do and make. It
includes pre-historic cultures, known as archaeology. The analytical study of human societies
is called enthnology, social anthropology, or socio-cultural anthropology.
The study of human languages is known as linguistic, or linguistic anthropology. The study of
ancient beliefs customs or traditions is called folklore.
Definition of Culture
Culture is defined as all learned behavior which is socially acquired, that is, the material and
non-material traits which are passed on from one generation to another. Culture is
everything that is learned or transmitted behavior. It is distinguishing men from animals.
Culture is the more or less integrated systems of ideas, feelings and values, and their
associated patterns of learned behavior and products that characterize a particular society.
In other words, culture is everything with which an individual is concerned and involved in
society.
Thus culture includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, customs and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.
Culture is an integrated system of beliefs, of values, of customs and of institutions which
express the beliefs, values, customs which bind a society together and give it a sense of
identity, dignity, security and continuity.
Culture can also be explained as the total behavior of man. Culture exhibits itself in habits,
preference, ideas languages, music, and art. People thoughts, beliefs, practices, lifestyle and
actions are affected by their culture.
Characteristics of Culture: over the years several anthropologies, from their field experience
have defined the characteristics of culture as follows:
Culture is patterned: it is a way of life embracing a total design for living.
Culture is learned: it is learned in the normal courses of life, and hence makes sense to
those immersed in it.
Culture is integrated: it is integrated around its world view and value system
Culture is ideas: it is what you have to know in order to behave in a manner acceptable to
the people who live that way.
Culture is multi- individual, or of a group of people. It means a group of people have a
similar culture
Culture is complex and therefore it has to be studied for proper understanding
Culture is always changing and no culture is always permanent. Therefore, each culture in
its given time has to be studied.
CULTURE: LEARNED BEHAVIOR
Culture exercises a profound influence on human behavior. Culture is not genetically
inherited but acquired by man as a member of society. Culture is acquired after birth
through association with other members of society through learning. This process is called
enculturation. Learning comes by living with other members of that culture through
education, deliberated imitation, observation and unconscious absorption. Every member of
society goes through a process of enculturation through which a person acquires both the
good and bad characteristics of that society. This acquired learning, and its behavior, is
changeable. Unlike genetic traits, cultural traits are acquired after birth.
Culture’s Four Main Factors:
Worldview – one’s ideology, beliefs, feelings; the understanding of God and reality.
Values – One’s value of good and evil;value of life, of selfhood and freedom
Society- Social systems, family, community, the educational systems, law and order
Customs- One’s behaviour, traditions, habits, actions, and lifestyle.
Different categories of culture:
Technology- tools techniques and skills which produce objective change, for example,
transport devices and equipment
Economic Organization- system of exchanging good, for example, family, and community
Social organization- relationships to society, for example, family and community
Political Organizations- systems of government, authority and leadership
Ideology- systems of belief, religious ritual, magic and witchcraft
Art- aesthetic expression, music, drama, dance, visual arts.
Language- systems of spoken communication
Difference Functions of Culture:
Culture serves to adapt man to his natural environment
Culture serves to adapt the individual to his fellow man
Culture serves to adapt man to the world of the mind and to the supernatural world
Thus, culture is adaptive, and it helps human beings survive and reproduce
Applied Anthropology:
The practical application of anthropological concept, discoveries and techniques to solves
human problems called applied anthropology. Applied anthropology is the application of the
findings of the study of anthropology through development projects, through social
development and missionary work. It selects and uses the relevant from anthropological
research for dealing with the economic, social and political problems arising from the
between primitive and civilized groups in a country.
Missionary anthropology: Missionary anthropology is the study of relevant anthropology
findings and relates them to the context of mission work on the field. It involves both the
study of culture in general cultural anthropology as well as the study a particular people
group(ethnology). The study of missionary anthropology takes these two things and applies
the missionary work. Therefore, such a study includes some basic anthropology concepts
and some ethnographic in techniques which are related to field surve and research. the field
missionary must know how to apply anthropological principle and concept to his field work,
which is the process of studying missionary anthropology.
Scope and Relevance of Anthropology for Missionaries:
Anthropology offers a broad perspective which encompasses the past, present and future of human
life and activity. It concerns itself with the whole of the human condition. Most people consider
anthropology to be a study of primitive peoples, but as we have already seen it is more than that.
Because of its broad perspective, the study of anthropology can greatly help missionaries to
effectively communicate the gospel in the context of different culture. The study of culture is
particularly relevant for the kind of cross-cultural missionary situations in India. The following are
some of the benefits in studying anthropology.

FIRST, Anthropological insight helps the missionary understand the reasons for other people
behaviours:

All people are not the same. They differ in character and in behaviour. For example, Tamilians differ
greatly from Rajasthanis. There are significant differences among tribals. When we study the culture
and customs of people we will be able to better understand their behaviour, why they do what they
do. This is because behaviour is based on peoples assumptions and ways of valuing things.
Understanding what underlies behaviour can greatly help missionaries to understand the people
they work among, and to more effectively communicate the gospel to them.
Luzbetak point out, costly mistakes are being made by missionaries because the culturally defined
behaviour of the people to be assisted is not sufficiently understood and taken into account.
Sometimes the missionary may have good will and honest intensions but still if he fails in his actions
due to ignorance of the local culture the people will find it difficult to understand his good will and
honest intentions. Therefore, the missionary must understand the underlying factors which influence
the behaviour of the people. Such anthropology understanding of culture helps us to see and
comprehend more clearly not only the reasons for other behaviour but also the bases of our own.