Culture is important in anthropological research because anthropology is the study of human kind and you have to study the different cultures in order to learn about different races and how they live. Culture greatly applies to anthropological research because an anthropologists need to know the traits, lifestyles, and learning methods of the culture they are studying. I learn from my culture everyday whether it’s from going to church or listening to my grandmother teach me how to cook our holiday dinner. Culture is all around us. 2. Balanced reciprocity- is a direct exchange where the two parties involved seek to arrive at a mutually acceptable price or exchange for goods or services.
Generalized reciprocity- an exchange where a person gives a good or a service to someone else but does not receive anything back at that time. There is the expectation that in the future should the person receiving the good or service has something that it will be given at a later time.
Negative reciprocity- when one person in an exchange tries to get something for nothing for less than it’s recognized worth.
Generalized, balanced, and negative reciprocity is important in anthropological research because reciprocity is the most common mode of exchange between tribal societies. Some anthropologists believe there is a basic human tendency to reciprocate along lines of morality.
I use reciprocity in my life when I offer assistance to individuals that I morally support. 3. Extended family- a composite family composed of other relatives besides the nuclear families. Extended families can be constructed across generations by including parent's or children's families or extended laterally by including multiple wives or sibling's families.
Nuclear family- a woman, husband, and dependent children.
Extended family vs. nuclear family is important in anthropological research because it allows anthropologist to compare the different types of families. It also helps anthropologist distinguish between cultures when doing their research because some families in different cultures are nuclear and some are extended. Anthropologist can also figure out the pros and cons of each family by comparing them. My family would be considered a