Cultural anthropology

Cultural anthropology

Of or pertaining to the branch of anthropology that examines culture as a scientifically meaningful concept.

Industry: Anthropology

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Cultural anthropology

historic period

Anthropology; Cultural anthropology

Refers to the period following the first arrival of Europeans.

half-life

Anthropology; Cultural anthropology

The time taken for half the quantity of a radioactive isotope in a sample to decay (see also radioactive decay).

tactile pads

Anthropology; Cultural anthropology

The tips of the fingers and toes of primates; area richly endowed by tactile nerve endings sensitive to touch.

hemochorial placenta

Anthropology; Cultural anthropology

The type of placenta found in most primates in which materials pass between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams through a single vessel wall.

cultural evolution

Anthropology; Cultural anthropology

The theory that societal change can be understood by analogy with the processes underlying the biological evolution of species.

structural functionalism

Anthropology; Cultural anthropology

The theory that the central function of the various aspects of a society is to maintain the social structure--the society's pattern of social relations and institutions.

plate tectonics

Anthropology; Cultural anthropology

The theory that the surface of the earth is divided into a number of plates that move in relationship to each other. Some of these plates carry the continents.