Nacirema - Body Ritual in Anthropology - 757 Words

Anthropology Paper - Module 1 In 1956 a professor from the University of Michigan, Horace Miner, wrote an article in The American Anthropologist that has become a mainstay of learning for anthropology students. Miner published the article to show a fictional exotic society called â€Å"Body Ritual among the Nacirema† as an example of how one’s own limited perspective might affect the perception of a foreign culture (Miner, 1956, p. 503). The article uses subtle humor to make the reader more comfortable in examining cultural behaviors, physical appearance, and health as the reader soon discovers that the actual society being examined is the American society. To the reader, the article begins to sound very familiar after each paragraph is†¦show more content†¦For Miner, he was writing from his years of personal observation of American homes, but often the anthropologist is not already a member of the community to be studied and must develop a rapport within a community. This relationship must be created without being deceptive and creating a negative impression so that members of the community will act naturally and not suppress their habitual or instinctive reaction to life issues (Kawulich, 2005). This method collects data not only from personal observation but also includes interviews, natural conversations, checklists, and surveys. The effective use of this method includes having a nonjudgmental attitude, being aware of culture shock tendencies, wanting to learn more about others, and practicing good listening skills (Kawulich, 2005). When the anthropologist properly explores the organized routines and ritualistic behaviors of the group, they become becomes a part of the community and reports the information about how the group is operating from a holistic understanding of the viewed events. Anthropologists also have various theories to help support and direct a study. One such theory attributed to Alfred Radcliffe Brown of Great Britain is known as structural functionalism (Clure, 2011). The primary focus of structural functionalism theory is social structure rather than the biological relations of individuals in a culture. The social construction and levels of this theoryShow MoreRelatedAnthropology Analysis of Body Ritual Among the Nacirema Essay996 Words   |  4 Pagesin writing this article was not to show the â€Å"Nacirema† as an example of how extreme human behavior can become, but how an outside perspective can affect your perception of an alien culture. If one were to look at the â€Å"Nacirema’s† cultural behaviors regarding physical appearance and health without any insight or knowledge of the specific beliefs or values of that culture, they might seem bizarre and even incomprehensible. By showing behaviors and â€Å"rituals† performed by this unknown tribe, Miner allowedRead MoreNacirema1309 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Horace Miner writes about the Nacirema, a culture steeped in magic and superstition. Their ways of life are portrayed as uncivilized and barbaric. The Nacirema perform rituals and rites that are strange to us here in the civilized world. The description and portrayal of this tribe make it very hard for the reader to connect or even begin to understand such a strange people. Miner starts of the article creating an atmosphere of wonderment; â€Å"if all of the logically possible combinations of behaviorRead MoreAnalysis Of The Article Body Ritual Among The Veldt By Horace Miner1317 Words   |  6 PagesThe term Anthropology refers to the study of mankind as a whole. In the article â€Å"Body Ritual among the Nacirema† by Horace Miner, the introduction of a new cultural perspective crosses the boundaries of today’s societal norms. Horace Miner is mainly known for his studie s in mankind, and as an anthropologist he must take into consideration, without preconceived opinions the variety of unique cultures within the human race. The Nacirema is a group living in North America whose culture, through theRead MoreEssay on Truth Exposed in Body Rituals among the Nacirema887 Words   |  4 PagesTruth Exposed in Body Rituals among the Nacirema â€Å"Body Rituals among the Nacirema† is a document written by Mr. Horace Miner. Miner was a graduate of the University of Chicago, with a degree in anthropology. Throughout his life, Miner was dedicated to his studies ranging in anthropology to sociology. He was very interested in the study of anthropology, but Miner disagreed with the way that other cultures were represented. He thought American anthropologists believed that the AmericanRead MoreBody Rituals Among the Nacirema1097 Words   |  5 PagesBody Rituals Among the Nacirema Abstract This study examines Horace Miner’s essay â€Å"Body Rituals Among the Nacirema. While using the participant observation approach, he gives us a new perspective on the daily behaviors within this group of people. Exploring ethnocentrism and how we view cultures outside of our own. Horace Miner was a professor for the University of Michigan. He sought out to teach young people the importance of cultural anthropology. (Horace Mitchell Miner - Wikipedia, theRead MoreEssay about Two Views on Culture and Anthropology484 Words   |  2 PagesTwo Views on Culture and Anthropology The take on culture and anthropology can be dissected in many different ways. Horace M. Miner takes a look at his culture through a view of which an anthropologist from another culture would look at it. While Roy Wagner takes the anthropologist view and dissects it. Both writers use find culture through anthropology, while Miner concludes with a result in Body Ritual Among the Nacirema, Wagner dissects the process of which is being used, The IdeaRead MoreCultural Relativism And Moral Relativism1620 Words   |  7 Pagesprinciples within not only the structure but also the functioning of cultures. Within his seminal article, which goes by the title, Body Ritual among the Nacirema, the author, Miner (1956) defines the aspects that are common within the â€Å"Nacirema† from what can be considered as the etic perspective, which enables the reader to slowly but surely get to know that the Nacirema are actually Americans. It should be noted that it is necessary to review the American culture from the etic perspective so as toRead MoreEtic And Emic Analysis On Suicide Terrorism1662 Words   |  7 Pagesperspective that you were born and raised in can be challenging. In the article named Body Ritual Among the Nacirema, Miner (1956) illustrates details of the â€Å"Nacirema† culture from an etic viewpoint. Miner (1956) uses a few examples to explain body rituals, which the reader finally understands to be talking to the doctor and going to the hospital and dentist. The reader eventually figures out that â€Å"Nacirema† culture is indeed the American culture. This article is very helpful in understandingRead MoreEssay about Witchcraft, Magic and Rationality2265 Words   |  10 PagesWitchcraft, Magic and Rationality Social Anthropology seeks to gauge an understanding of cultures and practices whether they are foreign or native. This is achieved through the studying of language, education, customs, marriage, kinship, hierarchy and of course belief and value systems. Rationality is a key concept in this process as it affects the anthropologist’s interpretation of the studied group’s way of life: what s/he deems as rational or plausible practice. Witchcraft and magic poseRead MoreAnthropology1092 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Anthropology 1120 Assignment 1: Critical Reading Exercise Value: 10% of final grade DUE DATE: Section A: MONDAY OCTOBER 21 in your tutorial Section B: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23 in your tutorial You must also upload your assignment to Turnitin via the course Moodle website by the beginning of the lecture on the due date. (more instructions will be provided in tutorials) How does it work? You must write a 3-4 page critical summary of 1 (one) of the following required reading articles from