Notes on the Application of Anthropology

Abstract

From January, 1950 until August, 1951, the writer had the opportunity to work as an applied anthropologist on several public welfare programs in Central America. In the course of the work a number of problems arose which do not seem to have received adequate attention in the literature. While anthropologists are usually called in to deal with subject societies, the main problems to be discussed here deal with issues arising from the fact of an anthropologist working with a specific sponsoring organization. This paper will consist of a description of certain of these problems and conclude with a discussion of generalities which arise from the material.