Social Anthropology Research Articles

Астрология как сакральное экологическое знание в тибетской буддийской традиции

Introduction. The identification of specific responses generated by religious traditions to present-day global challenges actualizes the rethinking of astrology as a traditional understanding of the world structure and influence of natural forces on man in Tibetan Buddhism. Goals. The study attempts an evaluation of astrology as a form of sacred knowledge in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition from the perspective of understanding its principles of ecology. Materials and methods. To facilitate this, the work employs a systematic approach of cultural anthropology according to which sacred astrological knowledge is viewed as an integral element to the specified religious tradition. The paper focuses on The White Beryl: A Treatise on [Tibetan] Astrology by Desi Sangye Gyatso, as well as works by modern Tibetan astrologers. Results. Tibetan astrology arose from integrated Indian, Chinese and ancient Tibetan ideas about the influence of natural elements on human life, and is a required tool in Tibetan medicine. Those ideas are based on some esoteric premises of the Buddhist Kalachakra Tantra which articulates the relationship between external natural cycles and internal human energy ones, as well as suggests methods of restoring the latter’s balance. In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, sacred astrological knowledge is widely popular both in cult practices and non-religious activities. Astrologers draw prediction and natal charts, calculate favorable periods for rituals, healing practices, harvesting, weddings, funerals, etc. The three Lamrim-derived motives — to improve this lifetime, gain liberation from samsaric suffering, achieve enlightenment for the sake of universal well-being — may accordingly direct the intentions of Buddhists toward the use of sacred astrological knowledge to solve problematic situations, identify oneself, understand others, restore the balance of external and internal cycles. With due account of that followers of Tibetan Buddhism are basically oriented to altruism and rationalism, the paper presumes astrology can be considered a form of sacred knowledge instrumental in understanding (and implementing) principles of ecology. Restoration of balance in man-nature interaction through the rational use of astrological knowledge for the common good predetermines the sacredness of ecological knowledge in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

A step-by-step method for cultural annotation by LLMs.

Building on the growing body of research highlighting the capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) like Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT), this paper presents a structured pipeline for the annotation of cultural (big) data through such LLMs, offering a detailed methodology for leveraging GPT's computational abilities. Our approach provides researchers across various fields with a method for efficient and scalable analysis of cultural phenomena, showcasing the potential of LLMs in the empirical study of human cultures. LLMs proficiency in processing and interpreting complex data finds relevance in tasks such as annotating descriptions of non-industrial societies, measuring the importance of specific themes in stories, or evaluating psychological constructs in texts across societies or historical periods. These applications demonstrate the model's versatility in serving disciplines like cultural anthropology, cultural psychology, cultural history, and cultural sciences at large.

Exploring the Evolution of Educational Methods: Perspectives from Imaginative Culture and Human Nature

Education is a fundamental pillar in human development, and its evolution throughout history has been influenced by a variety of factors, including imaginative culture and human nature. In this study, we explore how educational methods have evolved in response to the interaction between these two aspects. We look at how human creativity, imagination, and adaptation have influenced the way we teach and learn, from early forms of knowledge transmission to more contemporary approaches focused on active student engagement and the development of practical skills. Our research is based on a comprehensive review of the academic literature in the fields of education, evolutionary psychology, cultural anthropology, and imagination studies. We explore how societies have used imagination as a tool to transmit knowledge and values, as well as to foster creativity and individual expression. We also examine how adaptive aspects of human nature, such as the ability to learn collaboratively and adapt to changing environments, have influenced the way educational methods are designed. Our results show a clear evolution in educational methods over time, from approaches focused on the one-way transmission of knowledge to more interactive and participatory models that encourage exploration and discovery. We identify common patterns in the way societies have used imagination and adaptation to promote learning and socialization and discuss the implications of these findings for contemporary education. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between imaginative culture, human nature, and education. It provides a solid foundation for the design of educational methods that harness the innate creativity and adaptability of human beings and offers guidance for educators and policymakers on how to promote meaningful and lasting learning in today's world.

Cross-Cultural Differences in Food Preferences and Consumption Patterns

Purpose: This study sought to explore cross- cultural differences in food preferences and consumption patterns. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to cross- cultural differences in food preferences and consumption patterns. Preliminary empirical review revealed that cultural heritage profoundly influenced individuals' food preferences and consumption habits, with distinct culinary traditions and family influences shaping dietary behaviors within specific cultural contexts. Globalization and urbanization were found to impact food preferences, yet traditional dietary practices remained resilient. Additionally, socio-economic factors significantly influenced dietary behaviors, particularly in low-income communities. These findings emphasized the importance of recognizing cultural diversity and socio-economic disparities in promoting healthy eating behaviors and improving public health outcomes. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cultural Anthropology theory, Social Identity theory and Ecological Systems theory may be used to anchor future studies on cross- cultural differences in food preferences and consumption patterns. The study offered valuable recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy in the field of nutrition and public health. By identifying cultural influences on food preferences and consumption patterns, the study enriched theoretical frameworks such as cultural anthropology, social identity theory, and ecological systems theory. Its findings informed the development of culturally sensitive interventions and educational programs, empowering individuals to make healthier food choices while respecting cultural heritage. Additionally, the study's insights guided the formulation of evidence-based policies aimed at addressing diet-related health disparities and promoting food security and nutrition equity on a global scale.

Research on Analytical Model of Participation and Social Influence of She Sports Activities Based on Multi-source Data Fusion

The present research looks into the involvement and societal impact of women's sports activities by developing an analytical model based on multi-source data fusion. The She people, a nomadic farming tribe in southern China, have a rich cultural legacy, with sports playing an important part in community bonding and cultural expression. This study tries to explore the complex dynamics of sports engagement within the She community by combining multiple datasets from surveys, social media analysis, observational studies, and historical records. The analytical model constructed in this study examines the elements that influence sports participation among the She people, taking into account gender dynamics, resource availability, cultural norms, community support, and individual incentives. By combining data on community cohesion, gender dynamics, cultural preservation, and individual well-being, the model provides insights into the social impact of She sports activities. Further, this research examines the unequal impact of sports engagement on several demographic groups in the She community, providing a more nuanced understanding of how sports activities interface with larger social structures and inequities. The findings of this study contribute to the progress of knowledge in sports sociology and cultural anthropology, while also providing practical insights for developing inclusive and sustainable sports practices in the She community. As a result, increased sports participation and high-quality development were linked to stronger social bonds and community cohesion.

The Political Life of Research Ethics Committees And What It Means for Ethnographic Research

This review discusses three pieces of work, that is, a conference panel and two books, that deal with the role of research ethics committees (RECs) in regulating biomedical research and medical anthropological research. We summarise the papers and conversations of a panel we convened on this topic during the 2020 European Association for Social Anthropologists (EASA) conference. We review two relatively recent books which discuss the role of RECs in biomedical research: Adam Hedgecoe’s (2020) Trust in the System: Research Ethics Committees and the Regulation of Biomedical Research, and Salla Sariola and Bob Simpson’s (2019) Research as Development: Biomedical Research, Ethics, and Collaboration in Sri Lanka. Finally, we consider how the review that RECs outside academic institutions perform is inadequate for ethnographic research, including that involving prospective participants who may lack capacity to consent. We conclude that undertaking the research ethics review internally (i.e., under university RECs) would be a first step forward in reclaiming ethnographic research ethical conversations.

Moldavian diaspora in Belarus: population dynamics, resettlement and reasons for relocation

Moldavian diaspora in Belarus: population dynamics, resettlement and reasons for relocation

Finding modernity in England's past: Social anthropology and the remaking of social history in Britain, 1959–77*

British historians drew on anthropological exemplars to remake social history between 1959 and 1977. Eric Hobsbawm's ‘primitive rebels’, Peter Laslett's World We Have Lost, Keith Thomas’s studies of witchcraft, and E. P. Thompson's ‘moral economy’ were all inspired by contemporary social anthropology, and they transformed historians’ understanding of the past. Reconstructing this moment of cross-disciplinary research contributes to our understanding of broader changes in the mid-century human sciences. This was a moment of grand theorizing about ‘modernization’, capitalism, and industrialization. Social historians responded to these concerns by drawing analogies between the past and the ethnographic present. The result was a number of hugely influential studies of social change that posed new questions to those seeking to create abstract models of modernization out of the English past.

Understandings of Vulnerability and Social Determinants of Health in Forensic and Expert Social Anthropology: A Scoping Review

Forensic and expert social anthropology (FESA) is a branch of social anthropology that specialises in the provision of evidence to legal-administrative processes, which are overseen by courts and other legally empowered bodies, and which give regard to the social cultures of legally and administratively involved individuals and communities (LAIICs). Despite a preoccupation with political advocacy in the broader philosophy of social anthropology, FESA literature does not typically give regard to LAIIC vulnerability defined qualitatively in terms of social determinants of health, including physical, mental, and social well-being. This paper presents findings from a JBI/PRISMA-ScR scoping review of n=1,674 texts, identifying eight recurrent practice concerns in the relevant literature. Findings indicate that LAIIC vulnerability ranks only sixth among FESA practice concerns. This article serves as a study of FESA models of LAIIC vulnerability and social determinants of health and an unprecedented demonstration of scoping review methodology applied to social anthropological literature.

What Matters to Others: A High-Threshold Account of Joint Attention

If only implicitly, social anthropology has long incorporated joint attention as a research technique employed in what anthropologists call “the field”. This paper outlines the crucial role joint attention plays in anthropolgical fieldwork—specifically in Participant Observation—and advances the position that joint attention is a goal rather than a starting point of fieldwork practice. Exploring how anthropologists tentatively use attention as a methodological tool to understand other people’s lifeworlds, this paper draws parallels between Participant Observation and ordinary everyday interactions, thus teasing out a view of joint attention as a goal to be reached only by means of knowing what matters to others in the context of the lifeworld they inhabit.

The Interplay of Tradition and Modernity: A Case Study of Gender Roles in Georgian Society

The case study of gender roles in Georgian society offers valuable insights into the complexities of societal transformation. The interplay between tradition and modernity reflects the dynamic nature of cultural evolution and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Understanding the dynamics of gender roles in Georgia enhances cultural sensitivity. It acknowledges that gender roles are not universal and are deeply influenced by cultural practices, allowing for a more nuanced and context-specific approach to gender studies. Non-narrative content analysis of respondents’ interviews provides empirical grounding for theories and concepts related to gender roles. This empirical foundation strengthens the validity and reliability of the study's findings. The study can serve as a valuable reference for comparative analyses with other cultural contexts. By highlighting the unique features of gender dynamics in Georgia, it allows for cross-cultural comparisons that enrich our understanding of the diversity of gender experiences globally. The study contributes to the theoretical frameworks of cultural anthropology, and gender studies. It advances our understanding of how these fields can intersect and mutually inform each other, paving the way for further theoretical development. Insights gained from the research can inform practical interventions and policies aimed at challenging and reshaping gender norms in Georgia. By identifying specific linguistic and cultural mechanisms, the study offers tangible entry points for interventions promoting gender equity. The study adopts qualitative methodology to provide a comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences that contribute to the construction and reinforcement of gender roles in Georgia. In the cultural context of Georgia, we hypothesize that individuals' lived experiences and expressions of gender will reflect a negotiation between cultural expectations and evolving societal dynamics, contributing to a complex and dynamic understanding of gender roles in Georgia.

Трансформация предубеждения в неявные формы как индикатор его функций в межгрупповых отношениях

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective. </strong>The study is aimed to clarify the understanding of the functions of prejudice in intergroup relations. A comparison of approaches to explaining intergroup relations and an analysis of the transformation of prejudice into covert, subtle forms were applied in order to achieve the aim. <br><strong>Background. </strong>The plasticity of prejudice, its transformation into covert, subtle forms in response to equal rights movements and social inadmissibility, the inconsistencies in the prejudice reduction techniques effectiveness indicates that something fundamental about the nature of prejudice is being missed by researchers. The persistent negativity of prejudice suggests that one should look for this “missing” in the concept of functions. The functions of prejudice per se have not been a focus of research attention yet. <br><strong>Methodology. </strong>The rationale was based on functional analysis in psychology, sociology and social anthropology.<br><strong>Conclusions. </strong>The persistence, “inflexibility” of a negative attitude is an essential trait of prejudice, and not just an imperfection of its first definitions. It points to the functions that prejudice fulfills in intergroup relations, that is, it leads to a positive, a useful result for the system (society and its structure). Features of the transformation of prejudice into covert forms show that preserving the entitativity and the boundaries of the group (which is the unit of this system) in a “loose” egalitarian society seems to be prejudice function.</p>

Origins and Origins of Russian State Charity (X–XVI)

Charity, or «mercy» in the ancient Russian sources, is one of the functions of the state and society. Medieval Russia in the 10th−16th centuries provides good material for the study of the origins of this phenomenon in Russia. Articles on this topic
 are very rare, so the appearance of Z.A. Ismailova's new book on this problem «made» her material presentation in the form of scientific discussion, using the methodology and tools of socio-cultural anthropology and comparativism to reconsider
 the origins and forms of charity of princes and «society» of ancient and Moscow Russia by separate periods of their history.

Theologically Inspired and Supported Patriotism as a Component of Poland’s National Security. Concept of Research and its Social Application

The article presents a concept of research and its social application concerning the creation and modelling of theologically inspired and supported patriotic attitudes in the Polish historical and security-related context. It concerns patriotism which, primarily, refers to Poland’s national heritage, theology, Catholic social science and national responsibility; secondly, it is directed at a sovereign economic development locally and on the international arena; thirdly, it shapes pro-societal and pro-defence attitudes; fourthly, it takes into account contemporary challenges linked with the environment, demography, migrations and “temporal challenges”. The text is classified among the papers on conceptualization of research projects in the area of security studies, social policies and political science, account being taken of the contexts and problem references to theology, history and cultural anthropology.

Men of Letters: Perspectives on Multi-Sensory Environments in the Hall-McLuhan Correspondence, 1961–1977

Abstract This paper introduces critical elements in the substantial, albeit mostly unpublished, correspondence between cultural anthropologist Edward T. Hall and media theorist Marshall McLuhan related to artistic practice with emerging media technologies in the 1960s. It contextualizes their exchange within the broader theoretical discourses and artistic practices surrounding systems theory and media technology and highlights intersections between Hall and McLuhan’s theoretical frameworks related to concepts of indeterminism, systems theory, and cybernetics in technology-based, kinesthetic, multi-sensory mediated environments in the 1960s. It particularly focuses on overlapping conceptual approaches toward the interrelation between the individual, the sociocultural environment, and the emerging media-technological ecosystem.

Transformation of the Symbolic Space of the City of Halych in the Mid to Late 20th – Early 21st Century

The transformation of the symbolic space of the city of Halych from the second half of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century is investigated in the article. The work is based on the analysis of archival and historical documents, field materials collected by the author through the method of participant observation during the 2022–2023. The symbolic space term is used currently in various scientific studies: in cultural anthropology (O. Hrytsenko, H. Bondarenko), in semiotics (R. Barthes), in urban studies (E. Soja, R. Čepaitienė and others), in Ukrainian sociology (V. Sereda, O. Obukhova). The planning and architecture of the city, its landscape, toponymy, monuments as well as the elements of external design of the streets, squares and buildings are used together to create a symbolic space, where collective memory, identity and social dynamics of local communities are formed. In the 1930s, the places of worship have dominated in the urban space of Halych: the Greek-Catholic Church of Christmas (the 14th century), the Roman-Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Volodymyr’s Orthodox Church, the synagogue and the Karaite Kenesa, thus reflecting the ethnic and confessional structure of the population of the city. Part of the walls of Halych Castle is preserved on the Castle Hill, being the evidence of the historical significance of the city. The process of communization has started after the incorporation to the Soviet Union (September, 1939): streets and squares are renamed, Soviet monuments are erected. The places of worship are destroyed or reequipped. The Church of Christmas has become an Orthodox one forcibly and the only active. Participation in parades and meetings to commemorate the Soviet holidays has become a common practice for the population. A tradition to lay flowers at the monument to Lenin by the newly wedded couple has appeared. The central part of the city is a zone of official, formal events of ideological matter at that time as well as the Halych Castle remains a favourite place of family, youth leisure, the space for informal intercourse. Essential transformations of the urban public space of the city of Halych start after Ukraine has gained independence. In 1990 the monument to Lenin is dismantled and the central square of the city has got the Christmas Square name. In 1988 a monumental equestrian sculpture to King Danylo Halytskyi has appeared there. The process of streets’ renaming continues. New churches and chapels (over 20) are built, a number of commemorative plaques and monuments to the participants of the Ukrainian national resistance, public and cultural figures of the city and the region (about 10) have been placed on municipal houses. Nine memorial annotation plaques are dedicated to soldiers died in the Russian-Ukrainian war. Christmas Square today is the main symbolic space of the city, a place where various activities and communications take place (both public and private). Halych Castle continues to occupy an important place in the cultural life of the city. Many significant scientific and cultural events representing Ukrainian historical and musical heritage occur here, influencing the formation of the identity of the local population.

Deep hanging out, mixed methods toolkit, or something else? Current ethnographic practices in US anthropology

AbstractWe use a mix of qualitative and quantitative analyses to examine 1354 survey responses from members of the American Anthropological Association about their practice and teaching of cultural anthropology research methods. Latent profile analysis and an examination of responses to open‐ended survey questions reveal distinctive methodological clustering among anthropologists. However, two historical approaches to ethnography remain prominent: deep hanging out and a mixed methods toolkit, with the former remaining central to the practice and teaching of all forms of contemporary cultural anthropology. Further, many anthropologists are committed to advancing research methods that account for power imbalances in fieldwork, such as through community‐based and participatory approaches. And a substantial number also teach a wider array of methods and techniques that open new career pathways for anthropologists. Overall, our study reveals a core set of ethnographic practices—loosely, participant‐observation, informal interviews, and the experiential immersion of the ethnographer—while also highlighting the great breadth of cultural anthropological research practice and pedagogy. The findings presented here can help inform how current and future anthropological practitioners and educators position themselves to meet the ever‐changing demands of community members, funders, clients, collaborators, and students.

The Impact of the Parameter <i>Individualism — Collectivism</i> on the Formation of Behavioral Characteristics in People of Various National Cultures

Different theories of cross-cultural communication developed by researchers in the field of humanities including cultural anthropology, social psychology, cognitive science, etc., offer a variety of ways to classify national cultures. At the same time, many agree that there is a need for finding clear and measurable fundamental parameters underlying any national culture. The article substantiates the use of the parameter of individualism vs. collectivism, already tested in the framework of anthropology and philosophy of culture with regard to both Western and non-Western cultures, as an effective way for cultural comparison. The article aims to give an overview of various theories of cross-cultural interaction and their elements; to examine where they overlap or diverge; to look into the correlation between individualist/collectivist value orientations and behavior; and to study this parameter realization on a number of cases. The study is based on philosophical, anthropological, and cultural psychological theories, including the theory of guilt and shame cultures by R. Benedict, theory of self–presentations by R. Baumeister and D. Hutton, theory of personality’s self-construction by H. Marcus and S. Kitayama, as well as theory of cultural logics by A. Leung and D. Cohen. As an empirical confirmation of the above theoretical approaches, the article provides real-life examples, collected by the author. Literature was subject to categorical analysis. Empirical data was collected and analyzed using methods such as participant observation and discourse analysis. The comparative approach and hermeneutics techniques served as a general methodological prism. The study shows that, at least since the 1960s, specialists in the field of cultural studies have been increasingly discovering limitations and inconsistencies in theories that previously claimed to be universal: many of the models which originated in the West do not adequately represent non-Western cultures. The study proves the workability of the parameter of individualism vs. collectivism for interpretation of behavioral inconsistencies between people of different cultures. This parameter is compatible with a wide range of frameworks and shows a clear correlation between behavioral characteristics in different cultures and allows to interpret phenomena that were previously uninterpretable.

Exploring economic dimensions of social ecological crises: A reply to special issue papers

In this paper I consider various shifts in my research and understanding stimulated by seeking how to combat social ecological crises connected to modern economies. The discussion and critical reflections are structured around five papers that were submitted to Environmental Values in an open call to address my work. A common aspect is the move away from neoclassical environmental economics, and its reductionist monetary valuation, to a more realist theory and multiple methods. This relates to my work on environmental ethics, plural values, stated preference validity and deliberative monetary valuation. Expanding beyond the narrow confines of mainstream orthodoxy has involved exploring a range of other disciplines (e.g. applied philosophy, social psychology, human geography, political science, social anthropology, history of thought and philosophy of science) and learning from this literature to rethink economics and develop social ecological economics. A broad range of subjects are covered here, including: personal responsibility, social practice, psychology of the individual, participatory processes, value (intrinsic, instrumental and relational), Nature–society relationships and interdependencies, critical realism and the conduct of unifying interdisciplinary science. I end with a series of comments concerning the failings of orthodox economics and the conduct of scientific research for social ecological transformation.

Kłopotliwa wielka płyta. Sąsiedzkie i artystyczne praktyki transformowania przestrzeni sofijskich kompleksów mieszkaniowych

The aim of the article is to show social practices (neighbourly and artistic) activated around the example of Sofia’s dissonant heritage, which is the space of a housing complex. The author interprets the capital’s block housing estates as zones of transition between what is public and what is private, where specialized urban planning meets the everyday experience of residents, and the dehumanizing uniformity of the landscape clashes with the effects of amateur activities aimed at personalizing the environment. Using the methodological tools of anthropology of visual culture and arts and cultural studies, the author considers grassroots ways of adapting housing estate space to the residents’ needs, as well as attempts towards its visual revitalization using street art. The analysis shows that apartment blocks — as dissonant heritage, and at the same time a personal space — are today a field of activities of local communities and the artistic community, exploring the aesthetic and social potential of housing complexes.