Applied Anthropology Definition: What You Need to Know

Applied Anthropology Definition– Have you ever considered how anthropologists contribute to solving practical problems? Applied anthropology can be defined as the intersection of cultural anthropology and practical knowledge and research. It is all about applying anthropology to addressing issues. But what is it, and how long does it deviate from standard anthropology? Let’s explore this together.

Applied anthropology employs anthropological techniques and tools to analyze and solve social, economic, and cultural issues. It’s not just research for the sake of exploring. They use methods and work with people to come up with a solution that will be accepted by the people and sustainable.

Applied anthropology is a sub-discipline of anthropology and its aim is to apply anthropological findings to resolve problems. This can be in places like in health sector, education sector, government, or even business. In a nutshell, it is about improving the lives of people by developing tangible interventions.

Key Takeaways

• Applied anthropology entails learning and understanding anthropology as it is applied to practical problems.
• It is different from academic anthropology which is more of a theoretical practice.
• Working with communities and organizations, applied anthropologists design culturally appropriate interventions.
• There are numerous areas of focus in this field: medical anthropology, environmental anthropology, corporate anthropology, and others.
• Thus, applied anthropology is beneficial in areas such as public health, education, government, and the tech industry.

Applied Anthropology

Applied anthropology can be defined as a specialized branch of anthropology where anthropological approaches are practiced to address practical concerns. Distinguishable from classical anthropology, which is primarily focused on extending the primary understanding of societies and cultures. This branch of anthropology embraces creating solutions that are culturally appropriate and realistic.

What is Applied Anthropology?

Applied anthropology employs anthropological information and approaches to address societal issues. Individuals in this realm are employed by the health and education sectors and non-governmental organizations. They apply their knowledge to complex problems and give people a better quality of life.

Purpose and Scope

The primary purpose of applied anthropology, therefore, is to apply anthropological knowledge in addressing social and cultural issues. This means that the culture of people affected by a problem is considered, the origin of issues is identified, and appropriate measures are adopted.

Subfields of applied anthropology include, but are not limited to, public health, the environment, and human rights. Specialists in this area can be scientists, advisers, or regulators. They interact with various stakeholders to affect change.

By using the applied anthropology definition, specialists will be able to reach the goal of applied anthropology. That covers a lot of social issues within the field of applied anthropology. This approach can be very helpful in people’s lives and the overall community.

Key Areas of Applied Anthropology Definition

There are many areas of applied anthropology, and each is involved in addressing various issues. There are two key parts of anthropology, medical anthropology and environmental anthropology.

Medical Anthropology

Medical anthropology focuses on the differences in health and illness in societies. It learns about the impact of culture on health as well as diseases. Specialists practising in this area seek to enhance healthcare systems by studying cultural beliefs.

They strive to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery. They aim to better treat people and raise awareness about the need for cultural competence in the field of medicine.

Environmental Anthropology

Environmental anthropology may be described as the study of how people engage with the environment. It addresses such matters as climatic change and the conservation of nature. Scholars in this topical area focus on the role and impact of culture and society on the environment.

Amongst them are policymakers and community groups. Their pursuit is to discover how people can increase the use of environmental conservation processes and meet the needs of human beings.

These are examples of what applied anthropology covers. Both areas provide different perspectives and outcomes in solving topical challenges. Because of its orientation towards culture, it is particularly useful in several fields, such as health and development.

Also Read: 

• Who is the Father of Applied Anthropology?

Conclusion

Applied anthropology involves the application of anthropological principles, theories, and tools to practical issues. It does not just do research and interact with communities and groups but also supports them. Some of the sectors where applied anthropologists practice their profession include healthcare, education, and policy sectors. It utilizes their skills to address large societal, economic, and cultural questions.

To sum up, over the last century, applied anthropology has evolved and become an influential branch. It is an important instrument in such sectors as emergency response, program evaluation, planning, policy analysis, agriculture, rural and tribal development, as well as in such fields as public health. This demonstrates just how significant it is to the functioning of society.

This is because applied anthropology provides remedies that are relevant to individual societies. Using this knowledge, applied anthropologists assist in developing policies and interventions that will make a difference for individuals. Thus, applied anthropology, as we require more culturally savvy and evidence-based approaches to global challenges, will become even more relevant for our future.

FAQs