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This is a 5 page paper discussing the differences and limitations in approaches to the study of cultures in anthropology using research theories by Renato Rosaldo and Nancy Scheper-Hughes. Rosaldo’s approach based on cultural citizenship allows him to study cultures and their groups but is somewhat subjective while Scheper-Hughes’ sociocentric concept of self relies heavily on conclusions based on her studies of individual’s excluded from groups within cultures.
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5 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_TJRosal1.rtf
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used by Renato Rosaldo and Nancy Scheper-Hughes. Generally, both researchers agree that all anthropologists will have a subjective side to their results yet aspects of group research can be analysed
objectively. Rosaldo uses an approach which is based on the knowledge of a cultural citizenship that each individual within a group society possesses and can be used as a base
from which to conduct research. Scheper-Hughes on the other hand, believes that an individuals psyche is formed by a sociocentric concept of self and in order to understand cultures and
the notion of the group, researchers can study those individuals who have been excluded from the group and using their vulnerable nature, can acquire a deeper understanding of an individuals
role within a culture. Both of these approaches give a unique interpretation of a culture yet have certain limitations. Classical socialization theory confines
anthropologists from understanding other cultures thoroughly because it believes that beliefs and values are an outcome of social processes and are taught by an individuals culture and therefore vary greatly
from culture to culture (Spickard, 1998). But this traditional approach did not account for why societies change over time and some anthropologists demanded a more flexible approach. Rosaldo used a
rational-choice theory while studying the Ilongot head hunting beliefs and their change to Christianity (Rosaldo, 1980, 1989). To help explain the differences in the Ilongot culture and the gradual transition
over to Christianity, Rosaldo tried to explain that using the rational-choice theory the Ilongots had traditionally used head-hunting as a way to overcome grief but the ceremony was banned by
the Philippine authorities. Rationally, they needed another outlet to meet their needs and Christianity became a legal practice which fulfilled their requirements (Rosaldo, 1989).
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