Addis Ababa University

School of Information Science

Social Anthropology / Individual Assignment

Name Yonathan Tesfaye

ID UGR/2549/15
Section 2

Date: Aug 2023

 1. What do you think that anthropology is related to information science?

Anthropology, as a field of study, may seem distant from information science at first glance.
However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that there are intriguing connections
between the two disciplines. This essay will explore how anthropology and information science
intersect and complement each other, highlighting five key points of convergence.

Firstly, both anthropology and information science share a common interest in understanding
human behavior and interaction. Anthropology focuses on the study of human societies,
cultures, and their evolution, while information science delves into how people create, organize,
and access information. By examining how individuals and communities gather, transmit, and
utilize information, information science gains valuable insights into human cognitive processes
and social dynamics, which aligns with anthropology's goals.

In anthropology, researchers employ ethnographic methods to immerse themselves in the lives

of individuals and communities, observing their behaviors, beliefs, and practices. Through
participant observation, interviews, and cultural analysis, anthropologists gain a deep
understanding of the cultural context in which information is produced, shared, and consumed.
This contextual understanding is crucial in information science as well, as it informs the design
and development of information systems that are sensitive to the cultural nuances and
information needs of diverse user groups.

Secondly, both disciplines embrace a holistic perspective. Anthropology emphasizes the holistic
study of human societies, considering various aspects such as language, rituals, kinship
systems, material culture, and socio-political structures. Similarly, information science
recognizes the interconnectedness of information systems, acknowledging the multifaceted
nature of information creation, storage, retrieval, and dissemination.

In information science, researchers explore how information flows within and across different
contexts, examining the social, technological, and organizational factors that shape information
behavior. This holistic approach enables information scientists to understand the complex
relationships between users, information resources, and the broader socio-cultural systems in

1
which they are embedded. By integrating anthropological theories and methodologies,
information science can enhance its understanding of the socio-cultural dimensions of
information and develop more contextually grounded information systems.

Thirdly, anthropology and information science both recognize the significance of context.
Anthropologists emphasize the cultural, historical, and environmental contexts that shape
human behavior, beliefs, and practices. Similarly, information science acknowledges the
importance of context in information retrieval and understanding.

In anthropology, context is considered essential for interpreting and making sense of human
actions and cultural artifacts. Ethnographers pay close attention to the specific situational and
cultural contexts in which information is produced, disseminated, and interpreted. Likewise,
information science recognizes that information is not static but is deeply influenced by its
contextual surroundings. Information retrieval systems, for instance, take into account the
user's context, including their preferences, location, and browsing history, to deliver personalized
and relevant information.

Fourthly, anthropology and information science converge in their concern for ethics.
Anthropologists are committed to ethical research practices, respecting the rights and
well-being of the communities they study. Information science, too, grapples with ethical
considerations, especially in areas such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and information
dissemination.

In anthropology, ethical guidelines emphasize informed consent, confidentiality, and cultural

sensitivity. Researchers strive to build relationships of trust and reciprocity with the
communities they work with, ensuring that their research does not cause harm or exploit
vulnerable populations. Similarly, information science seeks to address ethical challenges
related to data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and the equitable distribution of information
resources. By incorporating anthropological perspectives, information science can better
navigate ethical dilemmas and ensure that information systems are designed and implemented
ethically.

2
Lastly, anthropology and information science can mutually benefit from interdisciplinary
collaboration. Drawing on anthropological methods and theories, information scientists can
develop more nuanced and culturally sensitive approaches to information management, user
experience design, and information retrieval. Conversely, anthropologists can leverage
information science tools and methodologies to enhance data collection, analysis, and
preservation.

Collaborative efforts between the two fields can lead to innovative insights, methodologies, and
practical applications in various domains. For example, anthropologists and information
scientists can collaborate to develop culturally appropriate information systems for indigenous
communities, ensuring that these systems align with their cultural values and practices. By
working together, anthropologists and information scientists can bridge disciplinary boundaries,
enrich their research practices, and contribute to a more holistic understanding of human
information behavior.

In conclusion, while seemingly distinct, anthropology and information science have meaningful
connections and areas of overlap. Both disciplines explore human behavior, embrace holistic
perspectives, consider context, address ethics, and can benefit from interdisciplinary
collaboration. Recognizing and exploring these intersections can deepen our understanding of
human societies, support the development of more effective information systems, and
contribute to the advancement of both fields.

3
 2. Among the available definitions of culture, which one is the widely accepted and the
relatively comprehensive definition of this complex concept? Afterwards, explain in detail
each issue incorporated in the definition of culture that is chosen by you.

The most widely accepted and comprehensive definition of culture comes from the British
anthropologist Edward Tylor, who defined culture as "that complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by
man as a member of society."

This seminal definition identifies the key components that make up the multi-faceted concept of
culture:

Knowledge
The shared pool of information, concepts, wisdom, and practical skills that humans in a society
accumulate over generations. This includes:
● Academic and technical knowledge in areas like science, medicine, engineering, history,
etc.
● Cultural traditions, myths, folklore, literature that convey beliefs and values
● Artistic knowledge about music, dance, visual arts, crafts, clothing, architecture
● Practical knowledge for sustaining life - food production, hunting, building, tool-making
● Languages, traditions, rituals that preserve cultural continuity

A culture's collective knowledge informs how its members perceive, interpret, and interact with
the world around them. Shared knowledge is transmitted across generations through language,
stories, media, institutions, and socialization practices. Knowledge shapes cultural identity and
cohesion.

Beliefs
The shared worldviews, values, ideologies, and assumptions that provide meaning and purpose
in a culture. This includes:
● Religious beliefs, rituals, conceptions of the sacred and supernatural
● Moral beliefs about right/wrong, norms of behavior, ethics, human nature
● Political philosophies about power, authority, governance, and human rights
● Views on the origins of the universe, environment, and humanity
● Perceptions of illness, health, the body, well-being

Beliefs provide cognitive and existential frameworks that shape how people in a culture
understand reality and their place in the world. Belief systems ground cultural ethics, values,
social organization, behaviors, and conceptions of identity. They are instilled through
enculturation, socialization, mythology, doctrine, and worldview.

4
Art
The creative works, symbolic expressions, and aesthetic forms that embody, communicate, and
reinforce cultural knowledge, values, and beliefs. This includes:
● Visual arts - painting, sculpture, architecture, design, photography, film
● Performing arts - music, dance, theater, ceremony, celebration
● Oral traditions - stories, poetry, drama
● Handicrafts - ceramics, textiles, metalwork, jewelry, woodwork
● Clothing, culinary arts, language, symbology

The arts fulfill intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs. They allow creativity and cultural
continuity through generations. Artistic forms carry symbolic, non-verbal meanings that reflect
cultural ethos and identity. Each culture has its own standards of beauty and artistic expression.

Morals
The moral codes, values, ethics, and social norms that enable cultures to function smoothly and
provide guiding standards for how to live a good life. Morality encompasses:
● Principles of right and wrong conduct
● Standards of proper behavior, propriety, integrity
● Values like honesty, loyalty, respect, care, fairness
● Norms for relationships, family, community, society
● Ideas of justice, human rights, social equality

A culture's moral codes are shaped by religious or philosophical beliefs, legal precedents, and
evolving social attitudes. Morality regulates social life through internalized values and external
social controls. It aims to produce order, safety, trust, and cooperation between members of a
culture. Moral norms vary greatly across different cultures.

Law
The formal legal rules, processes, and institutions that govern human behavior by codifying,
enforcing, and institutionalizing the moral standards and codes of conduct in a society. Law
includes:
● Constitutions, legislated statutes, regulatory frameworks
● Policing, security, military, and penal systems
● Courts, trials, sentencing, rehab/correctional facilities
● Regulation of government, corporations, public services
● Protection of human rights, civil rights, free speech
● Standards for contracts, property, financial transactions
● Liability, arbitration, and dispute resolution systems

5
Formal legal systems use the authority of the state to maintain order, deliver justice, provide
security, regulate the economy, and enact the cultural values and ethics of a society. The law
shapes politics, business, family life, and individual conduct through punitive and coercive
power.

Customs
Informal cultural norms, habits, conventions, rituals, and practices that enable coordinated
social interaction and community cohesion. Customs include:
● Etiquette, politeness, and hospitality rituals
● Rites of passage - births, weddings, funerals
● Family gathering traditions, holiday celebrations
● Religious ceremonies, festivals, feasts, fasting
● Superstitions, folk remedies, divination
● Traditional clothing, cuisine, crafts, music, dance
● Unique dialects, accents, concepts in language

Customs serve as cultural glue transmitting heritage and identity. They provide comfort through
familiar routines and a sense of belonging. Customs vary widely between cultural groups and
often seem strange or irrational to outsiders.

Other Capabilities and Habits

This broad category encompasses the full range of learned skills, practices, patterns of
behavior, and adaptive strategies that enable the functioning and survival of cultural groups. Key
elements include:
● Methods of subsistence - agriculture, hunting, fishing, food gathering
● Technological skills - tool-making, clothing, shelter construction
● Structures of family, kinship, communal organization
● Gender roles, rites of passage, marriage customs
● Methods of transportation and communication
● Systems of trade, exchange, sharing, and reciprocity
● Methods of conflict resolution and peacemaking
● Adaptive approaches to the natural environment
● Learned behaviors, rituals, social routines, norms of conduct
● Shared attitudes, values, identities, worldviews

This expansive final component of Tylor's definition acknowledges that virtually all human
capabilities and habits are cultivated through the cultural environments, systems, and
institutions that people are immersed in from birth. Culture profoundly shapes human
psychology and behavior.

Tylor's 19th century definition remains influential because it recognizes culture as a complex,
multi-layered system that encompasses all domains of human life and society. His definition

6
accounts for the diversity of cultural expressions across groups. It also conveys the depth to
which culture becomes deeply ingrained in human thought, motivation, and identity. Tylor's
insights established culture as a fundamental concept in the field of anthropology, spurring over
a century of cultural analysis.