Ethnology vs Anthropology
Ethnology and Anthropology are two related disciplines with some notable differences. Anthropology is a broad field of study that focuses on human origins, societies, and culture, while ethnology is the study of the characteristics of different peoples and is a subfield of anthropology.
What is Anthropology?
Anthropology is the study of human origins, societies, and cultures, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary. It explores not only social aspects of human life but also biological aspects. Anthropologists investigate the genetic makeup of humans, culture, religion, politics, language, and adaptation to various environmental settings. They also examine ceremonies, rituals, and practices of people. There are several branches of anthropology, including biological anthropology, social and cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology. Anthropology can be viewed as a fusion of social science and natural science, with both sciences having an influence on the discipline.
What is Ethnology?
Ethnology is the study of the characteristics of different people, making it a subfield of anthropology. In ethnology, researchers focus on the specific characteristics of a group of people, such as an ethnic group, in terms of social and cultural elements. These characteristics are then studied in depth. Ethnologists examine various unique features of a group, including origins, social structure, political structure, economy, religion, language, and members. The study of ethnology is mostly focused on culture and the changes that have occurred in different groups of people.
Key Takeaways
- Anthropology is a broad field of study that encompasses human origins, societies, and cultures, while ethnology is a more specific subfield of anthropology that focuses on the characteristics of different peoples.
- Anthropology can be considered a fusion of social science and natural science, with both sciences having an influence on the discipline.
- Ethnology primarily focuses on culture and the changes that have occurred in different groups of people over time.
