social anthropology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic, formal
Quick answer
What does “social anthropology” mean?
The branch of anthropology that studies the cultural aspects, social structures, kinship systems, belief systems, and practices of contemporary human societies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The branch of anthropology that studies the cultural aspects, social structures, kinship systems, belief systems, and practices of contemporary human societies.
While focused on contemporary societies, social anthropology often employs comparative methods to understand human social organization and cultural variation, increasingly engaging with issues of globalization, migration, and social change.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: Standard and primary term for the discipline. US: Often used interchangeably with 'cultural anthropology', though 'cultural anthropology' is more common. 'Social anthropology' in the US may be used to denote a specific, more sociological approach within the broader field.
Connotations
UK: Connotes a rigorous, analytical discipline rooted in long-term fieldwork (ethnography) and comparative social theory. US: May connote a specific sub-field or methodological tradition within anthropology, sometimes perceived as more theoretical or structural.
Frequency
High frequency in UK academic contexts; medium frequency in US academic contexts, where 'cultural anthropology' is preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “social anthropology” in a Sentence
[Subject: Institution/Person] specialises in social anthropology.[Subject: Study/Research] draws on social anthropology.[Subject: Argument/Perspective] is informed by social anthropology.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “social anthropology” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Her doctoral thesis in social anthropology examined kinship networks in London.
- The Oxford department of Social Anthropology is world-renowned.
American English
- She took a class in social anthropology to understand ritual practices.
- His work bridges social anthropology and political science.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in context of consumer behaviour research or organisational culture studies drawing on anthropological methods.
Academic
Primary context. Used in course titles, research descriptions, theoretical debates, and departmental names.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be mentioned when discussing someone's university degree or a documentary style.
Technical
High. Core term within anthropology and related social sciences like sociology and development studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “social anthropology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “social anthropology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “social anthropology”
- Using 'social anthropology' to refer to the study of ancient societies (that's archaeology).
- Confusing it with sociology (sociology often uses quantitative methods and studies large-scale, modern societies; social anthropology traditionally uses qualitative ethnography and studies a wider range of societies).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In British tradition, 'social anthropology' emphasizes social structure and institutions. In the American tradition, 'cultural anthropology' has a broader focus on all aspects of culture (symbols, meanings, practices). The distinction is blurring, and many use 'sociocultural anthropology'.
Yes, absolutely. While traditionally focused on 'other' cultures, a significant part of modern social anthropology involves the study of institutions, communities, and phenomena within the anthropologist's own society (e.g., in fields like medical, business, or urban anthropology).
They are sister disciplines. Historically, sociology focused on complex, industrial Western societies using surveys and statistics, while social anthropology studied smaller-scale, non-Western societies through immersive fieldwork. Today, their methods and topics overlap considerably, though their theoretical traditions may differ.
No, this is an outdated view. Modern social anthropology studies a vast array of contexts including corporations, scientific laboratories, hospitals, online communities, state institutions, and social movements across the globe.
The branch of anthropology that studies the cultural aspects, social structures, kinship systems, belief systems, and practices of contemporary human societies.
Social anthropology is usually academic, formal in register.
Social anthropology: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsəʊʃl̩ ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsoʊʃl̩ ˌænθrəˈpɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to take a social anthropological view (of something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'SOCIAL' as relating to people and societies, and 'ANTHROPOLOGY' as the study of humans. Together, it's the study of human societies.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANTHROPOLOGY IS A LENS (e.g., 'viewing the conflict through the lens of social anthropology').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key methodological approach in social anthropology?