Final answer:
A cultural anthropologist studies cultures, their beliefs, practices, and social organization through methods like participant observation. They aim to understand both the mundane and significant aspects of a culture's way of life and are informed by holistic and interdisciplinary perspectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is a Cultural Anthropologist?
A cultural anthropologist specializes in studying culture and the beliefs, practices, cognitive, and social organization of human groups. This specialty of anthropology delves into the everyday thoughts, actions, and feelings of people in various cultures, as well as their historical events and social discourses. The aim of cultural anthropology is to understand the underlying unspoken norms, values, and the greater forces such as economic changes and political structures influencing societies.
Key Considerations and Observations of Cultural Anthropologists
Cultural anthropologists often employ participant observation as a research method. This involves living within and observing a cultural community for an extended period to make systematic and accurate descriptions of that culture. They explore how societies are structured, examine the roles and institutions that manage social life, and analyze the social and cultural implications of different ways of living. Furthermore, they consider everyday practices, like morning routines, visiting customs, and eating habits, as vital elements to comprehend a culture.
Moreover, part of their research includes considerations mandated by institutional review boards and the pursuit of long-term research projects to gain in-depth insights into the cultures under study. Understanding human culture is interconnected with linguistic, biological, and archaeological perspectives which makes the approach of a cultural anthropologist holistic and comprehensive.