Final answer:
The study of human beings and their ancestors is anthropology, which encompasses a broad understanding of humanity both biologically and culturally over time and space.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of human beings and their ancestors is anthropology, not psychology. Anthropology is the scientific and humanistic study of the human species, encompassing present and past biological, linguistic, and cultural variations. Within anthropology, biological anthropology is a subfield that specifically focuses on the biological and sociocultural development of humans, their evolution, and diversity. Biological anthropologists might study genetic data, human fossils, or our closest relatives, the primates, to understand the biological and social traits we share and what makes us unique.
Anthropology looks at humanity from a wide lens, examining our species across time and space. It deals with different spheres of human activity and thought, and how these have been shaped by historical and environmental factors. Therefore, anthropologists not only study the physical aspects of human life but also delve into cultural, social, and linguistic dimensions.
To put it briefly, anthropology takes an all-encompassing view of human life and seeks to understand the richness of human experience. It integrates different disciplines to provide a holistic understanding of what it means to be human, grounded in evolutionary theory and extensive research.