Final answer:
An anthropologist would focus on what cannibalism signifies within a society, looking at its cultural and social implications, rather than trying to alter or spread the practice. Option d
Step-by-step explanation:
An anthropologist studying a society that practiced cannibalism would be most interested in understanding what the practice of cannibalism means to the society being studied.
This involves analyzing the cultural, symbolic, and social dimensions of the practice rather than seeking to change it or enforce foreign laws. Studies like those conducted by Beth Conklin and Aparecida Vilaça among the Wari' offer invaluable insights into how practices such as endocannibalism are embedded within the mourning process and serve as a form of respect to the deceased, allowing them to transform into spirits and eventually return as prey animals. Conversely, exocannibalism might emerge due to beliefs of in-group versus out-group distinctions.
Understanding such practices provides a deeper comprehension of the cultural identity and foodways within the society.