Final answer:
Ethnology is a branch of anthropology focusing on the cross-cultural comparison of different cultures to understand human societies, while ethnographic studies involve in-depth observation of specific communities. Ethnology helps to track historical changes and migration, and ethnographic work provides insights into the daily lives and cultural norms of particular groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethnology is defined as a branch of anthropology that analyzes and compares different cultures to understand human societies and their development. It involves cross-cultural comparison and often focuses on the relationships among cultures, including language, dress, migration patterns, and other shared cultural elements. Through the practice of ethnology, anthropologists have sought to track changes in societies and elucidate the pathways by which Native peoples reached new regions, such as the Americas.
Ethnographic studies, on the other hand, involve detailed, long-term observation of a particular community or setting to understand its social structures and cultural norms. Ethnographers may study a variety of settings, such as a fishing town, a village, or a boarding school, committing significant time to observe and document the behaviors, practices, and values of the people within.
Cultural anthropologists also engage in ontological anthropology, investigating the nature of reality within different cultures, including non-human perspectives and spiritual beings. This field seeks to understand how culture constructs our social and natural realities, shaping what is considered real and how people act based on those beliefs.
Understanding the difference between society and culture is crucial, as society refers to a group of people sharing a community and culture, while culture encompasses the shared beliefs, values, and practices of that society. The study of culture has evolved to recognize its dynamic and controversial aspects, acknowledging how individuals within a society may interpret or enact cultural norms differently.