Final answer:
Anthropologists use juxtaposition to compare and contrast diverse phenomena, utilizing fieldwork, visual documentation, and critical analysis to understand cultural interconnectedness and change over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anthropologists use juxtaposition to compare phenomena that were once considered to be vastly different. This analytical tool allows anthropologists to challenge preconceived notions and provides a clearer understanding of the interconnectedness of cultures, practices, and historical contexts. Through long-term fieldwork, including participant observation as well as the use of visual aids like photography and film, anthropologists can develop nuanced insights into the patterns and contrasts within and across societies.
By placing cultural artifacts, social practices, or even technological influences side by side, anthropologists encourage critical thinking and make global connections. For example, using typological sequences in archaeology helps trace the evolution of objects and their cultural significance over time. Similarly, the use of global information flows illustrates the reach of globalization even in remote communities, thereby shaping the cultures under study.
The science of anthropology recognizes that the realms of society are interconnected and that a broad view is necessary to understand the wider forces at play. This recognition extends to the understanding of global problems and emphasizes the dynamic and ever-changing nature of human societies.