Cultural and biological adaptation both played significant roles in human evolution, and can be compounded into what is termed the “biocultural approach.” The biocultural approach refers to “the inclusion and combination (to solve a common problem) of both biological and cultural approaches—one of anthropology’s hallmarks.” (Kottak, 2015, p. 480) The two types of adaptation share many traits in common, but distinct understandings of our evolution. Of the two, biological adaptation played a primary role in the beginning of our evolution, while cultural adaptation came later. Biological adaptation can be described, in a very general sense, as the evolution of our skin color, facial features, our body types, our genes, and even our adaptation
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22) There are many types of symbols, be they linguistic, a country’s flag, a work of art, or even a company’s logo. These symbols are intrinsic parts of our culture, and are great examples of human evolution as we use them to communicate with each other. “Culture is the main reason for human adaptability and success. Other animals rely on biological means of adaptation (such as fur or blubber…” (Kottak, 2015, p. 25), and yet we are advanced enough to rely upon outside sources for most of our adaptation, such as tools or technology.
Cultural and biological adaptation are intrinsically linked to one another. With a broad view, cultural adaptation is observing humanity as a group, while biological adaptation is observing the changes in humanity on a more individual scale. This takes us to the Biocultural Approach, where Biological and Cultural Anthropologists work together to understand humanity. A wonderful example of this endeavor happens in Santa Maria, Bolivia, where anthropologists worked to understand the indigenous Tsimane …show more content…
70) (Subsistence farming is the practice of growing only what a community, or family, needs to survive, and no more.) There is such a variety in the population there, they can be observed in multiple states of, at least, cultural evolution. Some of the population lives in “a village of thatched huts in plantain groves” while “a small number…live in or around San Borja, the area’s only town; they own motorcycles and use cellphones.” (Kottak, 2015, p. 70) The conjoined efforts of these anthropologists allow scientists to observe a culture currently adapting to their changing environment. They have been able to observe that “cardiovascular disease is probably an ill of modern science” and that “high levels of physical activity drastically reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity and hypertension…” (Kottak, 2015, p.
22) There are many types of symbols, be they linguistic, a country’s flag, a work of art, or even a company’s logo. These symbols are intrinsic parts of our culture, and are great examples of human evolution as we use them to communicate with each other. “Culture is the main reason for human adaptability and success. Other animals rely on biological means of adaptation (such as fur or blubber…” (Kottak, 2015, p. 25), and yet we are advanced enough to rely upon outside sources for most of our adaptation, such as tools or technology.
Cultural and biological adaptation are intrinsically linked to one another. With a broad view, cultural adaptation is observing humanity as a group, while biological adaptation is observing the changes in humanity on a more individual scale. This takes us to the Biocultural Approach, where Biological and Cultural Anthropologists work together to understand humanity. A wonderful example of this endeavor happens in Santa Maria, Bolivia, where anthropologists worked to understand the indigenous Tsimane …show more content…
70) (Subsistence farming is the practice of growing only what a community, or family, needs to survive, and no more.) There is such a variety in the population there, they can be observed in multiple states of, at least, cultural evolution. Some of the population lives in “a village of thatched huts in plantain groves” while “a small number…live in or around San Borja, the area’s only town; they own motorcycles and use cellphones.” (Kottak, 2015, p. 70) The conjoined efforts of these anthropologists allow scientists to observe a culture currently adapting to their changing environment. They have been able to observe that “cardiovascular disease is probably an ill of modern science” and that “high levels of physical activity drastically reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity and hypertension…” (Kottak, 2015, p.