Ethnographic Fieldwork

Anthropology, the study of peoples in all times and places (What is Anthropology? 2015), is a discipline heavily focused on uncovering what makes us human, and using our revelations to solve real world problems. As a social science, anthropology often looks into biological, historical, cultural, and communicative aspects of a society.

Unfortunately, the discipline is not without its faults. Ethnographic fieldwork, one of the most important data collecting methods, aims to create a holistic, in-depth look at a certain culture or society. However, the emphasis on studying a culture has subsequently diminished the focus on individuals and their variety within a singular group. Individuals are commonly thought of as windows into their culture;

Cultural anthropologist Melford Spiro (1993) raises a similar concern, pointing out the problematic nature of trying to cement a singular definition for the “self.” As researchers have found, conceptions of the self are cross-culturally variable, and even differ within these cultural groups. The stereotypes are commonly split into Western and Eastern ideals, and broadly generalize the variations present. Easter ideals of the self are said to be permeable; outsiders can be included in the definition of the self. On the other hand, Westerners are said to favor the idea of a unitary self, where an individual is fully autonomous and separated from the other subject around him (Spiro

The id encompasses our basic and most instinctive drives. A newborn is dominated by their id, meaning they completely give in to needs and desires without a second thought. But, through time, an individual will develop their ego and super-ego. The ego is the source of our sense of autonomy. It helps distinguish the self from the external world. Though it aims to satisfy the id, it has to deny some wants in favor of the super-ego. This component can be compared to modern-day ideas of the conscience. Molded by our upbringing, the super-ego makes us strive for our aspirations, but also punishes us with guilt when we do something that strays from these