In: Psychology
The Alien Ethnographer Imagine that you are an ethnographer from a different planet. As part of your alien Ph.D. requirements, you have been sent to earth to conduct an ethnographic study of any “human activity” of your choosing. This activity may be something you are currently witnessing (e.g., behavior in the student center) or something you have witnessed in the past (e.g., a family celebration of a specific holiday). You are to conduct a small ethnographic study of this observed activity by briefly answering the following questions.
1. What is the name given to this activity?
2. What is the purpose of the activity?
3. What procedures are used to perform the activity?
4. What are the time and space requirements of the activity?
5. What are the personnel requirements of the activity?
6. What is the nature of the social organization?
7. What are the occasions for performance of the activity?
Since December is round the corner, my study is on the joyous Christmas celebrations.
1. What is the name given to this activity?
Answer: Christmas celebrations
2. What is the purpose of the activity?
Answer: To celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ
3. What procedures are used to perform the activity?
Answer: Decorating a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, meeting family and friends, and visiting the church to name a few.
4. What are the time and space requirements of the activity?
Answer: Christmas is usually celebrated on the 25th of December every year. There are no space requirements of this activity. Christmas can be celebrated in schools, homes, public places, and churches.
5. What are the personnel requirements of the activity?
Answer: Everybody is welcome to take part in Christmas celebrations. People usually celebrate Christmas with family and friends, although it is not limited to a certain number of people.
6. What is the nature of the social organization?
Answer: A gathering of family and friends
7. What are the occasions for performance of the activity?
Answer: Christmas Day is on 25th December. However, the month of December marks the beginning of the festivities.