Psychological Anthropology

Psychological Anthropology is an interdisciplinary field of study that focuses on the cultural and social influences on individual psychology and the psychological underpinnings of behaviors.

Subjects include religion, ritual practices, social relationships, medical practices, and explanations of world events.

For example, in some cultures it is believed that seizures are caused by spirits taking over the persons body. This is viewed as a spiritual and religious experience. In Western medical circles, these seizures are explained by neural issues such as epilepsy and are viewed through a scientific lens. The examination and study of this topic would fall under the heading of psychological anthropology.