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The Research Experience in a Chinese‐American Community
Author(s) -
Weiss Melford S.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1977.tb02526.x
Subject(s) - objectivity (philosophy) , identity (music) , sociology , chinese community , social psychology , psychology , aesthetics , epistemology , political science , law , china , art , philosophy
Anthropological investigators are well aware of the subleties of “image” and “identity” and ordinarily present a low‐key profile to the native community. Their ability to maintain such a profile however depends not only upon their desire for uninvolved objectivity but upon the community's willingness to accept and tolerate an uncommitted stranger. The modern Chinese‐American community is composed of three significant factions — traditionalists, modernists, and activists — each segment often utilizing different means to pursue divergent goals. They also tend to hold differing views about the anthropologist and may attempt to expand, restrict, or change his/her role, research methodologies, and relationship to the community.