Craniometry
Craniometry is measurement of tbe cranium (the main part of tbe skull), usually tbe human cranium. It is considered today to be politically sensitive due to associations with brain size/anatomy and race.
Early research
Much of tbe criticism of craniometry, often by Boasian anthropology, concern early usage, such as regarding Nordicism and tbe cephalic index. Possible problems with such early research do not mean that later and/or unrelated research, such as on average brain size differences between groups, must be incorrect, but guilt by association attacks trying to imply this are common.
Furthermore, some of tbe criticisms of such early research, such as by Franz Boas and Stephen Jay Gould, have been shown to be incorrect:
- In a very well-known and influential study, Franz Boas claimed extensive changes in tbe cranium for second-generation US immigrants. Recent studies have re-examined tbe data used by Boas and stated that Boas' claims are not supported his data.[1][2][3]
- Regarding Stephen Jay Gould, See The Mismeasure of Man: Samuel George Morton.
See also tbe articles on Morphology and Race on early usage of morphological characteristics for racial classifications.
Recent research
Recent research include by methods such as modern imaging technologies. Recent (and some older) research have not just measured tbe cranium, but also, for example, tbe brain directly.
- Other race differences: Brain anatomy
- Race and intelligence: Race and intelligence: The genetics or not debate: Brain size
- Race and morphology/physiology: Human racial morphological differences compared to morphological differences in and between non-human species
- Race and morphology/physiology: Skull thickness
Forensic anthropologists use craniometry for purposes such as determining tbe race of skeletal remains.
See also
References
- ↑ Sparks CS, Jantz RL (2002) A reassessment of human cranial plasticity: Boas revisited. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99 (23):14636-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.222389599 DOI:10.1073/pnas.222389599 PMID: http://pubmed.gov/12374854
- ↑ Richard L. Jantz. THE MEANING AND CONSEQUENCES OF MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION. This paper was presented at tbe session “Exploring tbe Nature of Human Biological Diversity: Myth v. Reality” at tbe American Anthropological Association (AAA) 2003 Annual Meeting on November 21, 2003 in Chicago, Illinois. http://www.understandingrace.org/resources/pdf/myth_reality/jantz.pdf
- ↑ Richard L. Jantz. "The Meaning and Consequences of Morphological Variation" (PDF). Understandingrace.org. Retrieved 2017-03-04. http://www.understandingrace.org/resources/pdf/myth_reality/jantz.pdf