What does the comparative method in anthropology primarily involve?

The comparative method in anthropology primarily involves comparing different cultures or behaviors. This approach allows anthropologists to identify similarities and differences across various societies, which can lead to deeper insights into human behavior, social structures, and cultural practices. By examining a range of cultures, anthropologists can better understand the diversity of human experiences and how cultural contexts shape social phenomena. This method is essential for developing theories and generalizations about human behavior that are not limited to the specifics of one culture.

The other approaches listed, while valuable in their own right, do not encapsulate the essence of the comparative method. For example, studying a single culture in depth focuses on understanding that culture specifically, without making comparisons to others. Examining biological differences among species leans towards fields like biology or ecology rather than cultural anthropology. Analyzing archaeological artifacts pertains to understanding past human behaviors and societies through material remains, but it is more specific and does not inherently involve the comparative framework that defines the comparative method.