Psychological Anthropology Careers

Psychological anthropology is a scientific discipline predicated on the assumption that the cultural milieu in which people are raised helps define their basic thought processes and behaviors. Psychological anthropologists study the interactions between cultural and mental influences to determine the basic cognitive and emotional composition of the members of specific cultures.

Each culture has its own history, practices, languages, traditions, taboos, and mores; in addition, each has its own greetings, dress, and religious and spiritual beliefs. Those members of a culture indoctrinated into these beliefs and practices take them for granted, but they form a profound influence on the individual. Additionally, members of a culture experience mental disorders specific to that culture, diseases of the mind that aren’t common to or recognized by other cultures. Psychological anthropology seeks to understand how the influences of culture, mind, and personality interact. In addition, it delves into the relationship between culture and society and the effects they have on the individual.

What Is Psychological Anthropology?

To draw meaningful conclusions as to the influences that culture has on mental health, motivation, cognition, emotions and perception, psychological anthropologists study the patterns of human development. The discipline draws from many others, including:

• Ethnology, the study of different cultures and peoples and the similarities and differences between them
• Folk psychology, the study of the development of belief structures in various societies and the stages that particular doctrines move through over millennia
• Anthropology, the study of all human cultures, past and present, and how they’ve changed over the passage of time
• Psychology, the study of the human mind and its mental, emotional, behavioral, and motivational thought processes

Psychological anthropology assumes that all humans are born with the same basic cognitive abilities. This theory contrasts sharply with the beliefs held by experts of previous centuries, who believed that “primitive” and “advanced” cultures possessed mental abilities at different levels. Today, almost all psychologists recognize that what are perceived as variations in thinking and learning are due entirely to the cultural schema to which people are acculturated at a very young age.

Some experts claim that psychological anthropology is the same as cross-cultural anthropology, which is the comparison of various cultures in an attempt to find similarities and test hypotheses about widespread human behavior. Others, however, contest this assertion, claiming that psychological anthropology looks at specific cultures to determine how the society uniquely influences behavior rather than drawing broader conclusions from a study of a variety of cultures.

What Does a Psychological Anthropologist Do?

Psychological anthropologists and psychologists attempt to answer many of the same questions. Psychological anthropologists want to understand how the human mind works, what motivates people and causes their behaviors, and how emotions, thoughts, and behaviors manifest and influence human behavior through the course of life from birth to death. In short, the psychological anthropologist is interested in the question of what it means to be human.

However, the psychological anthropologist’s approach differs from that of mainstream psychology in a number of significant ways. Firstly, psychological anthropologists believe that mental composition is not only a result of cognition and experience; it is also a product of the wider cultural and social environment. Moreover, psychological anthropologists take for granted that humans do not necessarily experience everything the same way. For example, in a culture with no word for “anger,” do the members of that culture still experience anger, but simply have no word for it? Or, to them, is what we perceive as anger a different experience?

These are, of course, difficult questions. In an attempt to find the answers, the psychological anthropologist pursues one of the many available avenues of research. Like other psychologists, psychological anthropologists may simply have discussions with subjects to learn how they think and feel. They administer tests, such as the classic Rorschach test, and develop indicative case studies of individuals, families, or communities. Many examine mental illnesses to draw conclusions as to how specific cultures experience a specific mental disorder and the prevalence of it in their society.

To make these kinds of conclusions, the psychological anthropologist must have a variety of skills and types of knowledge, including:

• Deep understanding of basic psychological and anthropological tenets
• Cultural fluency, especially in the specific treatment areas
• Profound understanding of human development
• Proficiency in psychological and psychoanalytic discussion therapy
• Excellent organizational skills
• Empathetic bedside manner
• Understanding of the role that religion and spirituality play in development and mental health
• The ability to instruct and lead
• First-rate communication and writing skills

Psychological Anthropologist: Typical Work Environment & Occupational Challenges

Some psychological anthropologists conduct fieldwork, in which they immerse themselves in a variety of cultural settings around the world or in their own locality, at a community health center, nursing home, or church, for example. Many psychological anthropologists find employment at research institutions, where they conduct experiments, analyze fieldwork, or conduct metastudies. Or, they may review multiple studies to formulate overarching conclusions.

Other psychological anthropologists work in mental health facilities, focusing on a specific ethnic group and applying psychological principles pertaining to that group’s specific cultural setting, upbringing, rituals, perceptions of emotions and behavior, and so on. They may perform a counseling role with those who have serious mental illnesses, often confined to a single culture or culture group. Or, they might work with clients while gathering data to publish.

The challenges for psychological anthropologists are similar to those encountered by any other type of psychologist. Working with clients may mean long hours, including nights and weekends. Even if the position offers a stable 9-to-5 schedule, spending hours with patients who are experiencing distress and trauma is stressful and emotionally exhausting. To avoid burnout, psychological anthropologists must strive for and achieve a healthy work–life balance.

Psychological Anthropology Salary & Job Outlook

Psychological anthropology combines a variety of fields, so pinpointing an accurate salary is difficult. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does reveal that anthropologists earn an average salary of $68,310 as of May 2022. Those working for the federal government earned an average salary of $85,840, while those working in research and development earned an average of $59,630.

At the same time, the BLS reports that psychologists (other than clinical, counseling, and school psychologists) working for the federal government earned an average salary of $104,870, while those working for scientific research and development companies earned an average of $115,750.

Jobs in anthropology are projected to increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031, while jobs for psychologists in nearly all areas of study are projected to increase at the same rate during this time.

Psychological Anthropology Jobs & Job Description

A variety of institutions, including medical centers, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations, governments, and others hire psychological anthropologists in various capacities. Psychological anthropologists may also establish an independent private practice. In all these settings, they perform various duties, including:

• Meeting with patients and clients
• Keeping records
• Instructing students, families, groups at community centers, and more
• Diagnosing and treating mental illness
• Collaborating with other mental health professionals
• Assessing psychological differences, depending upon language, social groups, ethnic groups, religious groups, or work cultures
• Writing and publishing

Psychological anthropologists may study specific topics, such as:

• Demography and epidemiology
• Attachment, parenting, and child development
• Social learning
• Personality, self, and power
• Substance abuse
• Suicide
• Ethnomedicine
• Personality
• Infectious disease
• Dream interpretation

Psychological Anthropology Degrees & Education

To practice, psychological anthropologists typically need at least a master’s degree. While those with bachelor’s degrees may be able to assist in a research capacity, a master’s is required to work with patients, lead studies, or teach. Job opportunities increase for students who go on to obtain a doctoral degree, a Ph.D.

Most Master of Science in Psychological Anthropology programs comprise one year of study, though some can be completed in two years on a part-time schedule. During the course of the program, students learn about human development, all the way from infancy through the older years; culture; mental health; psychiatry and psychoanalysis; science; religion; emotion; self-concept; and more. Students may choose to focus on one or several of these areas, although all students must receive basic training. At the Ph.D. level, students work with their advisors to customize a program that meets the specific requirements of their institution.

The field of psychological anthropology is very small. At any one time, a few hundred or thousand professionals may practice the science, but it is growing all the time, especially as more universities add the discipline to their curriculum. However, as of summer 2017, very few institutions offer psychological anthropology programs, fewer than 24, in fact.

Anthropologists, who focus mainly on research, don’t need a specific license, certification, or training to work in their fields. Fellowships or apprenticeships may make it more likely that a research institution or organization will hire a psychological anthropologist, but legally, no extra experience is required to seek employment. Psychologists who work at research institutions or play a supporting role under licensed psychologists also are not required to complete an internship or apprenticeship program or obtain licensure.

However, psychologists who plan to work with patients or clients must obtain a license. The requirements for licensure are different in every state or country, so those seeking it should check the specific rules in their area. Information for different jurisdictions can be found at The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards website. Typically, to sit the licensing exam, students first need to complete a specified number of academic hours and internship hours, followed by a clinical training period supervised by a licensed and practicing psychologist.

Certification is voluntary and allows the professional to engage in a more specific area of focus. Students and graduates can find out more about certification from school or professional organizations.

Psychological Anthropology Organizations & Associations

• Society for Psychological Anthropology

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for anthropologists, psychologists, and psychologists (all other) are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2023.