Question

Biological anthropologists studied the relationship between stress and female reproduction in a rural community in Guatemala. The researchers collected regular urine samples from women over the course of 1 year. Stress hormone and reproductive hormone levels from the samples were measured to determine a possible relationship between stress and reproductive function. Results suggest that stress may negatively impact reproductive health.
1. What is the primary type of biological anthropology addressed in this research?
2. Does the research also touch on topics that might be relevant to researchers in disciplines outside anthropology, such as biology or psychology? If so, which ones?

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Human behavioral ecology

B. Yes, this research may shed light on the mechanisms involved in human reproduction

Explanation:

Biological anthropology can be defined as a discipline that investigates human behavior in an evolutionary context. This research field is composed of several subdisciplines including, among others, evolutionary biology, forensic anthropology, evolutionary psychology, paleoanthropology, etc. The case above described refers to human behavioral ecology, which is also considered to be a subdiscipline of biological anthropology. This study case may also provide important information about what hormones may affect reproduction in humans, thereby having implications in reproductive medicine