If a native informant told an ethnographer that his or her community practiced certain rituals in order to prevent illnesses caused by spirits or ancestors, the informant would be providing an etic explanation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An etic explanation is one that is provided by an outside observer, not by a member of the community being studied. The informant is providing an emic explanation, which is an insider's perspective on cultural practices.

If a Native Informant Told an Ethnographer That His or Her