Schools Of Thought Flashcards
American Cultural Anthropology
Is the overreaching paradigm within American anthropology begging in the early 20th century. Generally views culture as shaping structure instead of focusing on how society functions as the see-able aspect of culture. Began with Franz Boas’s ideas of historical particular-ism as a move away from Unlinieal Evolution-ism. Also marked a methodological change towards field work. This broad school also encompasses Psychological ANTH (Mead, Bennedict), Area Studies (Kroeber), Cultural Ecology (Steward), Cultural Materialism, & Interpretive Anthropology (Geertz).
French Structural ANTH
Overreaching paradigm within French Anthropology in the early 20th century, led by Claude Levi-Strauss and greatly influencing other Euro ANTH. Focused on how societies maintain social solidarity through mental structures of logic. This school heavily built off of Durkheim’s idea of organic solidarity as well as Mauss’ concepts of reciprocity (the gift).
British Social ANTH
The Overreaching Paradigm within 20th century British anthropology following and breaking with 19th century Uni-lineal Cultural Evolution-ism. Focused on society rather than culture. Began by Malinowski and Radcliffe-Brown. Marked a methodological change towards Field World.
Cultural Historicism/ Historical Particular-ism
An approach to Anthropological study that is committed to comprehend history without theoretical preconceptions and to demonstrate the power of culture over biology (nurture over nature). Was started by Franz Boas ( often reffered to as Boasian ANTH) Against a comparative method and more focused on following each cultures’ own histories without ranking or judging.
Positivisim
the philosophy that science should be objective, value-free and that this is the preferred way of knowing. Characterized early anthropology especially evolutionary anthropology.
Unilineal Cultural Evolution-ism
Study of cultures as an evolutionary process that can be measured and compared. Involves multiple theories on cultural stages and progressions including Lewis Henry Morgan’s famous Ethical Periods model. Tended to be very Ethnocentric
Armchair Anthropology
A term used to refer to early anthropology that was based on written accounts as opposed to field work. Typical of Evolutionary anthropology. Common sources came from missionaries, colonial agents, and merchants. This approach was entirely Etic.
Functionalism
is the analysis of what function some part or aspect (activity, pattern) of society plays in the maintenance of a society/system. Based on the believe that practices are rational within own context. Is syncratic (describing what can be seen. Is also comparative - looking for universal patterns and cultural specifics. Does not look at change but views culture statically. Paradigm created by Bronislaw Malinowski.
Structuralism
the concern with the elementary forms of minds and culture - typically as binaries. Looking at how the mind structures society. Basis of French Structural ANTH.
Area Studies
idea of Alfred Kroeber (student of Boas - American Cultural ANTH). Based on the theory that historical particular-ism was limited because it failed to see connection of patterns between cultures, it is the idea that environments affect culture and that therefore cultures within similar environments contain similarities. Cultural areas are geographic areas that promote particular cultural similarities.
Cultural Ecology
An expansion of area studies, in the theory that physical environment influence culture. Sees culture as adaptations to the physical environment. Takes a very scientific and Positivist approach looking for laws and causalities. searching for cultural cores - what mediates the environment and humans.
Cultural Materialism
Marvin Harris’s multi-lineal evolutionary theory of culture that combines cultural ecology and British functionalism. Sees societies as following a universal patters of infrastructure, structure, and superstructure, and identifies culture as societies adaptions to their environments.
Psychological Anthropology
theory belonging to the school of American Cultural Anthropology - headed by Margaret Mead and Ruth Benedict. Sees distinct cultures as molding individual personalities within a society through enculturation.
Interpretive Approach
Part of the broad school of American Cultural ANTH - Headed by Clifford Greetz. Is the view that culture can only be understood by an emic point of view. Considers culture a text that anthropologists cannot not objectively know but can decipher webs of significance.
