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Key Theorists in Cultural Anthropology

The document outlines key thinkers in anthropology, their dates, schools of thought, main works, and key ideas. It covers various theories such as Classical Evolutionism, Diffusionism, Functionalism, Cultural Relativism, and more, highlighting how culture evolves, spreads, and is shaped by different factors. Each thinker contributes unique perspectives on the study of culture and society.

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Sunny K
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10 views1 page

Key Theorists in Cultural Anthropology

The document outlines key thinkers in anthropology, their dates, schools of thought, main works, and key ideas. It covers various theories such as Classical Evolutionism, Diffusionism, Functionalism, Cultural Relativism, and more, highlighting how culture evolves, spreads, and is shaped by different factors. Each thinker contributes unique perspectives on the study of culture and society.

Uploaded by

Sunny K
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Thinker Dates School Main Work (Type) Key Idea

Edward B. 1832– Classical Evolutionism Primitive Culture (1871) — Culture evolves from simple to
Tylor 1917 Book complex; culture as a universal
human trait.

Lewis Henry 1818– Classical Evolutionism Ancient Society (1877) — Book Stages of cultural evolution:
Morgan 1881 Savagery → Barbarism →
Civilization.

James Frazer 1854– Classical Evolutionism The Golden Bough (1890) — Comparative study of magic,
1941 Book religion, myth in different
societies.

Friedrich 1844– Diffusionism Anthropogeography (1882) — Culture spreads by migration &


Ratzel 1904 Book contact — “Kulturkreis” idea.

Leo Frobenius 1873– German Diffusionism Culture Circles Theory — Cultures spread in circles from
1938 Theory cultural centers.

Grafton Elliot 1871– British Diffusionism Hyperdiffusionism — Theory Ancient Egypt as source of most
Smith 1937 cultural innovations.

Franz Boas 1858– Historical The Mind of Primitive Man No universal stages; each
1942 Particularism & (1911) — Book culture must be studied on its
Cultural Relativism own terms.

Bronislaw 1884– Functionalism Argonauts of the Western Fieldwork method; participant


Malinowski 1942 Pacific (1922) — Book observation; all cultural traits
serve a function.

A.R. Radcliffe- 1881– Structural Structure and Function in Society as a system; institutions
Brown 1955 Functionalism Primitive Society (1952) — maintain social order.
Book

Claude Lévi- 1908– Structuralism The Savage Mind (1962) — Human thought has universal
Strauss 2009 Book structures that shape myths &
kinship.

Margaret 1901– Cultural Relativism Coming of Age in Samoa Culture shapes personality;
Mead 1978 (1928) — Book adolescence is culturally
relative.

Ruth Benedict 1887– Cultural Relativism Patterns of Culture (1934) — Cultures are integrated wholes
1948 Book with unique patterns.

Julian Steward 1902– Cultural Ecology Cultural Ecology Theory — Environment shapes culture;
1972 Theory adaptation to surroundings.

Marvin Harris 1927– Cultural Materialism Cultural Materialism (1979) — Material conditions (economy,
2001 Book resources) shape cultural
beliefs.

Clifford Geertz 1926– Interpretive The Interpretation of Cultures Culture is a web of meanings;
2006 Anthropology (1973) — Book “thick description”.

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