Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the paradigm known as unilineal cultural evolution argue?
What does the paradigm known as unilineal cultural evolution argue?
- Western civilization is considered the most advanced evolutionary stage. (correct)
- Human societies have evolved along multiple developmental trajectories.
- All cultures develop independently of one another.
- Cultural evolution is random and unpredictable.
What is the term for the position held by Franz Boas regarding cultural uniqueness?
What is the term for the position held by Franz Boas regarding cultural uniqueness?
Historical particularism
How did the 19th-century comparative method view cultural diversity?
How did the 19th-century comparative method view cultural diversity?
As an evolutionary sequence representing different stages of progress.
What philosophical movement are unilineal cultural evolution and the comparative method rooted in?
What philosophical movement are unilineal cultural evolution and the comparative method rooted in?
What effect did the 19th-century comparative method have on the perception of 'primitive' peoples?
What effect did the 19th-century comparative method have on the perception of 'primitive' peoples?
What is the process through which some individuals survive and reproduce at higher rates?
What is the process through which some individuals survive and reproduce at higher rates?
In John Lubbock's influential archaeology textbook, what did he argue about contemporary 'primitives'?
In John Lubbock's influential archaeology textbook, what did he argue about contemporary 'primitives'?
What justification did 19th-century social Darwinism provide?
What justification did 19th-century social Darwinism provide?
What type of society is characterized by egalitarianism, low population density, and flexible membership?
What type of society is characterized by egalitarianism, low population density, and flexible membership?
What type of society is defined by high population density and social organization based on class membership?
What type of society is defined by high population density and social organization based on class membership?
What is the main difference between modern cultural evolutionary paradigms and 19th-century unilineal evolutionism?
What is the main difference between modern cultural evolutionary paradigms and 19th-century unilineal evolutionism?
What constitutes a civilization in anthropological terms?
What constitutes a civilization in anthropological terms?
Egalitarian societies are associated with , while chiefdoms and states are associated with.
Egalitarian societies are associated with , while chiefdoms and states are associated with.
Which of the following is not a major independent hearth of plant domestication?
Which of the following is not a major independent hearth of plant domestication?
What is the oasis theory?
What is the oasis theory?
What is the hilly flanks theory?
What is the hilly flanks theory?
What does the density-equilibrium theory explain?
What does the density-equilibrium theory explain?
A(n) ____________ perspective demonstrates that domestication began with wild plants of low return rates.
A(n) ____________ perspective demonstrates that domestication began with wild plants of low return rates.
What period marks the beginning of the use of ground stone tools and domesticated crops in the Near East?
What period marks the beginning of the use of ground stone tools and domesticated crops in the Near East?
Which factors likely contributed to the origins of agriculture?
Which factors likely contributed to the origins of agriculture?
What hypothesis suggests that irrigation was responsible for archaic states' origins?
What hypothesis suggests that irrigation was responsible for archaic states' origins?
What does the warfare and circumscription hypothesis explain regarding state origins?
What does the warfare and circumscription hypothesis explain regarding state origins?
How many people lived in the lowland Maya area during the Classic period?
How many people lived in the lowland Maya area during the Classic period?
Which statement about Maya kings is true?
Which statement about Maya kings is true?
What were Maya hieroglyphics primarily used to record?
What were Maya hieroglyphics primarily used to record?
Which two calendar types in the Maya civilization overlap every 52 years?
Which two calendar types in the Maya civilization overlap every 52 years?
What factors likely explain the formation of the Maya state?
What factors likely explain the formation of the Maya state?
What factors contributed to the collapse of culture on Rapa Nui?
What factors contributed to the collapse of culture on Rapa Nui?
What is the difference between sufficient and necessary conditions in an explanation?
What is the difference between sufficient and necessary conditions in an explanation?
Why does archaeology construct specific historical sequences?
Why does archaeology construct specific historical sequences?
When analyzing the origins of agriculture, what do paradigms contribute?
When analyzing the origins of agriculture, what do paradigms contribute?
A basic knowledge of plant reproduction is ________________ for an agriculturalist.
A basic knowledge of plant reproduction is ________________ for an agriculturalist.
What does anthropology think about the paradigm of unilineal cultural evolution?
What does anthropology think about the paradigm of unilineal cultural evolution?
What does ethnocentrism mean?
What does ethnocentrism mean?
Egalitarian societies are associated with _________ and ____________.
Egalitarian societies are associated with _________ and ____________.
What does 'archaic' refer to in relation to states?
What does 'archaic' refer to in relation to states?
Once archaeological data began to accumulate, archaeologists shifted their attention from _________________ of plant and animal domestication to ____________.
Once archaeological data began to accumulate, archaeologists shifted their attention from _________________ of plant and animal domestication to ____________.
What evidence has ethnographic research found regarding hunters and gatherers?
What evidence has ethnographic research found regarding hunters and gatherers?
A basic knowledge of plant reproduction is necessary for an agriculturalist, but such knowledge is not sufficient to inspire all foragers to transform into agriculturalists.
A basic knowledge of plant reproduction is necessary for an agriculturalist, but such knowledge is not sufficient to inspire all foragers to transform into agriculturalists.
John Lubbock's influential archaeology textbook Prehistoric Times (1865) led to the belief that contemporary 'primitives' were living relics of prehistory.
John Lubbock's influential archaeology textbook Prehistoric Times (1865) led to the belief that contemporary 'primitives' were living relics of prehistory.
The comparative method of 19th-century social science took diversity in cultures and put them in an evolutionary sequence.
The comparative method of 19th-century social science took diversity in cultures and put them in an evolutionary sequence.
Although unilineal cultural evolution collapsed under the assault by Boas and his students, archaeological data show strong regularities in human cultural evolution.
Although unilineal cultural evolution collapsed under the assault by Boas and his students, archaeological data show strong regularities in human cultural evolution.
Prior to about 12,000 years ago, all humans lived in chiefdoms.
Prior to about 12,000 years ago, all humans lived in chiefdoms.
To an archaeologist, 'civilization' refers only to those cultures with writing systems.
To an archaeologist, 'civilization' refers only to those cultures with writing systems.
Agriculture developed only once roughly 10,000 years ago in the Near East.
Agriculture developed only once roughly 10,000 years ago in the Near East.
The density equilibrium model argues that people will adopt domesticated plants whenever exposed to them.
The density equilibrium model argues that people will adopt domesticated plants whenever exposed to them.
Optimal foraging theory operates on the principle that humans will select foods offering high return rates.
Optimal foraging theory operates on the principle that humans will select foods offering high return rates.
Evidence supporting Unilineal Evolution includes the rapid adoption of agriculture by hunter-gatherers.
Evidence supporting Unilineal Evolution includes the rapid adoption of agriculture by hunter-gatherers.
Archaic state formation did not occur anywhere until roughly AD 500.
Archaic state formation did not occur anywhere until roughly AD 500.
Ideology masks exploitative relations between classes or social groups.
Ideology masks exploitative relations between classes or social groups.
Flashcards
Unilineal Cultural Evolution
Unilineal Cultural Evolution
A theory suggesting that all societies progress through a single, linear path of development, with Western civilization seen as the pinnacle.
Historical Particularism
Historical Particularism
Franz Boas' theory emphasizing that each culture develops uniquely through its own historical experiences, not through a fixed progression.
19th Century Comparative Method
19th Century Comparative Method
Early anthropology aimed at classifying cultures based on their assumed 'evolutionary stage,' which later shifted towards testing hypotheses about cultural variation.
Enlightenment Philosophy
Enlightenment Philosophy
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Colonial Justification
Colonial Justification
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Natural Selection
Natural Selection
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John Lubbock's Perspective
John Lubbock's Perspective
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Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism
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Boas and Cultural Diversity
Boas and Cultural Diversity
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Tribes
Tribes
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States
States
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Modern Cultural Evolution
Modern Cultural Evolution
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Civilization
Civilization
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Agriculture Origins
Agriculture Origins
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Oasis Theory
Oasis Theory
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Hilly Flanks Theory
Hilly Flanks Theory
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Density-Equilibrium Theory
Density-Equilibrium Theory
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Neolithic Period
Neolithic Period
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Factors Impacting Agriculture Origins
Factors Impacting Agriculture Origins
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Rise of Archaic States
Rise of Archaic States
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Irrigation Hypothesis
Irrigation Hypothesis
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Warfare and Circumscription Hypothesis
Warfare and Circumscription Hypothesis
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Lowland Maya Population
Lowland Maya Population
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Maya Kings and Culture
Maya Kings and Culture
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Rapa Nui Collapse
Rapa Nui Collapse
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Cultural Transition Mechanisms
Cultural Transition Mechanisms
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Knowledge in Agriculture
Knowledge in Agriculture
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Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism
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Archaic vs. Modern States
Archaic vs. Modern States
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Archaeology's Shifting Focus
Archaeology's Shifting Focus
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Ethnographic Evidence
Ethnographic Evidence
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True/False Statements
True/False Statements
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Study Notes
Unilineal Cultural Evolution
- Proposes a single developmental trajectory of human societies, viewing Western civilization as the pinnacle of evolution.
- Critiqued for its implication that non-Western societies are "primitive" and less evolved.
Historical Particularism
- Franz Boas' perspective emphasizing that each culture evolves through its unique historical circumstances and developments.
- Stresses the influence of chance and specific contexts in cultural change.
19th Century Comparative Method
- Initially involved creating an evolutionary hierarchy of cultures based on cultural diversity.
- Shifted towards hypothesis testing against cultural variations in contemporary anthropology.
Enlightenment Philosophy
- Both unilineal cultural evolution and the comparative method drew heavily from Enlightenment thought, promoting rationality and scientific inquiry.
Colonial Justification
- The 19th-century comparative method contributed to legitimizing European colonialism, framing the domination of "primitive" societies as a natural order.
Natural Selection
- Describes the process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, influencing genetic evolution.
John Lubbock's Perspective
- Argued in "Prehistoric Times" that living "primitives" provide insights into early human conditions, supporting the view of cultural evolution as linear.
Social Darwinism
- Provided a rationale for economic competition and warfare in the 19th century, linking survival of the fittest to societal success.
Boas and Cultural Diversity
- Boas and his students opposed unilineal evolution, emphasizing the uniqueness of all cultures and prioritizing detailed ethnographic studies.
Types of Societies
- Tribes: Characterized by egalitarian foraging with resource sharing and flexible membership.
- States: Defined by high population density, class divisions, specialized roles, and elite resource control.
Modern Cultural Evolution
- Focuses on ecological and technological influences on cultural evolution, distancing itself from the racist ideas of the past.
- Recognizes the complexity of cultural behavior beyond biological determinism.
Civilization Definition
- Refers to a complex urban society with advanced cultural achievements, specialized labor, resource surpluses, and social hierarchies.
Agricultural Developments
- Major independent centers for plant domestication exclude Australia; centers include regions in the Americas and the Fertile Crescent.
- Oasis Theory (V. Gordon Childe): Suggests animal domestication arose due to water scarcity pushing animals and humans together.
- Hilly Flanks Theory (Robert Braidwood): Proposes agriculture resulted from efforts to enhance food stability near wild grain origins.
- Density-Equilibrium Theory (Binford): Attributes agriculture to population growth surpassing available resources in hunting-gathering societies.
Neolithic Period
- Marked by the creation of ground stone tools, ceramics, and reliance on domesticated species.
Factors Impacting Agriculture Origins
- Climatic changes, population pressure, and human intentionality were crucial to the transition from foraging to farming.
Rise of Archaic States
- Karl Wittfogel's irrigation hypothesis connects large-scale irrigation to the emergence of political regulation and state formation.
- Warfare and circumscription hypothesis (Robert Carneiro) links state origins to population growth and limited resources leading to conflict.
- The lowland Maya, during the Classic period, experienced significant population growth, peaking at around 10 million.
Maya Kings and Culture
- Maya rulers claimed divine descent, exacting tribute and competing for power; they played crucial roles in maintaining cosmic order.
- Hieroglyphics served to document pivotal historical moments; the Maya constructed complex calendrical systems interlinking time.
Rapa Nui Collapse
- Contributing factors included ecological limitations, deforestation for housing, and predation by introduced species like rats.
Cultural Transition Mechanisms
- Archaeology seeks to identify necessary and sufficient conditions for cultural transitions by establishing historical sequences and patterns.
Knowledge in Agriculture
- A foundational understanding of plant reproduction is essential for agriculture but does not automatically transition foragers into farmers.
Discarding Unilineal Evolution
- Anthropology has moved beyond unilineal cultural evolution to embrace more nuanced understandings of culture.
Ethnocentrism
- Reflects the belief in the superiority of one's own culture, often leading to misinterpretations of other cultures.
Archaic vs. Modern States
- "Archaic" refers to ancient forms of social organization, distinct from contemporary industrial structures.
Archaeology's Evolving Focus
- Transitioned from "what and when" questions about domestication to understanding the "why" behind agricultural developments.
Ethnographic Evidence
- Studies show foragers often maintain hunting-gathering lifestyles despite knowledge of agriculture, indicating cultural preferences and adaptations.
True/False Statements
- General concepts and specifics about the nature of agricultural knowledge, cultural evolution, and archaeological interpretations illustrate broader anthropological principles.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts in cultural anthropology with this quiz based on Chapter 13 of ANTH 202. The focus is on influential theories such as unilineal cultural evolution and the contributions of Franz Boas. Prepare to explore the unique developmental paths of different cultures.
