Functionalism and Evolutionism in Anthropology

19th-century philosophical theory that studies society using principles of natural evolution. It proposes that society develops according to similar laws as nature.

Societies evolve through various stages, progressing from simple to complex forms. This process is influenced by both natural and social forces, and is considered universally applicable to all societies.

Herbert Spencer applied Darwin's ideas to society, viewing it as an organism evolving through stages of complexity. He believed society's development mirrored biological evolution.

Darwin's theory of natural selection, particularly the idea of adaptation for survival, significantly influenced Evolutionism. It provided a framework for analyzing social change.

Edward B. Tylor outlined stages of cultural evolution: savagery, barbarism, and civilization, which were used to classify societies based on their perceived developmental levels.

Evolutionists often used comparative methods to study different societies. They compared social traits and practices to identify stages of societal development.

Evolutionism faced criticism for simplifying social diversity, centering on Western societies (Eurocentrism), and lacking empirical data to support its claims.

Evolutionism faced criticism for its limited scope for empirical research, as its claims were often based on speculative interpretations and lacked rigorous anthropological fieldwork.

A perspective in anthropology that sees culture as a cohesive system where all elements contribute to society's functioning.

Culture is structured as a cohesive whole, with interdependent parts.

Culture provides ways to meet both biological and social needs, like finding food, shelter, or establishing social order.

Each element in a culture has a particular role, influencing and being influenced by other elements.

A Polish anthropologist who pioneered functionalist anthropology through field observations and direct experiences.

Cultural structures like family, economy, government, and religion fulfill needs and goals within the system.

Malinowski believed that our culture evolved to address basic human needs, fulfilling them in unique ways.

Functionalism utilizes participant observation and detailed ethnographic studies to understand cultural practices.

Assuming your own culture is superior to others, leading to misjudgment, undervaluing, and misrepresentation of different cultures.

The idea that European history and culture are the most important and should be considered the standard for judging all other cultures.

A perspective that encourages understanding and valuing different cultures without assuming superiority.

The influence of Eurocentrism in history and cultural education, highlighting European achievements while marginalizing other cultures.

A Polish sociologist who defined ethnocentrism as a natural, ingrained tendency to view one's own culture as superior.

The act of limiting or silencing contributions of non-European cultures in historical narratives.

The dominance of European perspectives in historical narratives, leading to the underrepresentation of other cultural and regional achievements.

Recognizing and valuing contributions from different cultures and regions, acknowledging their unique perspectives and experiences.

Diffusionism is a theory that explains cultural changes and similarities by looking at how ideas, practices, and things spread between different groups or societies.

Diffusionism studies how cultural traits move from one place to another, like the spread of a new technology or a specific language.

Cultural exchange is when societies interact and share customs, beliefs, or technologies. This can lead to both similarities and differences between cultures.

Evolutionism believes cultures develop in stages, while diffusionism focuses on how cultures borrow and spread traits from each other.

Diffusionism uses history to understand how ideas traveled through time to reach us today, tracing the movement of cultural traits.

People moving to new places can bring their customs and ideas with them, contributing to how cultures develop.

Diffusionist scholars might use methods like analyzing historical sources, comparing different cultures, or studying the spread of specific objects.

Some critics argue that diffusionism focuses too much on the spread of ideas from a single source and might overlook independent cultural development.