Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of a theory in socio-cultural anthropology?
To explain known facts and allow predictions about phenomena.
What is social evolution also known as?
Unilineal Evolution
Who proposed the social evolution theory?
What stages did social evolutionists classify different societies into?
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What phrase did Herbert Spencer invent?
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Social evolution theories relied on first-hand data collection.
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What view did Eugenicists apply from Spencer's theory?
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What does diffusionism explain?
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Who established the theory of historical particularism?
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What is a key premise of functionalism in anthropology?
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Who are regarded as the forerunners of functionalism?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Theories in Socio-Cultural Anthropology
- Theories explain known facts, allowing predictions about phenomena.
- They are essential for scientific inquiry, guiding research and analysis.
- Theories that fail to explain phenomena adequately may be revised or replaced.
Main Theories in Socio-Cultural Anthropology
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Social Evolution
- Known as Unilineal Evolution; emerged in the 19th Century.
- Proposes a universal cultural evolutionary order, where societies develop at different rates.
- Key figures: E.B. Tylor, Lewis Henry Morgan, Herbert Spencer.
- Relied on second-hand data from traders and missionaries rather than direct observation.
- Societies categorized into stages: savagery, barbarism, and civilization, with Western societies ranked highest.
- Criticized for simplification, ethnocentrism, and reliance on racist ideologies.
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Social Darwinism
- Associated with Herbert Spencer, who introduced the term "survival of the fittest."
- Argues that warfare promotes societal evolution; societies engaged in conflict are deemed more evolved.
- Opposes social policies aiding the poor; led to eugenics movements that misapplied his theories.
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Diffusionism
- Developed in the early 20th Century; explains cultural similarities through societal borrowing of traits.
- Suggests cultural traits spread across societies, explaining commonalities in civilizations (e.g., Egypt, Greece, Rome).
- Criticized for ethnocentrism, viewing non-Western societies as inferior.
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Historical Particularism
- Established by Franz Boas to counter social evolutionism.
- Emphasizes the unique historical contexts of societies, advocating for empirical ethnographic research.
- Leads to cultural relativism, understanding societies on their own terms, informed by specific history and environment.
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Functionalism
- Pioneered by Herbert Spencer and Émile Durkheim; views culture as a cohesive whole rather than isolated traits.
- Analogous to a human body with interconnected organs, where each part contributes to overall functioning.
- Focuses on how different cultural aspects impact one another, emphasizing societal interconnectedness.
Forces Shaping Anthropological Theories
- Evolving societal paradigms and historical contexts influenced theory formation.
- Responses to Eurocentric views led to alternative explanations by minority scholars.
- Technological advancements enabled empirical field research, transforming study methods.
Characteristics and Types of Anthropological Research Methods
- Ethnographic research includes participant observation, interviews, and immersive studies.
- Emphasizes cultural contexts and complexities over simple classification.
- Utilizes qualitative data to gain deeper insights into human behaviors and social structures.
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Description
This quiz explores the foundational theories in socio-cultural anthropology, including Social Evolution and Social Darwinism. It examines how these theories were developed, their key figures, and their criticisms. Test your understanding of these significant concepts and their impacts on the field.
