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Anthropology Notes

The document outlines key anthropological theories including Evolutionism, Diffusionism, Historical Particularism, and others, each with its main ideas, key thinkers, and criticisms. It highlights the evolution of human culture, the role of environment and material conditions, and the subjective nature of cultural interpretation. The document also contrasts unilinear and multilinear evolution theories in anthropology.

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40 views3 pages

Anthropology Notes

The document outlines key anthropological theories including Evolutionism, Diffusionism, Historical Particularism, and others, each with its main ideas, key thinkers, and criticisms. It highlights the evolution of human culture, the role of environment and material conditions, and the subjective nature of cultural interpretation. The document also contrasts unilinear and multilinear evolution theories in anthropology.

Uploaded by

itz xubez Zubair
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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■ Anthropology Notes (Simple &

Student-Friendly)

➤ Evolutionism
Idea: Human culture evolves step by step from simple to complex.

Key Thinkers:
• Classical Evolutionists (Unilinear): Morgan, Tylor, Frazer
• Neo-Evolutionists (Multilinear): Leslie White, Julian Steward
Criticism/Note: Criticism: Too simplistic, Eurocentric

➤ Diffusionism
Idea: Cultures develop by borrowing and spreading traits from one society to another.

Key Thinkers:
• Grafton Elliot Smith: Egypt origin theory
• W.H.R. Rivers: diffusion explains similarities
Criticism/Note: Criticism: Overemphasized borrowing, ignored independent invention

➤ Historical Particularism
Idea: Each culture has its own unique history; no universal stages.

Key Thinkers:
• Franz Boas (Father of American Anthropology)
Criticism/Note: Think of cultures as individual stories, not one path

➤ Functionalism
Idea: Culture exists because it serves functions for people (survival, social order).

Key Thinkers:
• Malinowski: culture meets basic human needs
• Radcliffe-Brown: culture maintains social structure
Criticism/Note: Criticism: Ignores cultural change
➤ Structural Functionalism
Idea: Society is like a living body – all parts work together to keep it stable.

Key Thinkers:
• Radcliffe-Brown
Criticism/Note: Criticism: Couldn’t explain change, only stability

➤ Culture and Personality School


Idea: Culture shapes individual personalities, and personalities reflect culture.

Key Thinkers:
• Margaret Mead
• Ruth Benedict
Criticism/Note: Example: child-rearing differences across cultures

➤ Cultural Ecology
Idea: Culture evolves by adapting to the environment.

Key Thinkers:
• Julian Steward
Criticism/Note: Example: Desert people develop water-saving techniques

➤ Materialism
Idea: Material conditions (economy, environment, technology) shape culture more than
ideas.

Key Thinkers:
• Karl Marx: economic base → superstructure
• Marvin Harris: cultural materialism
Criticism/Note: Focuses on material over ideas

➤ Structuralism
Idea: Human minds think in binary opposites (life/death, male/female).

Key Thinkers:
• Claude Lévi-Strauss
Criticism/Note: Example: myths/folklore use opposites

➤ Symbolic/Interpretive Anthropology
Idea: Culture is a system of symbols and meanings.

Key Thinkers:
• Clifford Geertz: thick description
• Victor Turner
Criticism/Note: Example: Wedding ring = symbol of commitment

➤ Postmodernism
Idea: No single truth about culture; all views are partial and subjective.

Key Thinkers:
• James Clifford
• George Marcus
Criticism/Note: Anthropology as storytelling, not a single science

■ Diagram: Evolution Theories


Unilinear Evolution Multilinear Evolution
One single path for all societies (savagery → barbarism → civilization)
Different paths based on environment & resources

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