Ruth Benedict, a prominent figure in the field of anthropology, made significant contributions with her theory of "Culture and Personality." This theory suggests that individual personality traits are heavily influenced by cultural factors, rather than being innate or biologically predetermined.
Cultural Materialism, a theoretical framework originally coined by anthropologist Marvin Harris, provides an insightful perspective for examining socio-cultural phenomena. As a research strategy, it uses the material conditions of life, specifically the production and reproduction of life, to illuminate cultural practices and beliefs.
The Civilizational School of Thought in anthropology offers an expansive view of cultures and societies by studying them in the context of their broader civilization. Unlike conventional approaches that may focus on specific communities or tribes, this school of thought emphasizes
The culture of poverty theory, first postulated by Oscar Lewis in the 1960s, proposes that poverty is not solely an economic issue, but also a cultural one. According to this theory, the poor are not simply victims of economic circumstances but also maintain a set of values, beliefs, and behaviors that perpetuate their impoverished condition.
Post-modernism, a term used to describe the intellectual trend that became widely known in various academic fields during the late 20th century, also found its way into anthropology. It provided a new approach to understanding societies and cultures, challenging the established paradigms, and bringing new perspectives to the discipline.
Structuralism, originally developed by anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss in the mid-20th century, revolutionized the way we understand culture, language, and society.
Structural Functionalism, is a framework in sociology and anthropology that interprets society as a structure with interdependent parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals that compose it.
Functionalism is a prominent theoretical perspective in sociology that attempts to explain social phenomena in terms of the roles they perform within a society. Conceptually, it views society as a complex system where all parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.
Diffusionism, in anthropology, refers to a school of thought which poscribes that cultural traits and ideas spread from a central point of origin, influencing and transforming other cultures across the globe.
Historical particularism underpins the idea that each society has its own unique historical development, shaped by specific processes rather than universal laws. Boas advocated against ethnocentric and Eurocentric models of studying cultures, emphasizing the intrinsic value of each culture's individual trajectory.
Classical Evolutionism forms the cornerstone of anthropology and social sciences, and delves into the progression of human society. It is a theory positing that societies develop linearly, advancing from simpler to more complex structures.
