Colvin's Anthropological Theories Quiz

Feminist theory is the correct answer because it aligns with the explanation provided. The theory aims to correct the male perspective of history by deconstructing the experience of a specific indigenous gender. Feminist theory focuses on understanding and addressing the social, political, and economic inequalities faced by women and other marginalized genders. It seeks to challenge and change traditional gender roles and power dynamics in society.

Karl Marx and James Clifford were not pioneers in Feminist theory. Karl Marx was a philosopher and economist known for his work on capitalism and socialism, while James Clifford was an anthropologist known for his work on cultural anthropology. Feminist theory, on the other hand, is a field of study that focuses on understanding and advocating for gender equality and women's rights. Pioneers in Feminist theory include figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft, Simone de Beauvoir, and Betty Friedan. Therefore, the statement is false.

Marx and Engels describe the wealthy as "bourgeois" and the working class as "proletariat". The term "bourgeois" refers to the capitalist class, who own the means of production and exploit the labor of the working class. On the other hand, "proletariat" refers to the working class, who do not own the means of production and have to sell their labor to survive. These terms are used to highlight the class struggle and inequality in capitalist societies.

Brianslaw Malinowski is the correct answer because he is known for developing the participant observation methodology in anthropology. He believed that in order to understand a culture, one must immerse themselves in it and observe the behaviors and interactions of the participants. Malinowski also incorporated functionalism into his work, which is the idea that every aspect of a culture serves a purpose and contributes to the overall functioning of society. Therefore, Malinowski fits the description of the theorist who created participant observation methodology and leveraged functionalism.

Cultural Ecology is the correct answer because it focuses on the relationship between culture and the environment. It examines how human behavior and cultural practices are shaped by the natural environment and resources available. This theory recognizes that the environment influences various aspects of culture, such as social organization, economic systems, and belief systems. It emphasizes the interdependence between humans and their environment and how this interaction shapes cultural patterns and behaviors.

Marxism is a sociological and economic theory that emphasizes the dialectic of class struggle. It argues that society is divided into two main classes, the bourgeoisie (the ruling class) and the proletariat (the working class), and that conflict between these classes is the driving force behind social change. Marxism also critiques capitalism and advocates for the establishment of a classless society where the means of production are owned collectively. This theory highlights the importance of economic factors and social inequality in shaping society.

Functionalism is not from two branches of Darwinism. Functionalism is actually a psychological theory that focuses on the function and purpose of mental processes and behavior. It emphasizes how these processes and behaviors help individuals adapt and survive in their environment. This theory is not directly related to Darwinism or evolutionary biology. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

Ruth Benedict is known for her studies of art, language, personality, and culture with performance. She was an American anthropologist who focused on understanding different cultures and their unique expressions through various forms such as art, language, and performance. Through her research, she aimed to gain insights into the diversity of human behavior and the ways in which culture shapes individuals and societies.

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Structuralism is a theory that describes binary opposites with a thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. This theory focuses on the underlying structures and systems that shape human behavior and culture. It seeks to understand the relationships between different elements and how they contribute to the overall structure of a society or culture. Structuralism analyzes the underlying patterns and rules that govern social and cultural phenomena, emphasizing the importance of language, symbols, and social structures in shaping human experience. Marxism, cultural evolution, and functionalism are different theories that do not specifically emphasize the analysis of binary opposites and synthesis in the same way as structuralism does.

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Alfred Kroeber is known for blending archaeology, linguistics, and cultural anthropology to integrate culture areas and cultural configuration. He is often referred to as the "Dean of American Anthropologists" due to his significant contributions to the field.

Culture and Personality refers to the idea that there is a relationship between a society's culture and the personality traits of its members. It suggests that certain cultural practices and beliefs shape individual personalities. However, the statement in question is incorrect. Customs unique to a society that meet the basic human needs are actually referred to as Material Culture. Culture and Personality is a different concept that focuses on the relationship between culture and individual personalities.

Post-Modernism is a movement that emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to Modernism. It rejects the idea of progress and challenges the principles of enlightenment and positivism. Post-Modernism questions the belief in objective truth and emphasizes subjectivity and individual experience. It also critiques the role of technology in society. Therefore, the statement that Post-Modernism deals with the age of enlightenment, positivism, technology, and progress is incorrect.

Modernism is the correct answer because it is a movement in art, literature, and social sciences that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Modernism challenged traditional beliefs and values, and it emphasized individualism, self-expression, and the exploration of new ideas and forms. The theory mentioned in the question, which claims an existential dilemma where social relations are both necessary and threatening, aligns with the ideas of modernism as it reflects the tensions and anxieties of the modern world.

Cultural Ecology is the correct answer because it is a theory that combines technology, livelihood strategies, and processual archaeology. It focuses on the relationship between human societies and their environment, examining how cultural practices and adaptations are influenced by ecological factors. By leveraging technology and studying the methods used by societies to sustain themselves, Cultural Ecology provides insights into the ways in which human societies interact with and shape their environment.

Cultural evolution refers to the process of cultural change over time. It suggests that cultures can transform from simple to complex forms, and this transformation can occur through either polygenesis (multiple independent origins) or a unilinear progression (a single line of development). This theory acknowledges that cultural changes can occur through various mechanisms and can result in diverse cultural outcomes.

Culture and Personality is the correct answer because it refers to a theory that emerged as a reaction to evolution and diffusionism. This theory suggests that culture is causally explicable by social happenings, emphasizing the influence of culture on individual personality development. It explores how cultural beliefs, values, and practices shape individuals' thoughts, behaviors, and identities. This theory highlights the reciprocal relationship between culture and personality, suggesting that individuals both shape and are shaped by their cultural context.

This theory, known as Cultural Evolution, encompasses two branches: cultural transmission and human behavior ecology. Cultural transmission refers to the process through which cultural information is passed down from one generation to the next, influencing behavior and beliefs. Human behavior ecology, on the other hand, focuses on how ecological factors shape human behavior and cultural practices. Together, these branches of Cultural Evolution provide a comprehensive understanding of how culture evolves and influences human behavior.

This theory suggests that symbols are important in understanding culture and their meanings. Symbols are seen as vehicles through which culture is expressed and understood. The theory also emphasizes the use of both emic and etic descriptions, which means looking at a culture from the perspective of insiders and outsiders. By analyzing rituals, which are symbolic actions, this theory argues that social conflicts can be revealed. Overall, the Symbolic and Interpretive Theory focuses on the significance of symbols and their role in understanding culture and social dynamics.

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