Cultural Anthropology Theories

Key question: Would living in the Arctic change one’s attitude toward eating seal?
Ethnocentrism: Belief that one's own culture is superior to others.

Cultural anthropologists develop theories based on evidence and often originate from a specific interest in a topic.
There is ongoing debate regarding the meanings of culture which leads to new theories and understandings.

Franz Boas: Pioneer of modern anthropology, introduced cultural relativism.
- Claims that cultures cannot be compared on a superior/inferior scale; each has internal rules.
- Example: A person born in the U.S. perceives Canada differently than someone raised in Canada.
- Encourages understanding cultures on their own terms and discourages snap judgments.
- Response to cultural evolutionism, which argued cultures develop from "savage" to "civilized", implying superiority.

Understanding that every belief/action in a culture serves a purpose to meet individual and societal needs.
Bronislaw Malinowski: Advocated for functional theory, observing social systems' interdependence.
- Example: The Kula Ring in the Trobriand Islands—a ceremonial exchange linking disparate individuals, fulfilling social and economic roles.

Marvin Harris: Introduced cultural materialism, focusing on environmental influences on culture (climate, food supply).
- Culture shapes and is shaped by material conditions.
- Society evolves based on trial-and-error; non-beneficial practices disappear.
Example: The Hindu sacred cow; its agricultural importance influences its sacred status.
Study by Maxine Margolis: Women's entry into the workforce post-WWII was a response to material conditions rather than ideological changes.

Infrastructure: Material resources like technology, population, and land availability.
Structure: Social systems including familial, political, and economic frameworks.
Superstructure: Ideas, values, symbols, and religions of a society.

Postmodernism asserts that objective truth is unattainable and that knowledge is shaped by societal constructs.
Rejects the detached study of subjects; the anthropologist's relationship with informants matters.
Reflexivity: Researchers must acknowledge the impact of personal biases.
Example: Sam Dunn's studies in heavy metal culture show how his insider perspective influences his work.

Women in Politics: Feminists might argue that systemic barriers prevent women's equal representation. Functionalists may attribute this to traditional gender roles established historically.
Cultural Materialism vs. Postmodernism: Cultural materialists focus on material conditions shaping ideology, whereas postmodernists emphasize the role of language and perspective in cultural constructions.
Interpreting Labor Division: Cultural materialists would look at labor shifts via material changes while feminists might critique the underlying gender inequalities reflected in labor divisions.

Subculture: A smaller group within a larger culture with distinct values, beliefs, or lifestyle.
Reflexivity: The practice of reflecting on one’s own biases and perspectives in research.