SOCIO-CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

History and Theory of Socio-cultural Anthropology

History and Theory of Socio-cultural Anthropology

Introduction

Although now considered a social or cultural anthropology, a subdiscipline of anthropology, historically comes from ethnology, which deals with collecting material for describing and interpreting the different cultures (Segal & Yanagisako, 2005). The study of ethnology originated in the nineteenth century, when scholars and historians for the first time sought to provide a systematic interpretation of the myths, traditions and customs of peoples outside Europe collected by explorers and missionaries first phase of the discipline, contemptuously called armchair anthropology by later generations, was characterized by the lack of direct contact between researchers and researched, and dedication to predominantly historical and genetic problems (Greenwood, 2005). The first generation theorists-including James Frazer and Edward Burnett Tylor - addressed the problem of dissemination of cultural elements, methods of transmission of cultural content and the development of alternative solutions to technological problems. In line with the philosophy positivist dominant theory of science of the time, the consensus leaned disciplinary assume that different cultures passed through a homologous series of stages in its evolution, even without necessarily having contact (Plankensteiner, Khittel & Hohenbalken, 2004).

Discussion

Anthropology refers to a vast field of study, with reference to human beings, try to approach it in its complex biological and cultural reality (Plankensteiner, Khittel & Hohenbalken, 2004). The very name of this science, consisting of a Greek prefix and a suffix, it is suggesting. There is no doubt that with this name, anthropology meets the requirement under study have a concrete and well defined: the human being. However, this is a subject so vast that it would be unaffordable. This explains why there are different sectors within general anthropology, each of which adjective differently. When we refer to sociocultural anthropology, and adjective, we are referring to human beings studied as part of a social group and as part of a culture (Segal & Yanagisako, 2005). In fact, we are making reference to similar situations since, as discussed in the development of the topics that follow, human groups have a culture that provides an image or, if you will, an identity, thanks to the culture that characterizes.

Cultural anthropologist studies all cultures, whether tribal or corporate complex of civilized nations. Examines all types of behavior, rational or irrational (Stevens & Szafran, 2011). Consider all aspects of a culture, including financial and technical resources used versus the natural environment, modes of relationship with other men or special religious and artistic experiences. Not only examines the activities for the various aspects of particular interest but their mutual relations, for example, the relationship between family structure and economic forces or between religious and social groups. One of the main themes of cultural anthropology, therefore, is the relationship between the universal traits of human nature and how it is expressed in different cultures (Plankensteiner, Khittel & Hohenbalken, 2004). The study of the reasons for cultural differences-motivated environmental or historical, and organization of these global systems has also addressed many of the efforts of the ...