Instruction:
Question #1. Explain the concept of unilinear cultural evolution highlighting the role of Tylor and Morgan.
Question #2. Explain how personality impacts the culture of a society. Explain the contribution of Ruth Benedict in culture and personality school.
(Examiner will pay special attention to the candidate's grasp of his/her material, its relevance to the subject chosen, and to his/ her ability to think constructively and to present his/her ideas concisely, logically and effectively).
Question #1. Explain the concept of unilinear cultural evolution highlighting the role of Tylor and Morgan.
Introduction:
The changes are taking place in the manifold aspects of culture including, technology, economy, social institutions, art, and literature. Differences of opinion exist among anthropologists regarding the evolution of culture. These differences in perception led to multiple theories of cultural evolution. All the theories related to cultural evolution are collectively known as cultural evolutionism in Anthropology.
Cultural Evolution may be defined as a process by which different successive forms in the socio-cultural institution or culture of humankind are developed over different periods of time.
Classical Evolutionism:
Features of Classical Evolutionism:
British Classical Evolutionism: E B Tylor (1832-1917):
Savagery ???? Barbarism ???? Civilisation
Stone Age ???? Bronze Age ???? Iron Age
Magic ???? Religion ???? Science
James Frazer views, that all societies progress through three successive stages of evolution. These are magic, religion, and science. The primitive human was unaware of things happening around them. They believed magic can control everything including nature.
American Classical Evolutionism: L H Morgan (1818–1881)
Further, he received the information that the Tamils in India used a classificatory system, which led Morgan to conclude that the American Indian tribes were of Asiatic origin.
Conclusion:
Classical evolutionists are classified into two - classical evolutionists and neo-evolutionists. The main proponents of classical evolutionism are E B Tylor, James Frazer, R R Marret, L H Morgan, J J Bachofen and Adolf Bastian. They are also known as unilineal evolutionists and the culture of humankind is developed over different periods of time.
Question #2. Explain how personality impacts the culture of a society. Explain the contribution of Ruth Benedict in culture and personality school.
Introduction:
Culture according to this school of thought is acquired, imitated, and learned. It gives rise to character formation or development of personality traits before the period of adolescence.
Personality refers to the integrated and dynamic organisation of physical, mental, and social qualities of an individual as that manifests itself to the other people in the give and take of social life. It is a more or less consistent behaviour pattern of an individual.
The emergence of the Concept:
The Culture and Personality movement was at the core of anthropology in the first half of the 20th century. It examined the interaction between psychological and cultural forces at work on the human experience.
Culture and Personality were too divided to really be considered a school of thought. It had no orthodox viewpoint, centralized leadership, or coherent training program (LeVine 2001).
However, there were also some basic ideas with which most practitioners would agree. At a minimum, these would include:
Characteristics of the Personality:
While we talk about personality, we have certain notions that it is related to the outward appearance and performance of an individual. But personality has certain other characteristics:
Culture and Personality School of thought:
Personality Builds Culture- Ruth Benedict:
Apollonian: The word apollonian is from the Greek god Apollo, the peaceful sun deity. Apollo is regarded as the god of peace, discipline, kindness, and humanity by the Greek people. Thus, in the apollonian pattern of culture, one finds the existence of peace, kindness, and discipline. Benedict cites the example of the Pueblo of New Mexico as the representative of Apollonian culture.
Dionysian: The word Dionysian is derived from the name of the Greek god Dionysius. Dionysius is the symbol of luxurious life and drinking. In the Dionysian culture, a lot of storms and changes are experienced. Benedict cites the example of Dobu and Kwakiutl cultures of the North West coast of America as the representatives of Dionysian genius.
Dobu of Melanesia is exactly in contrast with the Pueblo in character and temperament. Among them occurred frequently conflict, competition, and violence. They usually used magic to harm others. People of Kwakiutl do not believe in religious practices.
Conclusion:
In their culture, wealth determines status and prestige. Everyone becomes busy earning money in one way or another. Those with less money feel ashamed on account of it. Benedict’s study clearly reveals the influence of personality on culture. The cultures of these groups differ because their members have different characters and personalities. Accordingly, they behave in cultural groups.
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