FunctionalismAnthropological Theory

IB AnthropologyUWC Costa Rica

Functionalism as a challenge…

• …to unilinear evolutionism and historical particularism

• Originally from Britain• Postponed search for origins (evolution

or diffusion)• Focused on role of culture traits and

practices in contemporary society• 2 strands of functionalism – A.R.

Radcliffe-Brown and B. Malinowski

Bronislaw Malinowski• Focused on present

rather than historical reconstruction

• Pioneering fieldwork among living people

• Considered father of Ethnography and Anthro Rock Star

Malinowskian Functionalism• Biocultural Functionalism• Functionalist in 2 senses

1. Believed all customs and instituions in society are integrated so if one changed, others would change as well. Thus, ethnographercould begin anywhere and eventually understand rest of the culture

2. Needs Functionalism: Human habe set of universal biological needs and customs develop to fulfil those needs. Thus, function of institution is role played in satisfying universal biological needs

Alfred Reginald Radcliffe-Brown

• History is important BUT anthro cannot hope to discover history of people without writing

• Trusted neither evolutionist or diffusionist reconstructions

Radcliffe-Brown and Synchronism

• Viewed all historical statements about non-literate people as conjectural

• Urged anthropologists to focus on role particular practices play in life of societies today

• Examined prominent role of mother’s brother among BaThonga of Mozambique

• Evolutionist priest had previously explained role of mother’s brother in this patrilineal society as a survival from time when descent rule had been matrilineal

Radcliffe-Brown and Synchronism

• AR-P believed history of BaThonga could only be conjectural – he explained role of mother’s brother in reference to institutions of present rather than past BaThonga society

• AR-P advocated anthro as SYNCHRONIC rather than DIACHRONIC discipline

Structural Functionalism• Term associated with Radcliffe-Brown and

Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard• Structural functionalism assumes that

customs/social practices exist to preserve the social structure

• Function of any practice is role it plays in maintaining system of which it is a part

• Biological Analogy• Criticised for an view constantly seeking to

see the best of all possible worlds