90 likes | 537 Views
Cultural Diversity . Chapter 2 section 2 Cultural Variation. George Murdock. Anthropologist Examined 100’s of different cultures. Looked for general traits that were common to all cultures. Compiled a list of over 65 Cultural Universals.
E N D
Cultural Diversity Chapter 2 section 2 Cultural Variation
George Murdock • Anthropologist • Examined 100’s of different cultures. • Looked for general traits that were common to all cultures. • Compiled a list of over 65 Cultural Universals. • Examples: Body adornment, cooking, dancing and family.
George Murdock • Stated that the make up of families varies from culture to culture. • The family ensures that new members will be added to society and cared for until old enough to fend for themselves. • Made the argument that in all cultures the purpose of families is the same.
Marvin Harris • Anthropologist • Wrote a book titled Cannibals and Kings. • Studied the religious prohibition in India against killing cows even when food shortages exist. • Suggested that this prohibition was related to the development of India’s agriculture. • Cows aren’t eaten but are widely used to plow the land for planting and for their milk. • Based upon this one can understand the need for the prohibition of killing cows.
Edwin Sutherland • Criminologist • Developed the idea or concept of Subculture, through his work on crime and juvenile delinquency. • In addition to deviant subcultures, sociologist today recognize age, gender, ethnic, religious, political, geographic, social-class, and occupational subcultures.
Edwin Sutherland • Example of Subculture • Chinatown in San Francisco • The Chinese use broad American traits, like going to public school, playing with toys, and working at similar jobs. • The culture of Chinatown includes Chinese language, specific foods, and celebrations not shared by most Americans. (Chinese New Year) (usually celebrated sometime in late January to mid February)
Margaret Mead • Anthropologist • Tried to determine if differences in basic temperments result mainly from inherited characteristics or from cultural influences. (nature vs. nurture) • She studied several small societies in New Guinea: The Arapesh and The Mundugumor • She determined that temperment is mainly the result of culture rather than biology. (Nurture sets the tone of the culture not nature)