key term - Cultural Evolutionism

Definition

Cultural evolutionism is a theoretical framework that suggests cultures develop and change over time through a process of evolutionary stages, similar to biological evolution. This perspective emphasizes the idea that societies progress through defined phases, ranging from simple to complex forms, and seeks to understand how cultural practices, technologies, and social structures evolve in response to environmental challenges and opportunities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cultural evolutionism emerged in the 19th century as anthropologists sought to explain cultural change through a scientific lens.
2. Key figures associated with cultural evolutionism include Edward Burnett Tylor and Lewis Henry Morgan, who proposed models of cultural development.
3. This framework has been criticized for its ethnocentric views, often implying a hierarchy among cultures and leading to Social Darwinist interpretations.
4. Cultural evolutionism has influenced archaeological methodologies, as researchers look for evidence of technological and social progression in the archaeological record.
5. Modern anthropology generally rejects strict cultural evolutionism in favor of more nuanced approaches that account for cultural diversity and complexity.

Review Questions

• How does cultural evolutionism compare to cultural relativism in understanding cultural change?
  • Cultural evolutionism focuses on a linear progression of cultures through specific developmental stages, often viewing some cultures as more advanced than others. In contrast, cultural relativism emphasizes understanding cultures within their own context, avoiding judgments based on external standards. This comparison highlights the tension between seeing culture as a product of evolutionary processes versus recognizing the unique value and complexity of different cultural practices.
• Discuss the criticisms of cultural evolutionism and how they relate to contemporary anthropological practices.
  • Critics argue that cultural evolutionism promotes ethnocentrism by suggesting that certain cultures are superior due to their perceived advancement. This perspective can lead to harmful stereotypes and generalizations. Contemporary anthropology often embraces more complex models that consider historical context, interactions between cultures, and the dynamic nature of cultural practices. These approaches seek to understand cultures on their own terms rather than impose a linear progression framework.
• Evaluate the impact of cultural evolutionism on archaeological research methods and interpretations.
  • Cultural evolutionism significantly influenced archaeological research by encouraging scholars to look for evidence of technological advancements and social complexity in ancient societies. This approach led to the classification of artifacts and sites based on perceived stages of cultural development. However, as critiques emerged regarding oversimplified models, archaeologists began to adopt more diverse methodologies that incorporate multiple narratives and acknowledge the intricate relationships between culture, environment, and history. Such an evaluation reveals both the historical significance and the limitations of cultural evolutionism in shaping archaeological inquiry.

Related terms

Social Darwinism: A theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to societies, suggesting that some cultures are superior to others based on their level of development.

Unilineal Evolution: The idea that all cultures follow the same path of development from primitive to civilized, typically divided into stages such as savagery, barbarism, and civilization.

Cultural Relativism:

The principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another culture.