The Key Theories in Anthropology MCQs section includes the major theoretical concepts that form the basis of the study of anthropology. They are responsible for explaining human societies’ evolution, behavior, and cultures. Familiarity with these theories is crucial for CSS Competitive Exams since they present the lens upon which anthropologists view human variation and social organizations. Anthropological theories have developed over time, and different scholars have helped us learn about human societies from biological, cultural, and social viewpoints.
Evolutionary Theory in Anthropology
The evolutionary theory is one of the most important theories in anthropology, and it suggests that human societies and cultures evolve in stages over a period of time, just like the biological evolution of species. This theory, based on Charles Darwin’s concepts of natural selection, has been applied in anthropology to describe the evolution of human cultures. Early anthropologists such as Lewis Henry Morgan and Edward B. Tylor developed stages of social evolution, such as savagery, barbarism, and civilization. Although these theories have been criticized for their ethnocentrism, they provided the foundation for the study of cultural change and the evolution of societies.
Structuralism and Cultural Systems
Another central theory in anthropology is structuralism, which is closely identified with Claude Lévi-Strauss. Structuralism is concerned with the underlying structures that organize human culture and maintains that human thinking is determined by binary oppositions (e.g., life and death, nature and culture). Structuralism understands culture as a system of interrelated elements in which meaning arises from the relationships between the elements. This theory assists anthropologists in understanding the structure of myths, rituals, and cultural practices as they are framed according to universal patterns in the human mind. It offers insights into symbolic meaning in cultural practices and social structures.
Functionalism in Anthropology
Functionalism, formulated by Bronislaw Malinowski and A.R. Radcliffe-Brown, is another core theory in anthropology. This strategy centers on the ways in which social institutions and practices work to ensure the stability and cohesion of a society. Functionalists contend that all cultural practice or social institution is there because it serves a certain purpose in the overall system, and it contributes to satisfying the needs of people and society. For instance, rituals, religion, and kinship systems are viewed as mechanisms to restore social order and ensure the continuity of society. Functionalism is a useful theory to provide insight into how various aspects of culture operate to preserve social harmony.
Key Theories in Anthropology is therefore an important topic of study for CSS candidates, as it assists in outlining the theoretical basis for understanding human societies and behaviors. A thorough understanding of these theories allows candidates to examine cultural phenomena, social structures, and human evolution through different lenses. These theoretical models—evolutionary theory, structuralism, and functionalism—offer alternative ways of explaining human life, culture, and social organization, hence the importance of using them to answer exam questions on how anthropology as a discipline developed.
