Bronisław Malinowski
Pioneered ethnographic fieldwork and functionalism, arguing that cultural practices serve to meet the biological and psychological needs of individuals.
Quotes by Bronisław Malinowski
The study of kinship is central to understanding social organization.
The native's knowledge is not inferior to ours, but different.
The functional theory of culture is a dynamic theory, not a static one.
The anthropologist must be a good listener.
The study of religion is essential for understanding the moral and ethical framework of a society.
The anthropologist must be able to adapt to different cultural contexts.
The functional theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of culture.
The native's worldview is coherent and logical within its own terms.
The study of economics in primitive societies reveals complex systems of exchange and value.
The anthropologist must be able to overcome ethnocentric biases.
The functional approach is a powerful tool for understanding cultural change.
The native is not a 'noble savage' but a complex individual.
The study of ritual is crucial for understanding the symbolic dimension of culture.
The anthropologist must be able to build rapport and trust with the people he studies.
The functional theory provides a framework for comparative studies of culture.
The native's actions are rational within their own cultural context.
The study of law in primitive societies reveals sophisticated systems of social control.
The anthropologist must be a careful note-taker and documenter.
The functional theory helps us to understand the persistence of cultural forms.
The native's emotions and motivations are as complex as our own.