An Introduction to Theory in AnthropologyIn this innovative introduction, Robert Layton reviews the ideas that have inspired anthropologists in their studies of societies around the world. An Introduction to Theory in Anthropology provides a clear and concise analysis of the theories, and traces the way in which they have been translated into anthropological debates. The opening chapter sets out the classical theoretical issues formulated by Hobbes, Rousseau, Marx and Durkheim. Successive chapters discuss Functionalism, Structuralism, Interactionist theories, and Marxist anthropology, while the final chapters address the competing paradigms of Socioecology and Postmodernism. Using detailed case studies, Professor Layton illustrates the way in which various theoretical perspectives have shaped competing, or complementary, accounts of specific human societies. |
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Aboriginal African alliances analysis animals anthropology argued Asante Australian Azande Barth Boas British capitalist cash crops cattle chapter clan co-operation cognitive colonial concept cross-cousin cross-cousin marriage culture Derrida descent groups developed Durkheim economic ethnography Evans-Pritchard evolutionarily stable strategy existence father fieldwork Fortes function Functionalists Herodotus household hunter-gatherers hunting individual interaction interpreted kinship systems kinship terminology kula labour land language Lévi-Strauss lineage live Malinowski marriage marry Marx Marx's Marxist Mauss meaning mode of production moiety mother's Murngin myth Nuer optimal foraging optimal foraging theory original patrilineal Polanyi political Postmodernism potlatch Radcliffe-Brown reciprocity recognised ritual Rousseau Sahlins Samburu Sarakatsani Saussure segments Smith social behaviour social evolution social relationships social structure social system Socioecology Spencer spheres of exchange Steward strategies subsistence Tallensi territory theory tion totemic trade tradition transformation Trobriand village women Yanomamö Yolngu Yusufzai