Structural anthropology is a branch of anthropology that focuses on the structural relationships between cultural concepts in various societies. The spelling of this word is /ˈstrʌk.tʃər.əl æn.θrəˈpɒl.ə.dʒi/. The phonetic transcription of the word indicates that the stress is on the second syllable of the word, and the vowels are pronounced individually. The first part of the word is pronounced as "struh-k-chuh-ruhl," with the "k" sound in the middle, while the word "anthropology" is pronounced as "an-thruh-pol-uh-jee."
Structural anthropology is an approach to the study of human societies and cultures that emphasizes the underlying structures and systems that shape social relationships and cultural practices. It is a field within the broader discipline of anthropology that focuses on the systematic analysis of the social structures, symbols, and patterns of human behavior that exist within a given society.
This theoretical approach was developed primarily by French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss in the mid-20th century. Lévi-Strauss proposed that human culture is comprised of underlying binary oppositions and structural relationships, similar to the way language is structured with phonemes and grammar rules. He argued that these oppositions and relationships, which he called "structural units," form the basis of cultural practices and social institutions.
Structural anthropology seeks to uncover the deep structures that underpin societies and cultures, rather than focusing solely on surface-level phenomena. It examines the way in which individuals and groups relate to each other, as well as the symbolic systems that they use to make meaning of the world. This approach often involves the use of methods such as kinship analysis, mythic analysis, and the examination of symbolic systems.
Overall, structural anthropology aims to understand the underlying principles that govern human societies and cultures, providing insights into the complex relationships between individuals, groups, and the broader social context.
The word "structural anthropology" is derived from two key components: "structural" and "anthropology".
1. Structural: The term "structural" originated from the Latin word "structura", which means "a fitting together" or "arrangement". It developed in the English language around the mid-17th century and referred to the organization or framework of something.
2. Anthropology: The term "anthropology" has its roots in the Greek language. Specifically, it combines two Greek words: "anthropos" meaning "human" or "man", and "logos" meaning "study" or "knowledge". Therefore, anthropology literally means "the study of humans".
When combined, "structural anthropology" refers to a field of study focused on the analysis of the structure and organization of human societies and cultures. It emphasizes the importance of social structures, systems, and networks in understanding human behavior and social interactions.