Functionalism was an anthropological theory that challenged theories of unilinear evolution and historical particularism. It focused on understanding the role of cultural traits and practices in contemporary societies rather than seeking origins. There were two strands represented by Malinowski and Radcliffe-Brown. Malinowski focused on present-day fieldwork and believed customs developed to fulfill universal biological needs. Radcliffe-Brown viewed historical explanations as conjectural and advocated examining the role of cultural practices in modern societies. He believed anthropology should be synchronic rather than diachronic.

1. Functionalism
Anthropological Theory
IB Anthropology
UWC Costa Rica

2. Functionalism as a challenge…
• …to unilinear evolutionism and historical
particularism
• Originally from Britain
• Postponed search for origins (evolution or
diffusion)
• Focused on role of culture traits and
practices in contemporary society
• 2 strands of functionalism – A.R. Radcliffe-
Brown and B. Malinowski

3. Bronislaw Malinowski
• Focused on present
rather than historical
reconstruction
• Pioneering fieldwork
among living people
• Considered father of
Ethnography and
Anthro Rock Star

4. Malinowskian Functionalism
• Biocultural Functionalism
• Functionalist in 2 senses
1. Believed all customs and instituions in
society are integrated so if one changed,
others would change as well. Thus,
ethnographercould begin anywhere and
eventually understand rest of the culture
2. Needs Functionalism: Human habe set of
universal biological needs and customs
develop to fulfil those needs. Thus, function
of institution is role played in satisfying
universal biological needs

5. Alfred Reginald Radcliffe-Brown
• History is important
BUT anthro cannot
hope to discover
history of people
without writing
• Trusted neither
evolutionist or
diffusionist
reconstructions

6. Radcliffe-Brown and
Synchronism
• Viewed all historical statements about non-
literate people as conjectural
• Urged anthropologists to focus on role
particular practices play in life of societies
today
• Examined prominent role of mother’s brother
among BaThonga of Mozambique
• Evolutionist priest had previously explained
role of mother’s brother in this patrilineal
society as a survival from time when descent
rule had been matrilineal

7. Radcliffe-Brown and
Synchronism
• AR-P believed history of BaThonga could
only be conjectural – he explained role of
mother’s brother in reference to institutions
of present rather than past BaThonga
society
• AR-P advocated anthro as SYNCHRONIC
rather than DIACHRONIC discipline

8. Structural Functionalism
• Term associated with Radcliffe-Brown and
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
• Structural functionalism assumes that
customs/social practices exist to preserve the
social structure
• Function of any practice is role it plays in
maintaining system of which it is a part
• Biological Analogy
• Criticised for an view constantly seeking to
see the best of all possible worlds