Anthropology Bronislaw Malinowski Is One Term Paper

According to functionalism, societal values also play an important role in governing a society by offering general guidelines for acceptable behavior through the establishment of roles and norms. For example, such societal institutions as the family, economy, education and government are essential aspects to the social structure, with each institution playing a role, related to the roles of the other institutions. In this sense, individuals will become interconnected through these institutions and therefore form a community.

Functionalism is based on three fundamental concepts. First, functionalism views society as a system. Accordingly, society is defined as a collection of interdependent parts that each exhibit a tendency toward reaching an equilibrium. Second, in order for a society to survive, certain functional requirements must be satisfied. An example of such a function is reproduction. Without reproduction, the population will not survive. Third, all societal phenomena or trends exist for the sole reason that they serve a specific function in society. In other words, nothing occurs without a reason. With these core concepts in mind, one can say that a functionalist believes that a society is essentially a living organism in that, like a living organism, it is comprised of interdependent parts working together to form systems that function together in order for the greater body to function and thus survive.

Specifically, in his book a Scientific Theory of Culture, Malinowski explains functionalism in scientific terms. His theory is that "anthropology is the study of institutions, which are organized to satisfy human biological needs." Examples of such biological basic needs include metabolism, reproduction, corporeal well-being, security, activity, growth and health.

Thus, in order to understand a society, one needs to only follow the scientific theory of understanding these basic needs. In doing so, one finds that a society is comprised of numerous institutions aimed at providing for these basic needs. These institutions are referred to as Universal Institutional Types and include reproduction (marriage), territory (city), physiology (gender), spontaneous associations (clubs and organizations), professions, upbringing and learning, and healthcare.

According to Malinowski, every culture has its own specific values, norms, motives and customs. Accordingly, all tribes, races and colors are necessarily equal in that all of their perceived differences are for the same purpose, which is to ensure the survival of their society. Furthermore, all tribes, races and colors are driven by the same basic needs and universal institutions.

This theory of anthropological functionalism as a science is further laid out in his article entitled "The Groups and the Individual in Functional Analysis." In this article, Malinowski focuses specifically on how his fieldwork findings have shown that within any given culture, society is broken down into groups comprised of individuals. Further, each group plays a specific role in providing for the needs of the society. Finally, each individual plays a specific role in providing for the needs of the group. Thus, according to Malinowski's theory of functionalism, culture is created through a need to function.

Bibliography

Malinowski, Bronislaw. (1990): A Scientific Theory of Culture and Other Essays. Raleigh: University of North Carolina Press.

Malinowski, Bronislaw. (1939): "The Groups and the Individual in Functional Analysis." The American Journal of Sociology. V.…