polygenism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Technical / Historical
Quick answer
What does “polygenism” mean?
A theory that different human races have different origins.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A theory that different human races have different origins.
In anthropology and biology, the doctrine that species or other taxonomic groups originated from multiple ancestral lines, as opposed to a single origin (monogenism). Historically, it was controversially used in racial science.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. The term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly negative connotations in modern academic discourse due to its association with discredited racial theories.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, confined to specialised historical or anthropological texts.
Grammar
How to Use “polygenism” in a Sentence
[Subject] advocates/supports/rejects polygenism.The theory of polygenism argues that...Debates centred on polygenism and monogenism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “polygenism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The polygenist arguments of the 19th century are now widely discredited.
- He held a polygenist view of human origins.
American English
- Polygenist theories were used to justify racial hierarchies.
- The scholar analysed polygenist writings from the American South.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or critical race studies to analyse discredited theories of human origins.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Appears in specialised discourse on the history of science, evolutionary biology (historical context), and anthropology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “polygenism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “polygenism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “polygenism”
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈpɒl.i.dʒen.ɪz.əm/.
- Using it to describe contemporary multi-regional theories of human evolution (which are different).
- Spelling: 'polygenesis' is a related but distinct term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Polygenism, specifically regarding human races having separate origins, is completely discredited by modern genetics and anthropology, which support a single, recent African origin for all modern humans (monogenism/Out of Africa theory).
'Polygenism' specifically refers to the doctrine of multiple origins, especially of human races. 'Polygenesis' is a broader term that can refer to the idea of multiple origins for anything (e.g., languages, cultural traits), though in historical context they are often used interchangeably regarding human origins.
Understanding this term is crucial for critically analysing the history of scientific racism and recognising how science has been misused to justify social and political ideologies. It serves as a case study in the relationship between science and society.
Historically, yes. Before Darwin, some naturalists argued for polygenism to explain the diversity of species. In modern biology, the term is archaic and not used to describe accepted evolutionary processes, which involve common descent with modification.
A theory that different human races have different origins.
Polygenism is usually academic / technical / historical in register.
Polygenism: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈlɪdʒ.ɪ.nɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /pəˈlɪdʒ.əˌnɪz.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
POLYGENISM: POLY (many) + GENESIS (origin) = the theory of many origins for different human groups.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORIGIN AS A ROOT/TREE (Polygenism posits multiple, separate family trees for humanity, unlike the single 'Tree of Life').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'polygenism' primarily used today?