structural anthropology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic, formal
Quick answer
What does “structural anthropology” mean?
A theoretical approach in anthropology that examines cultural phenomena through their underlying structures, often inspired by linguistics.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A theoretical approach in anthropology that examines cultural phenomena through their underlying structures, often inspired by linguistics.
Developed by Claude Lévi-Strauss, it seeks to uncover universal patterns of human thought by analyzing myths, kinship, and other cultural elements as structured systems akin to language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both use the term identically in academic contexts.
Connotations
None significant; equally formal and technical.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American anthropology due to historical influence, but comparable.
Grammar
How to Use “structural anthropology” in a Sentence
structural anthropology of [a culture]based on structural anthropologyinfluenced by structural anthropologyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “structural anthropology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They structuralise cultural myths to reveal underlying patterns.
- Anthropologists often structuralise kinship systems in their research.
American English
- They structuralize cultural myths to reveal underlying patterns.
- Anthropologists often structuralize kinship systems in their research.
adverb
British English
- He analyses data structurally, drawing from anthropology.
- The study was conducted structurally anthropologically to examine myths.
American English
- He analyzes data structurally, drawing from anthropology.
- The study was conducted structurally anthropologically to examine myths.
adjective
British English
- His structural-anthropological approach is centred on binary oppositions.
- The structural anthropology perspective is favoured in some academic circles.
American English
- His structural-anthropological approach is centered on binary oppositions.
- The structural anthropology perspective is favored in some academic circles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used
Academic
Common in anthropology and social sciences
Everyday
Rarely used
Technical
Specific to anthropological theory
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “structural anthropology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “structural anthropology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “structural anthropology”
- Using it to refer to any structural analysis in social sciences without the anthropological focus.
- Confusing it with social anthropology or cultural anthropology broadly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Claude Lévi-Strauss is credited with founding structural anthropology.
Structural anthropology focuses on underlying structures, while functionalism examines the functions of cultural elements in maintaining social order.
While its popularity has waned, structural anthropology continues to influence anthropological theory and other disciplines like literary criticism.
Yes, it can be applied to analyze myths, media, and other cultural aspects in contemporary societies, though it was originally developed for traditional cultures.
A theoretical approach in anthropology that examines cultural phenomena through their underlying structures, often inspired by linguistics.
Structural anthropology is usually academic, formal in register.
Structural anthropology: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstrʌk.tʃər.əl ˌæn.θrəˈpɒl.ə.dʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstrʌk.tʃər.əl ˌæn.θrəˈpɑː.lə.dʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'structure' in buildings; similarly, structural anthropology looks at the framework of cultures.
Conceptual Metaphor
Culture as a language, where elements are like words in a grammatical structure.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of structural anthropology?