Discuss why British and American Anthropology began differently with focus on Society and Culture, respectively.

1. Introduction

The development of anthropology in Britain and America diverged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with each region adopting different theoretical perspectives and research agendas. British anthropology initially focused on the study of society and social structures, influenced by the works of scholars such as E.B. Tylor and Bronislaw Malinowski. In contrast, American anthropology initially emphasized the study of culture and cultural phenomena, shaped by the contributions of Franz Boas and his students. These divergent trajectories reflected the unique intellectual, historical, and institutional contexts of each region.

2. British Anthropology: Focus on Society

British anthropology emerged during the colonial era, with scholars such as E.B. Tylor and Lewis Henry Morgan laying the foundations for the discipline. Tylor's work on cultural evolution and the comparative study of religion and mythology shaped early British anthropology, emphasizing the universality of human cultural phenomena and the evolutionary development of societies. This evolutionary perspective led British anthropologists to focus on understanding the social structures, kinship systems, and political organizations of non-Western societies, particularly those encountered through colonial expansion.

Bronislaw Malinowski, a pioneering figure in British anthropology, further emphasized the importance of fieldwork and ethnographic research for understanding the social dynamics of non-Western societies. Malinowski's functionalist approach focused on how cultural practices and institutions served specific social functions and contributed to the stability and cohesion of societies. His studies of the Trobriand Islanders in the Pacific demonstrated the intricate relationships between culture, society, and individual behavior, highlighting the holistic nature of social systems.

British anthropology's emphasis on society reflected broader concerns with understanding social order, authority, and power dynamics, particularly in colonial contexts. Scholars sought to document and analyze the social structures and institutions of non-Western societies, often with the implicit goal of facilitating colonial governance and administration. This focus on society laid the groundwork for later developments in structural-functionalism and structuralism within British anthropology.

3. American Anthropology: Focus on Culture

In contrast to British anthropology, American anthropology developed within a different intellectual and institutional context, shaped by the contributions of Franz Boas and his students. Boas, often considered the father of American anthropology, rejected the evolutionary framework of British anthropology and emphasized the importance of historical particularism and cultural relativism. Boasian anthropology focused on understanding the diversity of human cultures and the historical and environmental factors shaping cultural variation.

Boas and his students, including Margaret Mead, Ruth Benedict, and Edward Sapir, conducted ethnographic research among indigenous peoples in North America and other regions, documenting cultural practices, beliefs, and languages. Their studies demonstrated the cultural diversity and complexity of human societies and challenged prevailing stereotypes and ethnocentric assumptions.

American anthropology's focus on culture reflected broader intellectual currents in the United States, including concerns with immigration, multiculturalism, and national identity. Boasian anthropology provided a framework for understanding and valuing cultural diversity, promoting tolerance and appreciation for different ways of life.

4. Comparative Perspectives and Methodological Innovations

While British and American anthropology initially diverged in their focus on society and culture, both traditions contributed to the development of comparative and methodological approaches within the discipline. British functionalism and American historical particularism influenced later anthropological theories and methods, leading to the integration of cross-cultural comparative analysis and ethnographic fieldwork in anthropological research.

Contemporary anthropology draws on insights from both British and American traditions, incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives and methodological innovations to address complex social and cultural phenomena. By examining society and culture in tandem, anthropologists continue to explore the dynamic interplay between social structures, cultural practices, and individual experiences in diverse human societies.

Conclusion

The divergence of British and American anthropology in their focus on society and culture reflected unique intellectual, historical, and institutional factors shaping each region's development. While British anthropology initially emphasized the study of society and social structures, American anthropology prioritized the study of culture and cultural phenomena. Despite these differences, both traditions contributed to the rich tapestry of anthropological theory and methodology, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for the diversity of human experiences.