Theoretical Perspectives

Question 1

List at least 3 examples of theories that would be associated with an agency centered perspectives

Answer 1

Feminist, marxist, political economy, resistance, transactional, world systems

Question 2

List examples of theories that would be associated with a cohesion-centred perspective

Answer 2

Functionalism, structural functionalism

Question 3

List examples of theories that would be associated with an idealist perspective

Answer 3

Postmodernism, structuralism

Question 4

What is a materialist perspective?

Answer 4

Explains human existence in terms of their most tangible features (ex; technology, environment and management of resources)

Question 5

What is a diachronic perspective?

Answer 5

It is seeking to understand culture through the development over time. It is historical

Question 6

List examples of theories that would be associated with a conflict centred perspective

Answer 6

Global theories, marxist theories and resistance

Question 7

What is an agency centred perspective?

Answer 7

It is the idea that humans as individuals have the capacity to create, change and influence events

Question 8

List the 10 theoretical perspectives

Answer 8

• Cohesion Centred
• Conflict Centred
• Materialism
• Idealism
• Synchronic
• Diachronic
• Particularistic
• Universalistic
• Agency
• Structure

Question 9

List examples of theories that would be associated with a materialist perspective

Answer 9

Cultural ecology, cultural materialism, environmental theories

Question 10

What is a synchronic perspective?

Answer 10

Studying the different aspects of a culture and society in the present or specific point in time

Question 11

What is a particularistic perspective?

Answer 11

Taking a particularistic perspective is understanding a culture understood by specific social and historical context

Question 12

What is a conflict centred perspective?

Answer 12

A conflict centred perspective is the idea that social relations are based on the competing interests of groups and individuals

Question 13

What is a structure-centred perspective?

Answer 13

It is the view that humans will always need a structure to properly function and without it there would be no order

Question 14

What is a universalistic perspective?

Answer 14

Studying societies and culture with regards to all societies and cultures

Question 15

List examples of theories that would be associated with a particularistic perspective

Answer 15

Functionalism, postmodernism

Question 16

What is a cohesion-centred perspective?

Answer 16

Anthropologists say that cohesion and order is what is central to the functioning of society and culture

Question 17

List examples of theories that would be associated with a synchronic perspective?

Answer 17

Functionalism, structural functionalism, postmodernism

Question 18

List examples of theories that would be associated with a diachronic perspective

Answer 18

Global theories, marxist theories, political economy, world systems

Question 19

What is an idealist perspective?

Answer 19

Idealist perspectives focus on activities and categories of the human mind (beliefs, symbols, rationality)

Question 20

List examples of theories that would be associated with a structure-centred perspective

Answer 20

Cultural ecology, cultural materialism, functionalism, marxist theories, structure functionalism, world systems