Study Notes on Cultural Theories in Anthropology

Chapter 1

Here are your study notes, broken down by module to help you review efficiently. I have structured these to highlight the core definitions, key theorists, and major conceptual differences you will likely need for your semester examination.

Module SCANTH three A two: Schools of Diffusionism

One. Concept and Features

· Diffusionism argues that cultural traits (inventions, beliefs, technologies) develop in a few centers and spread-or diffuse-outward to other societies through contact, trade, or migration.

· It emerged as a direct reaction against Unilinear Evolutionism, arguing that humans are generally uninventive and prefer to borrow ideas rather than invent them independently.