ANTH 410 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Great Man Theory, Neoevolutionism, Punctuated Equilibrium
Document Summary
Questions: charles spencer pdf: briefly outline what you see to be spencer"s theoretical perspective. Spencer considers himself to be a neoevolutionism of the transformationalist bent. This idea of states developing out of chiefdoms in a manner analogous to the concept of punctuated equilibrium in evolutionary biology is also key to his theoretical perspective. Wants a model that utilizes descent with modification (darwinian!) also uses phrase selection, also the element of progression of change. A hybridized theory, differentiates homology from analogy. Likes the terminology of chiefdoms and states. Different individuals selecting different courses of action possibly in similar situations leading to different results (element of agency) Lamarckian - inheritance of acquired traits, seen in enculturation, transmission of ideas. Directed variation also lamarckian, about decision making and cultural selection (implies it) all about problem solving and idea that people are just able to come up with solutions to problems completely independently.
