Compare and contrast social and biological approaches to the study of kinship

Term Paper , 2002 , 9 Pages , Grade: 2.1 (B)

Archaeology

Compare and contrast social and biological approaches to the study of kinship

by

Christine Langhoff









Kinship is the study of cultural interpretations of social relationships and social groups that are formed among people who stand in biological or quasi-biological relationships to each other. There are two main approaches to the study of kinship: the biological approach and the social approach. Both approaches can be further divided into different approaches. In the biological approach for example there are socio-ecological, socio-biological and evolutionary theories whereas in the social ones there are theories which try to explain overall patterns of kinship and others which state that one cannot make any generalisations about kinship patterns in different societies. Both approaches try to explain the different types of kinship structures and descent patterns but they do so in different ways. Biological theories often compare nonhuman primate kinship systems with those of humans and they also try to find evidence for the evolution of kinship structures. They tend to emphasise biological features within kinship and usually regard kinship systems as well adapted to environmental conditions. Social approaches on the other hand are more concerned about cultural differences between societies which cause the different kinds of kinship and descent structures and they emphasise non-biological relationships within kinship.

The biological approach to the study of kinship can be split into many different approaches such as socio-ecological, socio-biological as well as evolutionary approaches. Socio-ecology and socio-biology try to show that human institutions, like the structures of animal societies, are adaptive, that is to say they result from the actions of individuals attempting to maximise their inclusive fitness. This means that in the biological approaches compare human kinship patterns to those found in other animals, in particular in primates. Although they do stress the importance of biological relationships between kin they also accept that people who are not biologically related can be kin too.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Compare and contrast social and biological approaches to the study of kinship.
• The biological approach to the study of kinship.
• Socio-ecological and socio-biological approaches.
• Evolutionary approaches.
• The social approach to the study of kinship.
• The human incest taboo.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This text explores the contrasting perspectives of social and biological approaches to the study of kinship, examining how these approaches explain the development and variation of kinship systems across cultures. It delves into the historical and evolutionary roots of kinship structures, specifically focusing on the emergence of male dominance and the role of natural selection in shaping human behavior.

• Comparative analysis of social and biological perspectives on kinship.
• Evolutionary explanations for kinship structures and patterns.
• The influence of environmental factors on kinship systems.
• The role of biological and social factors in shaping kinship relationships.
• The development of male dominance and its relationship to kinship.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The text begins by introducing the two main approaches to the study of kinship: the biological and the social approaches. It highlights the key differences between these approaches and their respective theoretical frameworks. The biological approach emphasizes the role of biological factors in shaping kinship systems, drawing comparisons to non-human primates and highlighting the importance of inclusive fitness and kin selection.
• The biological approach is further explored, with specific attention given to socio-ecological, socio-biological, and evolutionary approaches. These approaches attempt to demonstrate the adaptive nature of human institutions, including kinship structures, and explain the evolution of kinship systems through natural selection and differential reproduction.
• The text examines the evolutionary origins of patriarchy and male dominance, exploring theories by Smuts and Fox. These theories connect kinship systems to male ascendancy over females, arguing that males have historically sought to maximize their fitness through various reproductive strategies, leading to female subordination and control over women as a source of male power.
• The text analyzes the human incest taboo, exploring its prevalence across cultures and its potential biological and social explanations. The importance of the taboo in regulating human reproduction and the potential consequences of close inbreeding are discussed.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key focus of this text is on the study of kinship, encompassing both social and biological approaches. The text explores topics such as inclusive fitness, kin selection, evolutionary ecology, natural selection, patriarchy, and the human incest taboo.

• College: Oxford University (New College)
• Grade: 2.1 (B)
• Author: BA (Oxon), Dip Psych (Open) Christine Langhoff (Author)
• Publication Year: 2002
• Pages: 9
• Catalog Number: V7615
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638148177
• Language: English
• Tags: Compare