Who is the Father of Applied Anthropology– In the world of anthropology, Franz Boas can be considered to be a very important person. He was born in Germany in 1858 and revolutionized Anthropology. Boas thus emerged as the grand master in the shaping of the concept of culture.
Boas negated theories of cultural evolution that had been accepted in the past. He used to appreciate this idea as attempting to comprehend each culture as the singular result of historical progression. This became known as “cultural relativism” and became a significant concept in his work. It served as the foundation for the present-day applied anthropology.
Boas did not merely have grand theories in mind. He had faith in fieldwork. He employed techniques such as participant observation and ethnography in the study of human societies. These ideas were built upon by his students, including Margaret Mead. They utilized them to tackle practical issues and enhance policies for minorities and other underrepresented groups.
Key Takeaways
- Many people refer to Franz Boas as the “Father of Applied Anthropology”.
- Boas dismissed the dominant evolutionary theories regarding the culture and focused on the special historical context of each culture.
- He promoted a doctrine known as “cultural relativism” whereby it is impossible to compare cultures as being higher or inferior to other cultures.
- Boas introduced the four-field approach to anthropology that unites archaeology, physical anthropology, linguistics, and ethnology.
- His students, such as Margaret Mead, continued his work and expanded more on applied anthropology.
The Origins of Applied Anthropology
Applied anthropology originated in nineteenth-century Europe and followed the footsteps of cultural and social anthropology around the globe. They became more significant after the Second World War, this is because some countries in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean gained their independence.
In the United States, the Society for Applied Anthropology was established in 1941. Its goals were to advance applied anthropology and initiate endeavors to gather information.
Those contributing to the beginning of anthropology include prominent anthropologists such as Franz Boas, who was famously referred to as the ‘Father of Modern Anthropology’. He emphasized the importance of field observation and the principle of cultural equivalence.
As a scholar, Boas viewed anthropology as a science and he respected various cultures and people.
Historical Background and Development
Others who contributed to the development of applied anthropology include other very important anthropologists such as Bronislaw Malinowski, Margaret Meade, and Ruth Benedict. They studied functionalism, cultural determinism, and cultural relativism. These ideas altered the way the field operates.
| Anthropologist | Contribution |
| Franz Boas | Pioneered applied research methods and practices, emphasizing fieldwork and cultural relativism |
| Bronislaw Malinowski | Contributed to the development of applied anthropology through the theory of functionalism |
| Margaret Mead | Influenced applied anthropology with her research and theories on cultural determinism |
| Ruth Benedict | Shaped the field of applied anthropology through her work on cultural relativism |
Today, applied anthropology employs numerous methods, including policy research, evaluation, cultural intervention, activist, and participatory action research methods. They aid in the resolution of social issues and the decision-making process that incorporates cultural analysis.
Who is the father of applied anthropology
Franz Boas, a Lerman-American anthropologist, is regarded as the “Father of Applied Anthropology”. He contributed to giving anthropology a major status in the United States. He rejected previously held notions about the relative superiority of cultures. Instead, he tried to convince everybody that each culture has its history.
Boas also had a theory known as cultural relativism which states that it is impossible to compare cultures. He also developed the four-field approach in anthropology which includes archaeology, physical anthropology, linguistics, and ethnology. He criticized scientific racism which believed that race was a biological concept and behavior determined genetically.
The key contributions of Boas and his students, including Margaret Mead and Melville J. Herskovits, shifted applied anthropology. It demonstrated how anthropology can work to find solutions for issues and benefit populations.
“Culture is not a power, something to which social events, behaviors, institutions, or processes can be causally attributed. It is a context, something within which they can be intelligible – that is, thickly – described.” – Clifford Geertz, a prominent anthropologist influenced by Boas’s ideas.
Today, the principles of applied anthropology originated by Franz Boas are still relevant. His concern is as crucial to anthropology as the focus on cultures, their history, and an integration of anthropological fields.
| Key Contributions of Franz Boas | Impact on Applied Anthropology |
| Rejection of scientific racism and evolutionary approaches to culture | Emphasized the importance of understanding cultures within their own context, promoting cultural relativism |
| Emphasis on historical particularism and the unique development of each culture | Fostered a deeper appreciation for the diversity and complexity of human societies |
| Pioneering the “four-field approach” to anthropology | Integrated various sub-disciplines, enabling a more holistic understanding of human behavior and societal issues |
| Influential students and their contributions | Helped shape the practical application of anthropological knowledge to address real-world problems |
Methodological Approaches in Applied Anthropology
Many research methods applied anthropologists use in addressing problems in the field. Human resource managers and anthropologists also aid in policy decisions due to their understanding of cultures and fieldwork. This combination of techniques stems from the theoretic values of the discipline, namely culture study and field research.
It was established that policy research is a significant technique. It means making an in-depth analysis of social, economic, and political factors. Applied anthropologists provide policymakers with relevant insights. They achieve this through program evaluations, needs assessments, and impact studies.
Evaluation research tries to determine the impacts and effectiveness of programs. Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies are most common in applied anthropology. They assess achievements and provide feedback to the decision-makers.
- Ethnographic fieldwork
- Participant observation
- Interviews and focus groups
- Surveys and questionnaires
- Archival and secondary data analysis
Cultural intervention means aiming to help communities address their identified issues. They converse with stakeholders, conduct meetings, organize seminars, and initiate social schemes.
Participatory research or activist research is a form of research in which people in a community are involved in the research process.
These methods allow the local people to appreciate the situation and the problems they face and find the best solutions on their own. This tends to result in sustainable solutions that are maintained by the communities themselves.
| Methodological Approach | Description | Key Techniques |
| Policy Research | Analyzing social, economic, and political issues to inform policymaking | Program evaluations, needs assessments, impact studies |
| Evaluation Research | Assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of programs, interventions, and initiatives | Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis |
| Cultural Intervention | Collaborating with communities to address local challenges and promote positive change | Community workshops, program implementation |
| Activist Research and Participatory Action Research (PAR) | Empowering community members as active partners in the research process | Collaborative problem identification and solution development |
These approaches demonstrate how applied anthropology works to address real-world problems. That, in a nutshell, makes applied anthropologists essential as they infuse cultural understanding with real-life problem-solving. They guide policy, assess programs, and support communities.
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Conclusion
The facts mentioned above prove that Franz Boas was the most influential figure in the development of the applied anthropology field. He revolutionized the field by centering his research on individual societies’ cultures and development.
He coined the term ‘the four-field approach’ which involved archaeology, physical anthropology, linguistics, and ethnology. This approach was beneficial in the sense that we were able to learn more about cultures.
Boas also trained many other well-known anthropologists including Ruth Benedict, Margaret Mead, and Zora Neale Hurston. These students promulgated Boas’s ideas of cultural relativism and applied anthropology. They defined Cultural Anthropology in the twentieth century.
So, the impact of Boas’s work is felt even in modern anthropology. His ideas influence policies and facilitate change throughout society. Even in the applied context, the significance of learning cultures and how to use them for analysis has not changed.
