Concept of structure used by Levi

The definition of concepts of structure and function is important for explaining various anthropological phenomena. The anthropologist’s choice between the structuralist and functionalist methods has a significant impact on further development of his/her theories. Besides the concept of ‘structure’ used by Levi-Strauss, the concept of ‘function’ was implemented by Radcliffe-Brown, Durkheim, and Malinowski.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Concept of ‘structure’ used by Levi-Strauss and concepts of ‘structure’ and ‘function’ used by Durkheim, Radcliffe-Brown and Malinowsky specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Raising a question of similarity of myths throughout the world, Levi-Strauss offered a method of structural analysis for establishing the relation between this cultural phenomena and peculiarities of human thinking. Using Saussure’s dis tinction between langue and parole for drawing a line between the structural and statistical aspects of the language, Levi-Strauss emphasized the importance of specific structural patterns used in the majority of myths. He describes how relationships are built and sustained within communities where people have different behaviors. The anthropologist further sought to show how cultural transformations lead to impact on an individual, concluding that people have always been thinking equally well, these are only new spheres for implementation of knowledge that became the reason for the progress. â€Å"The kind of logic in mythical thought is as rigorous as that of modern science, and the difference lies, not in the quality of the intellectual process, but in the nature of the things to which it is applied† (Levi-Strauss 231). Emile Malinowski’s research of the local traditions and myths of the population of Kula may become a brilliant example for supporting Levi-Straussâ €™s statement that the processes of human thinking remain the same disregarding the time and space parameters. Social involvement includes different stages where individuals participate in the different stages of life. Malinowsky describes the structure of a society to have interactions, spread of new knowledge, movements and participation of those within a society. He argued human interaction was kept more alive by face to face interactions therefore need to find social functions that bring people together. â€Å"Owing to their [Kula] magical knowledge they were able to escape dangers, to conquer their enemies, to surmount obstacles, and by their feats they established many a precedent which is now closely followed by tribal custom† (Malinowski 102). Malinowski’s research has proven that notwithstanding the level of development of the community, it implements the existing knowledge, using the traditional structure in the frames of the laws of logical thinking, fun ctioning as an effective mean for meeting the demands of the social organism.Advertising Looking for essay on anthropology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Durkheim, the father of anthropology, defined structuralism as that which bring and keeps a society together such as having similar cultures, from fragmenting away. Drawing the parallels between social and organic life, Durkheim defined the concept of ‘function’ as â€Å"the correspondence between it [a social institution] and the needs of the social organism† (Radcliff-Brown 394). The anthropologist put emphasis on the concept of function, defining the social act as â€Å"any way of acting, whether fixed or not, capable of exerting over the individual an external constraint, which is general over the whole of a given society whilst having an existence of its own, independent of its individual manifestations† (Durkheim 59). Durkheim and Radcliff-B rown considered the concept of ‘function’ to be significant for explaining the anthropological processes and phenomena. As opposed to Levy-Strauss’s theory concerning the significance of the laws of human thinking and structure, Radcliffe-Brown, Durkheim, and Malinowski used the concept of function in their works, emphasizing its importance. Works Cited Durkheim, Émile. The Rules of Sociological Method. Trans. Sarah Solovay and John H. Mueller, and ed. George E. G. Catlin. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1895. Print. Levi-Strauss, Claude. Structural Anthropology. Trans. Claire Jacobson and Brooke Schoepf. New York: Basic Books Publishers, 1963. Print. Malinowski, Bronislav. Argonauts of the Western Pacific. New York: Routledge. 1932. Print. Radcliffe-Brown, Alfred. â€Å"On the Concept of Function in Social Science.† American Anthropologist. 1935. vol. 37, (1935): 394-402. Print.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Concept of à ¢â‚¬Ëœstructure’ used by Levi-Strauss and concepts of ‘structure’ and ‘function’ used by Durkheim, Radcliffe-Brown and Malinowsky specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay on Concept of ‘structure’ used by Levi-Strauss and concepts of ‘structure’ and ‘function’ used by Durkheim, Radcliffe-Brown and Malinowsky was written and submitted by user Giselle Daniels to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Alcoholism Example

Alcoholism Example Alcoholism – Term Paper Example Your full full May 02, Alcoholism Alcoholism or Alcohol Dependence Syndrome is a type of chronic disease which is associated with excessive use of alcohol. â€Å"Alcoholism, also called alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, is a destructive pattern of alcohol use that includes tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance† (Dryden-Edwards). Some of the main elements of alcoholism include craving, physical dependence, tolerance, and loss of control. According to Butcher, Mineka, and Hooley, a person suffering from this disease loses self-control at times, as well as creates various psychological problems for himself/herself. Some key symptoms of alcoholism include shakiness, sweating, neglecting home and job responsibilities, and uncontrollable need for alcohol. Researchers have proved alcoholism to be the major cause of violence and increase in the number of car accidents all over the world. A number of factors make people consume alcohol. Some of those factors include into xication, social influence, mental relaxation, nice taste, and decrease in depression and boredom. The level of intoxication associated with alcohol and the relaxation that people get through alcohol are two of the major factors that make people alcohol addict.Although stopping alcohol addicts from taking alcohol is difficult, but there exist some treatment methods that can be used to make people come back to normal life by leaving alcohol. Some of those methods include relapse prevention, individualized drug counseling, cognitive-therapy techniques, motivational enhancement therapy, and use of stimulus control and urge control techniques. The outcome of these treatment methods is positive most of the times as alcohol addicts start changing their life patterns by stopping or reducing the use of alcohol and alcoholic products.Butcher, James, Susan Mineka, and Jill Hooley. Abnormal Psychology. 14th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2009.Dryden-Edwards, Roxanne. â€Å"Alcohol Abuse and Alcoh olism.† Medicinenet.com, n.d. Web. 02 May 2012.