How did structuralism influence anthropology?

Structuralism, a theoretical framework in anthropology and other social sciences, had a significant influence on the discipline, particularly through the work of French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss. Structuralism emphasizes the idea that human cultures can be understood through underlying structures, often based on binary oppositions (such as life/death, male/female, raw/cooked, etc.) that shape the way humans think, behave, and organize their societies.

Here are a few ways structuralism influenced anthropology:

1. Focus on underlying structures: Structuralists argued that visible cultural practices (myths, rituals, kinship systems) were manifestations of deeper, often unconscious structures of the human mind. This approach shifted the focus from specific cultural practices to the universal structures that might shape all societies.
2. Binary oppositions: One of the key concepts in structuralism is the idea of binary oppositions. Lévi-Strauss argued that human thought operates through oppositions (e.g., hot/cold, nature/culture), and these oppositions are reflected in cultural practices. This analysis helped anthropologists explore the ways in which cultures organize and interpret the world.
3. Myths and narratives: Structuralism placed a strong emphasis on the study of myths and narratives. Lévi-Strauss analyzed myths as structures of thought that reveal universal human concerns, such as the relationship between nature and culture. This allowed anthropologists to interpret myths not just as stories, but as part of a system of symbols reflecting universal cognitive structures.
4. Kinship studies: Structuralism profoundly influenced the study of kinship. Researchers like Lévi-Strauss examined how kinship systems are structured and how they reflect universal cognitive patterns. His work on alliances, marriage, and kinship systems (such as the theory of exogamy) provided insights into the social organization of different cultures.
5. Cultural relativism: Structuralism contributed to the idea that each culture has its own internal logic, and anthropologists should study societies on their own terms, rather than imposing external standards. This reinforced the importance of understanding cultures in their specific contexts rather than making comparative judgments based on Western norms.
6. Influence on later theoretical approaches: Structuralism laid the groundwork for later developments in anthropology, including poststructuralism and semiotics. Poststructuralists like Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida critiqued structuralism’s emphasis on fixed structures, but still engaged with many of the structuralist concepts like language, power, and identity.