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B. Malinowski
B. Malinowski
Malinowski's theory made functional analysis more conducive to the 20th century. He gave notion of system levels and the concept of different and multiple system needs at each level. There are three systems of needs, social structure are originated in biological needs and derived from social structures, integrative needs of the society.
Biological Needs
Primary needs
Necessitate action for fulfillment which necessitates collective organization
Social Structural Needs
Create institutions for satisfaction of biological need
These institutions have own need to be met for society to survive.
Institutions are economic, educational, political organization.
Symbolic Needs
Provide information necessary to adjust to environment.
To provide a sense of control over destiny
To provide communal rhythm
Magic Religion and Science
Malinowaski distinguished between the three
Magic
Instrumental relieves anxiety about the uncontrollable elements out of traditional mythology, taboos etc conducted by magician good /bad
Religion
Utilitarian, sustains the social structure
Distinction between sacred and profane
Common to all moralistic
Science
Rational questions existing social structure uses and norms.
No mythology, stress or crises
Value neutral and objective
Primitive Economy
Malinowski tries to highlight two important aspects: the social and economic activities of primitive and the importance of the economic aspect on the cultural type of people. Kula a specific system of trade is carried among the islands of a given place. The trade is controlled by traditional norms and regulations.
Important Books:
- Agronauts of the western pacific
- Crime and customs
- Sex and repression in savage society
- Coral gardens and their magic
- A scientific theory of culture