American Anthropology and the 1930s: the Changing Perspective

FAIN: FT-12682-75

Elvin J. Hatch
University of California, Oakland (Oakland, CA 94612)

To conduct an historical study of American anthropology during the 1930's in order to throw light on a shift that took place in the anthropologist's conception of culture and human behavior. The shift amounted to a growing conviction that institutions and actions are sensible and justifiable. The 1930's saw the appearance of a variety of new approaches in anthropology. This shift in perspective has never been explicitly noted in the literature and its implications remain unexplored.