Abstract
ANNUAL REVIEWS Ann. Rev. Anthropol. 1987. 16:143--60 Copyright © 1987 by Annual Reviews Inc. All rights reserved Further Quick links to online content CROSS-CULTURAL SURVEYS Annu. Rev. Anthropol. 1987.16:143-160. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org Access provided by University of California - Irvine on 03/15/17. For personal use only. TODAY Michael L. Burton and Douglas R. White University of California, Irvine, California 92717 INTRODUCTION This review follows the deaths of two major figures in cross-cultural research: George Peter Murdock and Raoul Naroll. Their joint influence on cross cultural theory, sampling (73-75, 78, 80, 87), and method (81-84, 86) produced a new era in which the most persistent objections to cross-cultural research were answered. Cross-cultural research came under attack in the period from 1950- 1975, and until the cumulation of replicable results from standard samples (80, 87) many anthropologists had concluded that the endeavor lacked merit. Barnes's (3) criticisms of Murdock's work exemplify the prevailing views of the early 1970s. The pessimism of Murdock's (76) Huxley memorial lecture, while directed to deficiencies of general anthropological theory, also fostered the impression of insurmountable problems in cross-cultural comparisons. Given this background, the recent resurgence of cross-cultural research may seem surprising. We begin this review with an overview of theoretical orientations related to the resurgence. We then review common criticisms of cross-cultural research, areas of particular progress, and remaining problems of method. Last, following upon two recent reviews of cross-cultural research prior to 1980 (55, 63), we review the progress of substantive work since that time. THEORETICAL ORIENTATIONS Cross-cultural research provides an essential component of valid generaliza tions about human societies. It relies on continual rethinking and reintegration with other streams in anthropology and comparative social science by prac-
Highlights
This review follows the deaths of two major figures in cross-cultural research: George Peter Murdock and Raoul Naroll
We review common criticisms of cross-cultural research, areas of particular progress, and remaining problems of method
Last, following upon two recent reviews of cross-cultural research prior to 1980 [55, 63], we review the progress of substantive work since that time
Summary
This review follows the deaths of two major figures in cross-cultural research: George Peter Murdock and Raoul Naroll. Their joint influence on cross cultural theory, sampling [73,74,75, 78, 80, 87], and method [81,82,83,84, 86] produced a new era in which the most persistent objections to cross-cultural research were answered. The pessimism of Murdock's [76] Huxley memorial lecture, while directed to deficiencies of general anthropological theory, fostered the impression of insurmountable problems in cross-cultural comparisons. Given this background, the recent resurgence of cross-cultural research may seem surprising. Last, following upon two recent reviews of cross-cultural research prior to 1980 [55, 63], we review the progress of substantive work since that time
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