Definition

Proper noun: - Alfred Kroeber: A prominent United States anthropologist, renowned for his foundational studies and theories of culture. He was a key figure in the development of anthropology as a discipline in the early 20th century.

Usage

• As a subject or object of study: The name is used to refer to the person, his work, or his intellectual legacy within anthropology.
  • Alfred Kroeber conducted extensive fieldwork among Indigenous tribes of California.
  • The concept of the "superorganic" in culture is often associated with Alfred Kroeber.

Advanced Usage

• "Kroeberian" (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of the theories or methods of Alfred Kroeber.
  • The scholar took a Kroeberian approach to analyzing the cultural patterns.

Variants and Related Words

• A. L. Kroeber: A common abbreviated form of his name.
• Kroeber: Often used alone, especially in academic contexts, to refer to him or his ideas.
  • Kroeber's work on cultural configurations was groundbreaking.

Synonyms

• Anthropologist: A scientist who studies human societies and cultures.
• Ethnologist: A specialist in the comparative study of cultures.

Related Concepts

• Cultural anthropology: The branch of anthropology focused on the study of cultural variation among humans, a field to which Kroeber contributed significantly.
• Configurationalism: A theoretical approach in anthropology emphasizing the study of cultural patterns as integrated wholes, closely linked to Kroeber's work.

Noun

1. United States anthropologist noted for his studies of culture (1876-1960)