Cultural ecology theory in brief

In the mid-Twentieth Century a major theoretical concept rose in popularity in anthropology and other social studies known as cultural ecology theory. The term, first coined by anthropologist Julian Steward, describes a school of thought which views the development of a cultural group as the result of an interaction with the surrounding environment and resources. According to cultural ecology theory, culture is shaped by the physical and biological properties of the area or region in which it is developed. For example, especially harsh winters may alter the behavior and culture of a human group by the resulting use of small, well insulated structures to sleep in. However, cultural groups also shape these ecological properties through exploitation of resources and use of technology. Cultural ecological theory states that these interactions are perpetual and central to a culture’s evolution. Since Steward’s initial articulation of the theory, anthropologists have also expanded definition of cultural ecology to include more abstract social concepts like political and social economy and applied it to studying the concepts and applications of power and resources. The theory has also become foundational in modern archaeological techniques and theories. Applying the ideas of cultural ecology theory, archaeologists have developed “procedural archeology” which places an important emphasis on documenting the ways ancient cultures have adapted their technologies to suit their environment, and how these culture’s use of resources have lead to changes in the physical and biological characteristics of their surroundings.

Cultural ecology theory has drawn a great deal of criticism, primarily for its strong emphasis on environmental determinism. This has been argued to be a potentially dangerous oversimplification of social and cultural processes. Such critics state that cultural ecology theory tends to ignore the importance and power of social and individual agency.

While some of the critiques lodged against cultural ecology theory are important to keep in mind and are valid, the value of the theory and its impact on the social sciences cannot be denied and today can still be used very effectively.