What approach focuses on the role of environmental factors in shaping human thought and behavior?

Cultural materialism is an anthropological approach that emphasizes the importance of material conditions, such as the environment, technology, and economic practices, in shaping human societies and behaviors. This perspective posits that environmental factors play a crucial role in determining cultural norms, social structures, and belief systems. Cultural materialists argue that the way people adapt to their physical environment influences their societal organization and cultural practices, which in turn affects their thoughts and behaviors.

In contrast, reflexive ethnography focuses on the researcher’s position and relationship to the study, aiming to bring awareness to their biases and perspectives during the research process. Holism seeks to understand cultures in their entirety, considering multiple aspects of human experience but without specifically prioritizing environmental factors over others. Ethnology is the comparative study of cultures, often analyzing broader patterns across different societies rather than focusing specifically on how environmental elements shape individual thought and behavior.