Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Clyde Kluckhohn" - New World
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==Life== | ==Life== | ||
| − | '''Clyde Kluckhohn''' was born in LeMars, [[Iowa]], | + | '''Clyde Kluckhohn''' was born in LeMars, [[Iowa]], into the family of Clyde Clofford and Caroline Maben. His mother died at birth, and Kluckhohn was adopted by his maternal uncle. He started his education at school in Le Mars, then attended Culver Military Academy and in 1922, graduated from Lawrenceville School ([[New Jersey]]). |
| − | Kluckhohn matriculated at [[Princeton University]], but was forced | + | Kluckhohn matriculated at [[Princeton University]], but due to poor health, was forced to take a break from studying and go to convalesce on a ranch in [[New Mexico]] owned by his mother's cousin's husband, [[Evon Z. Vogt]]. During this period, he first came into contact with the neighboring [[Navajo]] and began a lifelong love of their [[language]] and [[culture]]. He wrote two popular books based on his experiences in Navajo country, ''To the Foot of the Rainbow'' (1927) and ''Beyond the Rainbow'' (1933). |
| − | Kluckhohn resumed study at the [[University of Wisconsin]] and received his B.A. in [[Greek]] in 1928. He then studied classics at Corpus Christi College, at [[University of Oxford]] as a [[Rhodes Scholar]] in 1928-1930. For the following two years, he studied anthropology at the [[University of Vienna]] and was exposed to [[psychoanalysis]]. | + | Kluckhohn resumed study at the [[University of Wisconsin]] and received his B.A. in [[Greek]] in 1928. He then studied classics at Corpus Christi College, at the [[University of Oxford]] as a [[Rhodes Scholar]] in 1928-1930. For the following two years, he studied anthropology at the [[University of Vienna]] and was exposed to [[psychoanalysis]]. |
| − | Kluckhohn married in 1932 to Florence Rockwood and received the post of assistant professor of [[anthropology]] at the [[University of New Mexico]]. He was also a research associate in archeology at the School of American Research of the Museum of New Mexico. In 1934 he continued graduate work in anthropology at [[Harvard University]] where he received his Ph.D. in 1936. He subsequently started to work at Harvard as a professor in Social Anthropology (1946) and stayed with Harvard Department of Social Relations for the rest of his life. | + | Kluckhohn was married in 1932 to Florence Rockwood, and received the post of assistant professor of [[anthropology]] at the [[University of New Mexico]]. He was also a research associate in archeology at the School of American Research of the Museum of New Mexico. In 1934 he continued graduate work in anthropology at [[Harvard University]] where he received his Ph.D. in 1936. He subsequently started to work at Harvard as a professor in Social Anthropology (1946) and stayed with Harvard Department of Social Relations for the rest of his life. |
| − | Kluckhohn received many honors throughout his career. In 1947 he served as president of the [[American Anthropological Association]] and became first director of the Russian Research Center at Harvard. In the same year his book ''Mirror for Man'' won the McGraw Hill award for best popular writing on science. | + | Kluckhohn received many honors throughout his career. In 1947 he served as president of the [[American Anthropological Association]] and became the first director of the Russian Research Center at Harvard. In the same year, his book ''Mirror for Man'' won the McGraw Hill award for best popular writing on science. |
Clyde Kluckhohn died of a heart attack in 1960 in a cabin on the Upper Pecos River near Santa Fe, [[New Mexico]]. He was survived by his wife and a son. | Clyde Kluckhohn died of a heart attack in 1960 in a cabin on the Upper Pecos River near Santa Fe, [[New Mexico]]. He was survived by his wife and a son. | ||
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==Work== | ==Work== | ||
| − | Kluckhohn remains mostly renowned for his contributions to the [[ethnography]] of the [[Navajo]] Indians. His interest in Navajo people started early in his life, in 1922, when he lived among Navajos, learning their language and customs. During his career he made numerous pack trips to the American West on his Wild Horse Mesa. From the summer of 1936 he started with a serious ethnographic work with the Ramah Navaho. In his ''Navaho Witchcraft'' (1944), one of his | + | Kluckhohn remains mostly renowned for his contributions to the [[ethnography]] of the [[Navajo]] Indians. His interest in Navajo people started early in his life, in 1922, when he lived among Navajos, learning their language and customs. During his career, he made numerous pack trips to the American West on his Wild Horse Mesa. From the summer of 1936 he started with a serious ethnographic work with the Ramah Navaho. In his ''Navaho Witchcraft'' (1944), perhaps one of his finest works, Kluckhohn combined [[psychoanalysis|psychoanalytic]], [[learning]], and [[social structure theory]] in describing the customs of Navajo Indians. Overall, throughout his life, he built a respectable compilation on the different aspects of Navajo culture. |
| − | In 1949, Kluckhohn began a long-term study of what he and his colleagues called "Values Orientations" among five adjacent communities in [[Texas]]: [[Zuni]], [[Navajo]], [[Mormon]], [[Latino|Spanish-American]] (Mexican-American), and Texas Homesteaders. A key methodological approach that he developed together with his wife [[Florence Rockwood Kluckhohn]] and colleagues [[Evon Z. Vogt]] and [[Ethel M. Vogt]], among others, was the Values Orientation Theory. They believed that cross-cultural understanding and communication could be facilitated by analyzing a given culture's orientation to five key aspects of human life: | + | In 1949, Kluckhohn began a long-term study of what he and his colleagues called "Values Orientations" among five adjacent communities in [[Texas]]: [[Zuni]], [[Navajo]], [[Mormon]], [[Latino|Spanish-American]] (Mexican-American), and Texas Homesteaders. A key methodological approach that he developed together with his wife, [[Florence Rockwood Kluckhohn]] and colleagues [[Evon Z. Vogt]] and [[Ethel M. Vogt]], among others, was the Values Orientation Theory. They believed that cross-cultural understanding and communication could be facilitated by analyzing a given culture's orientation to five key aspects of human life: |
#[[Human nature]] (people seen as intrinsically good, evil, or mixed); | #[[Human nature]] (people seen as intrinsically good, evil, or mixed); | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
| − | Kluckhohn’s [[eclectic]] approach to [[anthropology]] | + | Kluckhohn’s [[eclectic]] approach to [[anthropology]] prevented him from differentiating his [[theory]] as a specific school of anthropology or drawing any greater number of followers. Nevertheless, he was one of the most important anthropologists of the first half of the twentieth century. His work, especially on the [[Navajo]] Indians and in the area of [[cultural theory]] puts him in the Hall of Fame of American anthropology. |
| − | The Values Orientation Method that he started was developed furthest by Florence Kluckhohn and her colleagues and students in later years | + | The Values Orientation Method that he started was developed furthest by Florence Kluckhohn and her colleagues and students in later years. |
==Publications== | ==Publications== | ||
Revision as of 20:31, 19 April 2007
Clyde Kay Maben Kluckhohn (born January 11, 1905 – died July 28, 1960), was an American anthropologist and social theorist, best known for his long-term ethnographic work among the Navajo people and his contributions to the development of theory of culture within American anthropology.
Life
Clyde Kluckhohn was born in LeMars, Iowa, into the family of Clyde Clofford and Caroline Maben. His mother died at birth, and Kluckhohn was adopted by his maternal uncle. He started his education at school in Le Mars, then attended Culver Military Academy and in 1922, graduated from Lawrenceville School (New Jersey).
Kluckhohn matriculated at Princeton University, but due to poor health, was forced to take a break from studying and go to convalesce on a ranch in New Mexico owned by his mother's cousin's husband, Evon Z. Vogt. During this period, he first came into contact with the neighboring Navajo and began a lifelong love of their language and culture. He wrote two popular books based on his experiences in Navajo country, To the Foot of the Rainbow (1927) and Beyond the Rainbow (1933).
Kluckhohn resumed study at the University of Wisconsin and received his B.A. in Greek in 1928. He then studied classics at Corpus Christi College, at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar in 1928-1930. For the following two years, he studied anthropology at the University of Vienna and was exposed to psychoanalysis.
Kluckhohn was married in 1932 to Florence Rockwood, and received the post of assistant professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico. He was also a research associate in archeology at the School of American Research of the Museum of New Mexico. In 1934 he continued graduate work in anthropology at Harvard University where he received his Ph.D. in 1936. He subsequently started to work at Harvard as a professor in Social Anthropology (1946) and stayed with Harvard Department of Social Relations for the rest of his life.
Kluckhohn received many honors throughout his career. In 1947 he served as president of the American Anthropological Association and became the first director of the Russian Research Center at Harvard. In the same year, his book Mirror for Man won the McGraw Hill award for best popular writing on science.
Clyde Kluckhohn died of a heart attack in 1960 in a cabin on the Upper Pecos River near Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was survived by his wife and a son.
Work
Kluckhohn remains mostly renowned for his contributions to the ethnography of the Navajo Indians. His interest in Navajo people started early in his life, in 1922, when he lived among Navajos, learning their language and customs. During his career, he made numerous pack trips to the American West on his Wild Horse Mesa. From the summer of 1936 he started with a serious ethnographic work with the Ramah Navaho. In his Navaho Witchcraft (1944), perhaps one of his finest works, Kluckhohn combined psychoanalytic, learning, and social structure theory in describing the customs of Navajo Indians. Overall, throughout his life, he built a respectable compilation on the different aspects of Navajo culture.
In 1949, Kluckhohn began a long-term study of what he and his colleagues called "Values Orientations" among five adjacent communities in Texas: Zuni, Navajo, Mormon, Spanish-American (Mexican-American), and Texas Homesteaders. A key methodological approach that he developed together with his wife, Florence Rockwood Kluckhohn and colleagues Evon Z. Vogt and Ethel M. Vogt, among others, was the Values Orientation Theory. They believed that cross-cultural understanding and communication could be facilitated by analyzing a given culture's orientation to five key aspects of human life:
- Human nature (people seen as intrinsically good, evil, or mixed);
- Man-Nature relationship (the view that humans should be subordinate to nature, dominant over nature, or live in harmony with nature);
- Time (primary value placed on past/tradition, present/enjoyment, or future/posterity/delayed gratification);
- Activity (being, becoming/inner development, or doing/striving/industriousness); and
- Social relations (hierarchical, collateral/collective-egalitarian, or individualistic).
Kluckhohn’s approach to anthropology was rather eclectic, using various methodological approaches in his studies. He wrote about the relations between psychology, biology, cultural anthropology, and other disciplines. He believed that people are the product of an interesting mix of biology and culture.
Legacy
Kluckhohn’s eclectic approach to anthropology prevented him from differentiating his theory as a specific school of anthropology or drawing any greater number of followers. Nevertheless, he was one of the most important anthropologists of the first half of the twentieth century. His work, especially on the Navajo Indians and in the area of cultural theory puts him in the Hall of Fame of American anthropology.
The Values Orientation Method that he started was developed furthest by Florence Kluckhohn and her colleagues and students in later years.
Publications
- Kluckhohn, Clyde. 1927. To the foot of the rainbow. New York: Century Books
- Kluckhohn, Clyde. 1933. Beyond the rainbow. Boston: Christopher Pub. House
- Kluckhohn, Clyde. 1939. Some personal and social aspects of Navaho ceremonial practice. Harvard Theological Review, 32, 67-82.
- Kluckhohn, Clyde. 1949. Mirror for man. New York: Whittlesey House
- Kluckhohn, Clyde. 1951. Values and value-orientations in the theory of action: An exploration in definition and classification. In T. Parsons & E. Shils (Eds.), Toward a general theory of action. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
- Kluckhohn, Clyde. 1962. Culture and behavior: The collected essays of Clyde Kluckhohn. Free Press
- Kluckhohn, Clyde. 1962 (original published in 1946). The Navaho. DoubleDay. ISBN 0385019564
- Kluckhohn, Clyde. 1995 (original published in 1944). Navaho witchcraft. Beacon Press. ISBN 0807046973
- Kluckhohn. Clyde & Kroeber, A. L. 1952. Culture: A critical review of concepts and definitions. Cambridge, Mass: The Museum.
- Kluckhohn, Clyde, McCombe, Leonard, & Vogt, Evon Z. 1951. Navajo means People. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
- Kluckhohn, Clyde & Murray, Henry A. 1953. Personality in nature, society, and culture. New York: Knopf
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Kluckhohn, Florence R. 1973. Variations in value orientations. Greenwood Press. ISBN 083716740X
- Papers of Clyde Kluckhohn. University of Iowa Library, on http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/. Retrieved on April 14, 2007, <http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/spec-coll/MSC/ToMsC650/MsC640/kluckhohn.html>
- Parsons, Talcott & Evon Z. Vogt. 1962. Clyde Kae Maben Kluckhohn 1905-1960. American Anthropologist, 64, 140-161
- Parsons, T. 1973. Clyde Kluckhohn and the integration of social science. In W. W. Taylor, J. L. Fischer, & E. Z. Vogt (Eds.), Culture and life: Essays in memory of Clyde Kluckhohn (pp. 30-57). Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. ISBN 0809305828
- Powers, Willow R. 2000. The Harvard study of values: Mirror for postwar anthropology. Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences, 36(1), 15-29.
- Russo, Kurt W. 2000. Finding the middle ground: insights and applications of the value orientations method. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, Inc. ISBN 1877864765
External links
- Biographical note: Clyde Kluckhohn - Papers collection at the University of Iowa Library
- Clyde Kae Maben Kluckhohn 1905-1960 – Full text article by Parsons & Vogt (1962).
- Clyde Kluckhohn – Biography on BookRags.com
- Clyde Kluckhohn - Brief biography at Minnesota State University Mankato
- Values Orientation Method: A Tool to Help Understand Cultural Differences – Article by Tom Gallagher (2001)
- Queer Customs – Chapter from Kluckhohn’s Mirror for Man (1949)
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