According to B. Malinowski, which among the following are true about culture?

A. Culture is an instrument which enables man to secure his bio-psychic survival.
B. Culture is a super organic reality.
C. Culture helps mental and intellectual survival of man.
D. Each aspect of a culture is rooted in the needs of the human being.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

A, C and D only

Bronislaw Malinowski, a prominent anthropologist, is known for his theory of functionalism in culture. According to Malinowski, culture serves a practical function in meeting the biological, psychological, and social needs of human beings. He emphasized that culture is not merely a set of customs or traditions but is an essential system for human survival.

• A. Culture is an instrument which enables man to secure his bio-psychic survival: Malinowski argued that culture helps individuals meet their basic biological and psychological needs, allowing them to survive and thrive in their environment.
• B. Culture is a super organic reality: While Malinowski acknowledged the significance of culture, the term "super organic reality" was more associated with Alfred Kroeber, not Malinowski. This concept suggests that culture exists beyond the individual and cannot be reduced to human biology or psychology alone.
• C. Culture helps mental and intellectual survival of man: Malinowski believed that culture plays a vital role in ensuring the mental and intellectual survival of individuals by providing frameworks for learning, problem-solving, and interacting with the environment.
• D. Each aspect of a culture is rooted in the needs of the human being: For Malinowski, every cultural practice or institution had its origins in fulfilling human needs, such as food, security, and social interaction.

Thus, the correct options are A, C, and D, as they align with Malinowski's functionalist perspective that culture serves to fulfill human needs.

Information Booster:

1. Functionalism in Culture – Malinowski's functionalism suggests that cultural practices, beliefs, and institutions exist because they serve necessary functions in society, such as the fulfillment of individual and group needs.
2. Psychic and Biological Needs – According to Malinowski, culture is integral to survival, providing humans with ways to manage their biological needs (such as food and shelter) and their psychological needs (such as emotional well-being and social relations).
3. Role of Culture – Culture is seen as a dynamic system that adapts to changes in the environment, social structures, and individual needs, ensuring long-term survival.
4. Holistic View of Culture – Malinowski believed that each aspect of culture plays a role in maintaining the functioning of society, from family structures to rituals to economic activities.

Additional Knowledge:

• Alfred Kroeber: Known for the concept of super organic culture, Kroeber suggested that culture exists independently of individual humans and is passed down across generations.
• Malinowski’s Functionalism: This theory is a central tenet in anthropology, focusing on how each part of society contributes to the functioning of the whole, particularly in meeting individual and group needs.