Final answer:
Psychological anthropology examines culture's impact on psychological development and is heavily influenced by Franz Boas and his students. Boas's rigorous fieldwork methodology and holistic approach provided a strong foundation for exploring cultural factors in psychology. Key contributions came from students such as Benedict, Mead, and Sapir in the fields of cultural personality, child-rearing, and the intersection of language and psychology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychological Anthropology and Franz Boas
Psychological anthropology is a subfield of anthropology that focuses on cultural influences on psychological development and the universality versus the cultural specificity of psychological processes. Franz Boas, a pivotal figure in this discipline, established field research standards influencing contemporary anthropological practices. His holistic approach integrated cultural anthropology, linguistics, medical anthropology, and other areas to shape our understanding of human societies. Influential figures like Ruth Benedict, Margaret Mead, and Edward Sapir, who were students of Boas, each extended their mentor's work in various ways, impacting psychological anthropology profoundly. Benedict's cultural personality studies, Mead's analysis of adolescence and child-rearing practices, and Sapir's insights into language and psychology contributed significantly to the discipline's foundations.
Boas urged for ethnographic data collection directly from indigenous peoples rather than relying on secondary sources. Work by other anthropologists such as Margaret Floy Washburn and Mary Whiton Calkins also contributed to understanding the evolution of psychology as a science.
In summary, Boas's work emphasized the importance of fieldwork and direct observation in the evolution of anthropology. His insistence on a holistic study of human culture paved the way for psychological anthropology to explore the intricate ways in which culture and personality interact.