Final answer:
Comparing Tyler, Boaz, and Malinowski's views on culture and personality requires examining their different anthropological theories. Tylor and Morgan believed in unilineal cultural evolution, while Boas proposed a unique cultural trajectory for each society, and Malinowski demonstrated complex cultural systems in 'primitive' societies. Each view contributes significantly to understanding how cultures impact personality traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing Tyler, Boaz, and Malinowski's views on culture and personality involves looking at different anthropological perspectives on how cultures evolve and influence individual personality traits. Edward B. Tylor and Lewis Henry Morgan, associated with the unilineal evolution theory, believed cultures pass through a common set of developmental stages. In contrast, Franz Boas, a pioneer of cultural relativism, argued that each culture evolves according to its own unique trajectory and emphasized the diffusion of cultural elements through trade, migration, and conquest, rejecting unilineal evolution. Bronislaw Malinowski, known for his functionalist approach, showed that even societies considered 'primitive' had complex cultural systems to meet human needs. This was evident in his detailed study of the Trobriand Islanders of Papua New Guinea, where he emphasized the functionality of culture in satisfying the array of human necessities.
These views have significant implications for understanding personality within cultural contexts. Boas's students, notably Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead, further explored the relationship between culture and personality, contributing to the foundation of psychological anthropology. Benedict, in particular, looked into common personality traits within cultures but faced criticism for potential bias due to limited perspectives. The importance of considering cultural influences on personality is further underscored by recent research which suggests that personality traits vary considerably across cultures and are influenced by whether a society is more collectivist or individualist in nature.