Final answer:
Leslie White and Julian Steward developed the theory of cultural evolution, with White emphasizing technology's role in societal development and Steward focusing on cultural ecology.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leslie White, Julian Steward, and Theories of Cultural Evolution
Leslie White and Julian Steward developed the theory of cultural evolution. White focused on technology's role in driving societal complexity, while Steward introduced the concept of cultural ecology, looking at the adaptation of human groups to their environment and how this shapes their cultural practices. On the other hand, theories such as the Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST) by Margaret Beale Spencer dive deeper into individual experiences within their ecological environments. These anthropological perspectives are essential to understand the dynamic relationships between environment, technology, and society. Critical race theory, although not developed by White or Steward, complements the understanding of societal evolution by analyzing how race, as a social construct, has shaped social institutions and norms, especially in the context of American history.