Final answer:
Marcel Mauss's Gift Exchange theory was evolutionary to anthropology because it challenged prevailing economic theories, emphasized the social and symbolic meanings of gift exchange, and opened up new avenues for understanding economic transactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Marcel Mauss's Gift Exchange theory was evolutionary to anthropology because it challenged the prevailing economic theories of his time and introduced a new perspective on the role of gift-giving in societies. Mauss argued that gift exchange was not just a simple act of generosity but had deep social and symbolic meanings.
His theory emphasized the idea that gift exchange creates social bonds and obligations between individuals and communities. It highlighted the reciprocity and obligation associated with gift-giving, which is essential for maintaining social cohesion and solidarity.
Mauss's work opened up new avenues for understanding the social and cultural dimensions of economic transactions, challenging the prevailing notion of purely self-interest motivated economic behavior. His theory had a significant impact on the field of anthropology, shaping the study of economic anthropology and influencing subsequent generations of anthropologists and sociologists.