Final answer:
The founders of the functionalist perspective in anthropology are Bronislaw Malinowski and A. R. Radcliffe-Brown, who developed and expanded upon the ideas initially laid out by sociologist Emile Durkheim and philosopher Herbert Spencer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The founder of the functionalist perspective in anthropology is not attributable to one sole individual. While French sociologist Emile Durkheim laid the groundwork for functionalist theory in sociology, in anthropology, it was further developed by Bronislaw Malinowski and A. R. Radcliffe-Brown. Functionalism considers society as an organism where various parts function to maintain the system. Malinowski contributed by focusing on the needs individuals have and how cultural practices meet those needs. On the other hand, Radcliffe-Brown's structural functionalism emphasized the interrelatedness of societal structures. Both can be considered as founders in the anthropological context of functionalism.
Herbert Spencer is often cited as providing the foundational concepts that functionalism in sociology builds upon, comparing society to a living organism and arguing that different parts of society function together to maintain overall social stability. However, he predates what strictly defines the functionalist perspective in anthropology. Therefore, while foundational to the broader understanding of functionalism within the social sciences, Spencer is not considered the founder of functionalist anthropology itself.
In summary, the founder of the functionalist perspective specifically in anthropology is a title that can be collectively attributed to both Bronislaw Malinowski and A. R. Radcliffe-Brown, as they both significantly shaped the functionalist perspective within the field.