Final answer:
Franz Boas and Bronislaw Malinowski were influential anthropologists who redefined the field. Boas developed the foundations of modern anthropology and combated racism, while Malinowski produced detailed ethnographic studies demonstrating the complexity of 'primitive' societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Franz Boas and Bronislaw Malinowski were pioneering figures in the field of anthropology. Boas is credited with the development of modern anthropology, challenging the ethnocentric and racist views prevalent in his time. He promoted cultural relativism, emphasizing the importance of field research and the idea that each culture has its own unique history. Boas's work also had significant implications in debunking racial theories by demonstrating that environmental factors could affect physical characteristics, such as skull size.
On the other hand, Bronislaw Malinowski is renowned for his detailed ethnographic work in the Trobriand Islands. His approach highlighted that even societies labeled as 'primitive' had complex cultural systems to meet human needs. Malinowski's extensive fieldwork led to his three-volume ethnography, which became an important reference for understanding the economics, religion, and kinship systems of the Trobriand people. Both scholars left enduring legacies that reshaped the discipline of anthropology.