Robert B. Edgerton

Robert B. Edgerton (1931-2016) was an American anthropologist and professor who specialized in psychological and medical anthropology. His research and writings focused on cross-cultural studies of human behavior, mental illness, and social deviance. As a distinguished professor at UCLA, Edgerton conducted extensive fieldwork in East Africa and published influential works examining how different societies view and handle mental illness, disability, and social nonconformity. His book "The Cloak of Competence" (1967) became a landmark study of deinstitutionalization and adaptation among mentally disabled individuals. Edgerton challenged prevailing anthropological theories about cultural relativism through works like "Sick Societies" (1992), which examined dysfunctional aspects of various cultures rather than accepting all cultural practices as equally valid. His research methodology combined traditional ethnographic approaches with psychological and biological perspectives. The scope of his published work spans mental health, warfare, social deviance, and cultural maladaptation across different societies. His contributions helped bridge gaps between anthropology, psychology and sociology while maintaining scientific rigor in cross-cultural research.

Readers praise Edgerton's clear writing style and his willingness to challenge established anthropological views. Reviews note his thorough research and ability to present complex cross-cultural concepts accessibly. What readers liked: - Direct examination of controversial topics in anthropology - Detailed ethnographic evidence and case studies - Balance of academic rigor with readable prose What readers disliked: - Some find his critiques of cultural relativism too harsh - Academic tone can be dry in places - Limited updates to early works in subsequent editions On Goodreads, "Sick Societies" averages 3.9/5 stars from 89 ratings. Readers commend its "thought-provoking analysis" but note it can be "academically dense." "The Cloak of Competence" maintains 4.1/5 stars from 42 ratings, with reviewers highlighting its "groundbreaking insights into institutionalization." Amazon reviews average 4.2/5 stars across his works, with readers appreciating his "frank discussion of cultural dysfunction" while some critique his "Western academic perspective."

Sick Societies: Challenging the Myth of Primitive Harmony (1992) Examines dysfunctional practices and maladaptive behaviors across various cultures, challenging the notion that traditional societies are inherently harmonious.

The Cloak of Competence: Stigma in the Lives of the Mentally Retarded (1967) Studies how mentally disabled individuals adapt to community life after deinstitutionalization and manage societal stigma.

Rules, Exceptions, and Social Order (1985) Analyzes how different societies establish, maintain, and enforce social rules while accommodating exceptions.

Deviance: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (1976) Explores how various cultures define and respond to social deviance and nonconformity.

Like Lions They Fought: The Zulu War and the Last Black Empire in South Africa (1988) Documents the military history of the Anglo-Zulu War and its impact on Zulu society.

Warriors of the Rising Sun: A History of the Japanese Military (1997) Chronicles the development and actions of the Japanese military from the Meiji period through World War II.

Drunken Comportment: A Social Explanation (1969) Investigates how different cultures perceive and express alcohol intoxication behaviors.

Napoleon Chagnon conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork among the Yanomami people and wrote about warfare, violence, and social behavior in tribal societies. His work combines rigorous anthropological methods with consideration of biological and evolutionary factors in human behavior.

E.O. Wilson bridged anthropology and biology through his work on sociobiology and human nature. His research examines how evolutionary forces shape social behavior across cultures, with particular focus on the biological basis of human social organization.

Colin Turnbull studied African societies and wrote detailed ethnographies examining dysfunction and adaptation in different cultures. His fieldwork among the Ik people explored how extreme conditions can affect social organization and cultural practices.

Marvin Harris developed cultural materialism as an approach to understanding how societies function and adapt. His research focused on finding scientific explanations for cultural practices and challenging relativistic interpretations of human behavior.

George Peter Murdock created systematic methods for cross-cultural comparison and studied patterns of behavior across different societies. His work establishing the Human Relations Area Files provided tools for examining cultural universals and variations in human social organization.