The paradigm known as unilineal cultural evolution:
A) argues that human societies have evolved along a single developmental trajectory, with western civilization as the most advanced evolutionary stage.
B) argues that cultures can only be understood in their own terms, and cannot be usefully compared to other cultures.
C) argues against ethnocentrism, stressing the equality of all cultures, with none superior to any other.
D) has proven extremely useful for understanding cultural change; most anthropologists operate within this paradigm today.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Unilineal cultural evolution posits that societies progress through a series of stages in a single, linear path, often placing Western civilization at the pinnacle. This perspective has been largely discredited and is not widely accepted among contemporary anthropologists.

The Paradigm Known as Unilineal Cultural Evolution