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How and to what degree do world cultures differ in their sexual, familial, and social habits? How is this behavior related to instincts for survival and reproduction? This encyclopedia, alphabetically arranged by topic, provides detailed comparative essays addressing these questions and others in over 100 entries on topics including adult friendships, courtship, divorce customs, marriage forms, romantic love, sex taboos, and remarriage. B&w photographs. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Reseñas proporcionadas por Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Broude (psychology, Vassar) has produced a work that is more anthropological than psychological in nature, placing its emphasis on societal and tribal customs rather than on individuals' motivations. Broude uses the concept of sociobiology to explain why so many cultures have similarities in ideals-if not in the way these ideals are carried out. For example, in almost all cultures people will help their own kin before helping strangers, which Broude explains as an instinctive attempt by a person to make sure their genes (some of which are shared by their kin) survive. Similarly, Broude repeatedly explains the differences in male-female sex roles from an evolutionary perspective. Whether or not one agrees that biology is destiny, Broude makes a convincing case in several articles that this is a possible motivation for behaviors that occur across cultures. This philosophical underpinning aside, the encyclopedia has several idiosyncrasies. The articles have somewhat odd titles and are split where they don't necessarily need to be: for instance, interaction between husband and wife falls under "Husband-Wife Eating Arrangements," "Husband-Wife Joint Work Activities," "Husband-Wife Leisure," and more. While good indexing should be able to atone for some of the confusion, it will not make up for the overlap between entries. More disturbing, the sources cited tend to be fairly old, with quite a few dating from the 1950s and earlier. Works such as Companion Encyclopedia of Anthropology (LJ 2/1/94) cover the same ground-although without the focus on relationships-and tend to be more evenhanded in their explanations of why behaviors occur across cultures. The Companion Encyclopedia, for instance, draws on several different theories to explain why there are rules regarding who marries whom. Still, while Broude's encyclopedia will not function as a balanced or up-to-date single source, it will be a useful addition to almost any public or academic library seeking to expand a collection on family and relationship with a book that adds multicultural and sociobiological coverage.-Pamela A. Matthews, Missouri Western State Coll. Lib., St. Joseph (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

CHOICE Review

Broude treats major topics relevant to human relationships from a cross-cultural perspective. For more than 560 cultures, the book discusses beliefs, customs, taboos, etc. It also provides excellent historical bases and present-day norms for cultural activities such as double standards in sexual behavior, adolescent male-female interaction, attitudes towards sex, marriage customs, spouse beating, and the incest taboo. This wealth of sociological information features fascinating differences and similarities among cultures. In an age of multiculturalism, it is an essential reference tool. Entries, in alphabetical order, include cross-references, bibliographic citations, a beneficial subject index, and 30 illustrations. Social science research on many societies of the world is summarized; e.g., the Igbo of Nigeria, the Kapauku of New Guinea, the Taiwanese, and Native American cultures. Unique discussions of US customs are contrasted with social practices of other cultures. A timely, well-organized reference source. Highly recommended for academic or public libraries. M. E. Leverence; Governors State University

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Gwen Broude

Gwen J. Broude, Ph.D., is professor of psychology at Vassar College, New York.