AbstractsPsychology

Problems in the origin of the family.

by Mendel. Laxer




Institution: McGill University
Department: Department of Psychology.
Degree: MA.
Year: 1939
Keywords: Families  – History.
Record ID: 1587122
Full text PDF: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile130145.pdf


Abstract

60 During the last seventy-five years there have been numerous studies on the origin and history of the family. Viewpoints on the subject have varied. There have been "EVOLUTIONISTS", there have been "MONOGAMISTS" and there have been investigators of other shades of opinion. (1)-* Theories on the origin of the family have shown the same type of variety as theories in the social sciences generally. The differences in viewpoint arise from fundamentally different philosophies and methodologies. (2)-* In this study we have two objectives in view. (1) To outline the fundamental problems and lines of evidence in a study of the origin of the family. (2) To consider and compare the interpretations offered for these lines of evidence by various Anthropologists. our study will concern itself with three sets of problems: (1) Forms of sexual relations in the early infancy of the Human Race. (2) Different family forms on different continents and among different races, the relation between these family forms and tribal organization. (3) The origin of the modern monogamous family.[...]