Functional Theory and Basic Needs

The question asks to identify the theorist who proposed a functional theory centered on basic and derived needs.

Malinowski's Functionalism Explained

Bronisław Malinowski, a prominent anthropologist, developed a theory of functionalism. This theory suggests that social institutions and cultural practices exist because they fulfill specific human needs.

• Basic Needs (Biological Needs): Malinowski identified fundamental biological requirements essential for survival, such as nutrition, reproduction, shelter, and hygiene.
• Derived Needs (Psychosocial Needs): He argued that basic needs lead to the development of derived needs. These are social and psychological needs shaped by culture, including the need for social order, education, economic organization, and political structure. Cultural institutions arise to meet these derived needs, which in turn help satisfy the basic ones.

Identifying the Theorist

Based on Malinowski's functional theory, which explicitly links cultural phenomena to the fulfillment of both basic biological and derived social/psychological needs, he is the correct answer.

Comparing this to the given options:

• B. Malinowski: Directly aligns with the functional theory based on basic and derived needs.
• E. Durkheim: Focused on social facts and collective consciousness.
• R.K. Merton: Developed structural functionalism, refining earlier ideas but Malinowski is primary for this specific concept.
• Herbert Spencer: A social evolutionist who used organic analogies for society.

Therefore, B. Malinowski is the correct choice.