structuralism

American  

[struhk-cher-uh-liz-uhm] / ˈstrʌk tʃər əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. any theory that embodies structural principles.

2. structural anthropology.

3. structural linguistics.

4. structural psychology.

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structuralism British  

/ ˈstrʌktʃərəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. an approach to anthropology and other social sciences and to literature that interprets and analyses its material in terms of oppositions, contrasts, and hierarchical structures, esp as they might reflect universal mental characteristics or organizing principles Compare functionalism

2. an approach to linguistics that analyses and describes the structure of language, as distinguished from its comparative and historical aspects

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• structuralistic
  adjective
• structuralist
  noun
• antistructuralist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of structuralism

First recorded in 1945–50; structural + -ism

Example Sentences

Structuralism was accompanied by what is known in philosophy as the linguistic turn.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022