RUTH BENEDICT AND THE STUDY OF THAI CULTURE

Authors

Nicola B. Tannenbaum, Lehigh UniversityFollow

Abstract

In this paper, I place Thai Culture and Behavior in the context of Benedict’s work and life, American anthropology, and Thai studies. The paper begins with a summary of Benedict’s study and a critique of her Thai ethnography. This is followed with a discussion of its initial reception when it was first published and its later place in biographies about Benedict. Finally, I turn to my initial question of the role of Thai Culture and Behavior in Thai studies. Here I examine the two subsequent anthropological studies of Thailand: Embree’s seminal essay, “Thailand—A Loosely Structured Society,” the first field- workbased study of central Thailand, and the Cornell-Bennington Bang Chan Project. I then discuss the place of Benedict’s work in more recent anthropological analyses of Thailand.

Recommended Citation

Tannenbaum, Nicola B. (2009) "RUTH BENEDICT AND THE STUDY OF THAI CULTURE," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 32: No. 2, Article 11.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol32/iss2/11