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: Vol. 32: No. 2, Article 11.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol32/iss2/11