Franz Boas idea of how environment shape human development?

Franz Boas idea of how environment shape human development?.

The theory of environmental variation was developed by Franz Boas, a German anthropologist. His studies of the physical features of natives in New York revealed the influence of the physical environment on people's personality. He also published several other works including On Alternating Sounds and Handbook of the American Indian Languages, Primitive Art, Race, Language and Culture, and Anthropology and Modern Life. These works helped shape his philosophy and career.

Besides his groundbreaking work, Boas had a great influence on many other scientists. His ideas were influential to the development of anthropology and psychology. He founded the International Journal of American Linguistics, and was a founding member of the American Anthropological Association. He also served as the president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1891. However, the ideas and research that Boas promoted were controversial.

Although Boas was born in Germany, he pursued his studies in the United States. He studied physics and mathematics at two universities, and his doctoral thesis eventually led to problems in psychophysics. His three master's theses in geography followed. After earning his PhD in 1884, Boas worked as a geographer and planned an Arctic expedition. After working as a geographer, he was appointed as a docent at the University of Berlin.

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