As investigators who illustrated the functionalist approach in anthropology, both Malinowski and Radcliffe-Brown’s ethnographic research focused on A. myth and ritual and the ways that these aspects of culture created social cohesion. B. the evolutionary history of present-day cultural patterns. C. the role of cultural traits and practices in contemporary societies D. the symbolic value that cultural traits and practices held with members of contemporary society. E. the role of cultural traits and practices aimed at conflict resolution.

Radcliffe-Brown created functionalism claiming that every cultural element serves a purpose in supporting the social structure of the group. This approach prioritizes group needs before individual needs.

Malinowski, on the other hand, studied Psychological Functionalism which claims all practices principally respond to individual needs, and the support granted to the social structure is only a consequence of that.