Structuralism vs. Formalism — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 25, 2023
Structuralism studies human culture through language and shared structures; Formalism analyzes art's intrinsic characteristics, disregarding content or context.
Difference Between Structuralism and Formalism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Structuralism and Formalism are both analytical approaches, but they diverge in their focal points and applications. Structuralism, rooted in linguistics and anthropology, emphasizes understanding human culture through shared structures and patterns, suggesting that these structures shape human experience. On the other hand, Formalism, prevalent in art, literature, and film studies, zooms in on the intrinsic characteristics of a work, such as form and technique, often sidelining content and historical or social context.
Structuralism posits that cultural phenomena are best understood by examining underlying structures, like language, myths, and narratives. Conversely, Formalism would direct one's attention to the form, structure, and compositional techniques of a poem rather than its theme or author's biography.
While Structuralism seeks a deeper understanding of human culture and behavior by decoding patterns, Formalism aims for a pure appreciation of art by focusing solely on its inherent traits.
Comparison Chart
Primary Focus
Underlying structures in culture and language.
Intrinsic characteristics of art and literature.
Roots
Linguistics and anthropology.
Art, literature, and film studies.
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Analysis Approach
Examines patterns and shared structures.
Focuses on form, technique, and structure.
Excludes
Often neglects individual variation.
Often disregards content or historical context.
Main Objective
Understand human culture and experience.
Appreciate art's inherent qualities.
Compare with Definitions
Structuralism
Rooted in the belief that human activities are constructed and not natural.
Structuralism contends that our perceptions are shaped by societal structures.
Formalism
Concerned with the inherent characteristics of artistic works.
Formalism in literature looks at stylistic devices rather than thematic content.
Structuralism
A theory asserting that phenomena are best understood through their structures.
Structuralism decodes narratives to uncover cultural truths.
Formalism
An analytical approach focusing on art's form over content.
Formalism values a painting's technique over its subject matter.
Structuralism
A method studying culture through language and structures.
Structuralism examines the shared myths across cultures.
Formalism
(philosophy of mathematics) The ontological view of mathematics as a mere collection of string manipulation rules.
Structuralism
Focuses on systems, rules, and conventions within culture.
Through structuralism, linguists uncover the rules of languages.
Formalism
A tendency to view art in isolation from historical or social context.
Formalism can analyze a film without considering its socio-political background.
Structuralism
In sociology, anthropology, archaeology, history, philosophy and linguistics, structuralism is a general theory of culture and methodology that implies that elements of human culture must be understood by way of their relationship to a broader system. It works to uncover the structures that underlie all the things that humans do, think, perceive, and feel.
Formalism
Rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms, as in religion or art.
Structuralism
A method of analyzing phenomena, as in anthropology, linguistics, psychology, or literature, chiefly characterized by contrasting the elemental components of the phenomena in a system of binary opposition and examining how the elemental components are combined to make larger units.
Formalism
An instance of rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms.
Structuralism
A theory of sociology that views elements of society as part of a cohesive, self-supporting structure.
Formalism
A method of aesthetic analysis that emphasizes structural elements and artistic techniques rather than content, especially in literary works.
Structuralism
(biology) A school of biological thought that deals with the law-like behaviour of the structure of organisms and how it can change, emphasising that organisms are wholes, and therefore that change in one part must necessarily take into account the inter-connected nature of the entire organism.
Formalism
Strict adherence to a given form of conduct, practice etc.
Structuralism
(linguistics) The theory that a human language is a self-contained structure related to other elements which make up its existence.
Formalism
(computing) One of several alternative computational paradigms for a given theory.
Structuralism
(psychology) A school of thought that focuses on exploring the individual elements of consciousness, how they are organized into more complex experiences, and how these mental phenomena correlate with physical events.
Formalism
(literature) An approach to interpretation and/or evaluation focused on the (usually linguistic) structure of a literary work rather than on the contexts of its origin or reception.
Structuralism
(mathematics) In the philosophy of mathematics, a theory that holds that mathematical theories describe structures, and that mathematical objects are exhaustively defined by their place in such structures.
Formalism
(music) The tendency to elevate formal above expressive value in music, as in serialism.
Structuralism
Linguistics defined as the analysis of formal structures in a text or discourse
Formalism
A particular mathematical or scientific theory or description of a given state or effect.
Structuralism
An anthropological theory that there are unobservable social structures that generate observable social phenomena
Formalism
A formal expression of a grammar; a formal grammar; a set of rules of syntax that, without reference to semantics, determine whether a sequence of symbols is a well-formed sentence in a given formal language.
Structuralism
A sociological theory based on the premise that society comes before individuals
Formalism
The practice or the doctrine of strict adherence to, or dependence on, external forms, esp. in matters of religion.
Official formalism.
Structuralism
An approach emphasizing patterns in human behavior and culture.
Structuralism views language as a key to understanding human thought.
Formalism
The doctrine that formal structure rather than content is what should be represented
Formalism
(philosophy) the philosophical theory that formal (logical or mathematical) statements have no meaning but that its symbols (regarded as physical entities) exhibit a form that has useful applications
Formalism
The practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or external forms
Formalism
An emphasis on the structure, technique, and composition of art.
Formalism appreciates music based on its compositional elements, not its lyrics.
Formalism
Prioritizes the aesthetic qualities of a piece.
Formalism celebrates the beauty of prose, irrespective of its narrative.
Common Curiosities
Is Structuralism only about studying language?
No, while rooted in linguistics, structuralism examines various cultural phenomena.
Does Formalism disregard the meaning of a work?
Formalism prioritizes form and technique over content or external context.
Which approach focuses more on societal patterns?
Structuralism delves into societal and cultural patterns.
Why is structuralism linked with anthropology?
Structuralism examines cultural phenomena, making it relevant to anthropological studies.
Can formalism be applied to film?
Yes, it analyzes films based on cinematography, editing, and form, often sidelining narrative or context.
Are Structuralism and Formalism mutually exclusive?
No, they're different approaches, but a work can be studied using both methods.
Does structuralism believe in individual uniqueness?
Structuralism often generalizes based on shared structures, sometimes sidelining individual nuances.
Can I use Formalism to study music?
Yes, formalism can analyze the compositional elements of music.
Is Formalism only about artistic appreciation?
Primarily, yes; it emphasizes aesthetic qualities over historical or social aspects.
What do formalists say about authorial intent?
Formalism tends to sideline authorial intent, focusing more on the work itself.
What's the formalist view on a poem's background?
Formalism would primarily analyze the poem's form and technique, often neglecting its background.
Can both these approaches be modernly relevant?
Yes, both offer unique perspectives and remain significant in various academic and artistic fields.
Are there criticisms of structuralism?
Yes, critics argue it overly generalizes and neglects individual and historical variations.
Why might one choose formalism for art analysis?
To focus purely on the art's intrinsic characteristics without external influences.
In what studies is structuralism predominantly found?
Linguistics, anthropology, and cultural studies often employ structuralism.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
