Which approach is least associated with modern cultural anthropology?

The approach that is least associated with modern cultural anthropology is rooted in the fact that cultural anthropology primarily focuses on the study of cultural variations among humans and the social practices and beliefs that define them. Cultural anthropologists traditionally engage in immersive fieldwork, utilizing methods like participant observation and ethnographic research to gain a deep understanding of the societies they study. This involves qualitative analyses and a focus on sociocultural perspectives.

While genetic and biological studies provide significant insights within the fields of biological anthropology and other related disciplines, they do not align with the core methods and objectives of cultural anthropology. Cultural anthropology emphasizes understanding societies through their cultures and practices rather than through biological or genetic frameworks. This distinction underscores why an approach centered on genetic and biological studies is less associated with the discipline, as it diverges from the focus on human cultures and social practices that characterizes modern cultural anthropology.