Final answer:
Unilinear evolution theories propose a linear progression of human societies from savagery to civilization, emphasizing technology as a key driver. These stages were proposed by 19th-century anthropologists like E.B. Tylor and Lewis H. Morgan but have since been largely abandoned.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stages of human societies according to unilinear evolution theories suggest a singular sequence through which all human cultures were believed to evolve. Pioneered by anthropologists like E.B. Tylor and Lewis H. Morgan in the 19th century, this perspective delineated cultural progression from savagery, through barbarism, to civilization. The unilinear approach has, however, been widely abandoned in favor of more complex and varied understandings of cultural change.
According to Tylor and Morgan, societies moved linearly through technological improvement, which acted as the primary driver of cultural evolution. Morgan detailed the stages with subcategories, emphasizing technology's role in shaping social practices and thoughts. Nevertheless, the simplicity of the unilinear framework has been critiqued for neglecting the unique historical trajectories and the interconnectedness of cultural developments across different societies.