How does the identification of cultural universals impact our understanding of what it means to be human? How does the search for universals help us better understand human cultural behavior? What examples from your own culture can illustrate the ideas that our behaviors are impacted by our culture more than our biology? Use terminology from the text and ideas from your own life to support your answers.
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As I was reading about what a cultural anthropologist does, I had to laugh when I read over these words, but the keys words are so much of the primary factor in the research of their job. A huge part of cultural anthropologist’s job is figuring out the yuk factor and delicious factor within ones culture. Our book used the example that Muslins do not eat Pork this would be considered a yuk factor (Nowak & Laird, 2010). We all identify from early in life with culture within our family and once we became of school as our interpretation and observation widens.
The concept of cultural universals has a significant impact on our understanding of what it means to be human. Cultural universals refer to common patterns or traits that can be found across different cultures around the world. These universal aspects of culture help us identify fundamental similarities and shared characteristics among diverse human societies.
The recognition of cultural universals broadens our perspective on human cultural behavior. By identifying commonalities across cultures, we can better understand the essential elements that make us human, beyond the variations caused by specific cultural practices or beliefs.
The search for universals aids in the study of human cultural behavior by highlighting the underlying biological and psychological aspects that shape our behaviors. It allows us to examine the innate human qualities that transcend cultural differences and influence our actions and values.
To illustrate how behaviors are impacted more by culture than biology, let me give you an example from my own culture. In many Western societies, personal space is valued, and there are established norms regarding how close people should be when interacting. This concept of personal space can vary significantly across cultures. In some cultures, such as those in Latin America, people tend to stand closer to each other during conversations. This difference in personal space norms demonstrates how cultural factors influence our behaviors, preferences, and perceptions of what is comfortable.
Furthermore, the way we view and interpret time is another example of cultural impact on behavior. Some cultures prioritize punctuality and strict adherence to schedules, while others have a more flexible approach to time. This cultural difference affects how people plan their activities, interact with others, and perceive the importance of timeliness.
In my own life, I have experienced the impact of culture on behavior through food preferences. Growing up in a multicultural household, I was exposed to different cuisines and dietary habits. While some foods were universally appealing, others were acquired tastes that depended on cultural context. For instance, I developed a taste for spicy foods due to exposure to South Asian cuisine, which is prevalent in my family. This preference for spiciness is not biologically determined but rather shaped by cultural influences.
In summary, the identification of cultural universals enhances our understanding of what it means to be human by highlighting shared characteristics across diverse cultures. Exploring these universal aspects helps us better understand human cultural behavior by distinguishing between biological and cultural influences on our actions. Examples from personal experiences, such as personal space norms or food preferences, demonstrate that behaviors are more impacted by cultural factors rather than biological predispositions.