8 Cultural Universals That Help You Understand Societies Better
Culture is an essential aspect of a society that defines its behavioral traits, values, and norms. Every society has specific cultural patterns that set them apart from others. These patterns may seem different from ours, but they play a vital role in shaping the way people live and think. Societies worldwide share eight cultural universals that help us better understand their way of life.
1. Language
Language is the most fundamental tool to communicate in society. It allows people to exchange their thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Every society has a language that is unique to it. Language brings people together and helps in creating strong bonds within communities.
For instance, in Japan, people use a specific language called Keigo to show respect to elders and superiors. This cultural norm is a part of Japanese society, and it is essential to understand its significance to communicate efficiently.
2. Beliefs and Religion
Beliefs and religion define the spirituality of a society. Every society has its set of beliefs and practices that guide their behavior. Religion is one of the primary sources of guidance that affects the moral system of a society.
For example, in India, cows are considered holy, and people worship them as a part of their religion. This cultural norm affects the behavior of people towards cows and the use of their products.
3. Family System
Family systems differ across societies. However, all societies have a unique structure that accommodates family norms and values. It has a direct impact on society’s behavior towards relationships and marriage, which differ across cultures.
For instance, in the United States, relationships between unmarried couples are accepted compared to the conservative norms of Saudi Arabia.
4. Arts and Aesthetics
Every society has unique art forms that reflect its cultural values and traditions. Arts and aesthetics are essential to express the emotions and creativity of people. Architecture, music, painting, and theater are some of the primary forms of art that differ across cultures.
For instance, in Islamic culture, calligraphy is a vital art form that is used to represent Islamic values and morals.
5. Education
Education is one of the cornerstones of every society. The level and style of education differ across cultures, affecting the behavior and attitude of people. Education is necessary for personal and societal development, and it is essential to understand its style of teaching and curriculum.
For example, in Japan, education emphasizes teaching respect and discipline. Japanese students are expected to learn moral values and etiquette from an early age.
6. Technology
Technology affects the lifestyle and behavior of people. It enhances the production and efficiency of societies, making life easier and more comfortable. Technology adoption varies across cultures, with some societies being more welcoming to technological change than others.
For instance, in Western societies, technology is an essential aspect of daily life, whereas, in Africa, it is still in its infancy stages.
7. Economy
Economy plays a vital role in society, affecting people’s behavior and attitudes. Every society has a unique economic system that shapes its values and norms. It is essential to understand a society’s economic system to understand its behavior towards materialism and success.
For example, in capitalist societies like the United States, material success is valued over communal wellbeing; in contrast, in socialist societies like Cuba, communal wellbeing is given more importance.
8. Politics and Governance
Politics and governance define the political system of a society, affecting its values and norms. Political systems differ across cultures, and it is important to understand their political structure to understand the behavior of people.
For example, in China, the political system is a one-party system that emphasizes social harmony and collective wellbeing. The Chinese society values stability over individual rights.
In conclusion, understanding the cultural universals provides vital insights into a society’s way of life. It is essential to understand society’s values and norms to engage and interact with people better. The eight cultural universals provide a framework for analyzing and understanding the cultural patterns of any society.
