A cultural universal is an element, pattern, trait, or institution that is common to all known human cultures worldwide.
Understanding Cultural Universals
In simple terms, cultural universals are aspects of culture that appear in every human society. Despite the vast diversity found across different cultures around the globe, there are certain fundamental similarities that seem to be inherent to human social organization and interaction. These commonalities are what anthropologists and sociologists refer to as cultural universals.
The study of cultural universals helps us understand what makes us human and provides insights into the underlying structure and function of human societies.
According to the provided reference, the entire collection of these shared elements across humanity is sometimes referred to as the human condition.
Why Do Cultural Universals Exist?
The existence of cultural universals is often attributed to:
- Basic Human Needs: All humans have fundamental biological and social needs that must be met (e.g., sustenance, shelter, social interaction, reproduction). Cultures develop institutions and practices to address these needs.
- Shared Human Biology: Our common biological makeup influences how we perceive the world and interact with others, leading to similar patterns in behavior and social structure.
- Common Challenges: All human societies face similar challenges from their environment and from within the group (e.g., conflict resolution, raising children, transmitting knowledge).
Examples of Cultural Universals
While the specific form of a cultural universal might vary greatly from one culture to another, the underlying presence of the element or pattern is consistent.
Here are some common examples:
- Language: All cultures have a system of communication using language. While the languages themselves are different, the presence of language is universal.
- Family or Kinship Systems: All societies have ways of organizing relationships based on descent and marriage, although the structure of families and rules of kinship vary widely.
- Art: Forms of creative expression, such as music, dance, storytelling, or visual arts, are found in every known culture.
- Religion or Belief Systems: All societies have some form of belief system regarding the supernatural, the meaning of life, or moral codes.
- Rules of Etiquette: Every culture has norms governing appropriate behavior in social situations.
- Gender Roles: While the specifics differ, all societies differentiate roles and expectations based on gender.
Let's look at a simplified comparison:
| Cultural Universal | Universal Concept | Example Variation (Culture A) | Example Variation (Culture B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family | System for organizing kinship | Nuclear family (parents+children) | Extended family (multiple generations) |
| Marriage | Socially sanctioned union | Monogamy | Polygyny |
| Art | Creative expression | Realistic paintings | Abstract sculpture |
| Language | System of symbolic communication | Spoken language | Sign language |
These examples illustrate how the category or function is universal, but the specific manifestation is culturally bound.
Cultural universals highlight the shared foundation of humanity while simultaneously providing a framework to understand the incredible diversity expressed in human cultures.
