Reflections on the nature of cultural distributions and the units of culture problem

Article Abstract:

This article examines the usefulness of defining stable, discrete units of culture to investigate the process of culture distribution. Cultural units, or complexes of cultural traits, are distributionally unstable and dimensionally variable entities that can be used with certain data elicitation methods to produce replicable results in cross-cultural studies.

Social change, Social systems, Cultural anthropology

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Culture-bearing units and the units of culture: an introduction

Article Abstract:

This article examines the possibility of using culture-bearing units, or specific traits or themes that make up a culture, in cross-cultural research. Using stable and defined cultural units to compare cultures could facilitate a more comprehensive investigation of cultural diffusion, change, evolution, and transmission.

Methods, Cross-cultural studies, Cross cultural studies, Ethnological methods

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Case studies in cultural control: John M. Roberts's four Southwestern men

Article Abstract:

John M. Roberts collected data, during the summers of 1949, 1950, and 1951 on the levels of knowledge that a Zuni, a Navaho, a Mormon, and a Spanish American had of their own cultures. Results indicate that four men seemed to have better control of utilitarian than expressive topics.

Multiculturalism, Utilitarianism

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