35 pages • 1 hour read
Ruth BenedictPatterns of Culture
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1934A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Patterns of Culture by Ruth Benedict explores how different societies develop distinct cultural patterns that shape individual behaviors and attitudes. Examining the Zuñi, Dobuans, and Kwakiutl cultures, Benedict argues that these patterns, akin to personality types, influence societal norms. By advocating cultural relativism, Benedict challenges ethnocentric views and underscores the importance of understanding and respecting diverse cultural expressions.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ruth Benedict's Patterns of Culture is praised for its pioneering approach in anthropology, highlighting cultural relativism and the diversity of human societies. Critics appreciate its accessible writing and profound insights. However, some argue it oversimplifies complex cultures and relies too heavily on a limited number of case studies.
Who Should Read Patterns of Culture?
A reader with an interest in cultural anthropology and human behavior would enjoy Ruth Benedict's Patterns of Culture. Comparable to Margaret Mead's Coming of Age in Samoa and Clifford Geertz's The Interpretation of Cultures, this book appeals to those fascinated by the diversity of cultural practices and the underlying psychological foundations.