cultural determinism

Cultural determinism posits that the culture surrounding an individual profoundly influences their behavior, attitudes, values, and beliefs. This influence is so powerful that it can override basic biological drives, such as the sex urge, leading to practices like premarital chastity or even vows of celibacy. Culture can also dictate extreme actions, like choosing to die of hunger when food is available but deemed unclean, or committing suicide to erase dishonor.1

Societies are structured through social organization, with systems evolving from simple to complex. Early societies primarily consisted of local groups and families, with specialization mainly along sex and age lines. More advanced societies develop occupational classes and territorial segments, like counties and states. This segmentation is crucial for increasing a society's size and power while maintaining solidarity.2

While the environment influences culture, it doesn't solely determine it. Cultures adapt to their surroundings, developing specific traits like the Eskimos' adaptations to Arctic conditions. However, environments permit, encourage, or prohibit certain cultural traits rather than dictating them. For instance, some South American tribes in harsh climates had minimal clothing and dwellings.3