Patterns of Culture: The Bestselling Introduction to Cultural Anthropology―Exploring Diversity and What It Means to Be Human

by Ruth Benedict

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About This Book

Patterns of Culture by Ruth Benedict is a classic introduction to cultural anthropology that compares diverse societies to show how each develops its own “pattern” of thought and behavior. Benedict explores cultures such as the Zuni, Kwakiutl, and Dobu to illustrate cultural relativism and how societies shape what counts as normal or human. The book emphasizes understanding cultures on their own terms and celebrates human diversity.

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