Environments can shape the differences between cultures
Feb 8, 2024
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Researcher Michael Varnum discusses how ecological factors shape cultural norms and behavior. Topics include frugality vs. generosity, planning vs. spontaneity in different cultures, impact of climate on societal norms, and the evolution of cultural differences based on environmental challenges.
Ecological factors shape cultural norms and behavior, influencing values and social norms.
Environmental variability correlates with the tightness of social norms within cultures, reflecting responses to challenges.
Deep dives
How Ecology Shapes Cultural Norms and Behavior
Ecological factors, including climate, landscape, and availability of resources, play a significant role in shaping cultural norms and behavior. Research by Michael Varnam from Arizona State University explores how these ecological factors leave a lasting imprint on human behavior, influencing values, motivations, reasoning, and social norms.
Impact of Environmental Variability on Social Norms
Environmental variability, such as climate fluctuations and disease threats, correlates with the tightness of social norms within cultures. Societies experiencing more variability tend to have stricter rules for behavior. For instance, areas with fluctuating disease threats may develop tighter social norms as a response to the environmental challenges.
Cultural Similarities Based on Ecological Similarity
Ecological factors can reveal unexpected similarities between cultures. Data analysis shows that countries with similar ecological dimensions may share cultural traits, regardless of geographical or historical differences. Understanding ecology as a determinant of cultural rules and practices provides a new perspective on the formation of human behavior and social structures.
In some cultures, people are frugal while in others they tend to be generous. Some cultures favour meticulous planning while others favour living in the moment. Theories abound about how and why differences like these between cultures emerge and, increasingly, researchers are looking to the environments people live in for answers.
In this episode, Mend Mariwany explores what role ecological factors, including the climate, play in shaping cultural norms and behaviour. Featuring Michael Varnum, associate professor of psychology at Arizona State University in the US.
This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written by Mend Mariwany, and produced by Mend Mariwany and Meher Batia with assistance from Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. The executive producer is Gemma Ware. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Sign up to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.