cultural determinism

[/ˈkʌltʃərəl dɪˈtɜːrmɪnɪzəm/]
noun
determinismo cultural
1. The philosophical or sociological theory that human behavior, beliefs, and values are primarily or entirely determined by cultural factors rather than biological or individual factors
Cultural determinism suggests that our personalities are shaped entirely by the society in which we are raised.
O determinismo cultural sugere que nossas personalidades são moldadas inteiramente pela sociedade em que somos criados.
2. The belief that culture is the primary force that determines social structures, institutions, and individual development
Critics of cultural determinism argue that it overlooks the role of human agency and biological factors.
Os críticos do determinismo cultural argumentam que ele negligencia o papel da agência humana e dos fatores biológicos.
This term is primarily used in academic discourse in both Brazil and the USA, particularly in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies. It became prominent in 20th-century social science debates about the relative importance of culture versus biology in shaping human behavior. In Brazil, the concept relates to discussions about racial democracy and the role of culture in social stratification.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
cultural relativismsociological determinismenvironmental determinismnurture over nature
Antonyms / Antônimos
biological determinismgenetic determinismbiological essentialismnature over nurture

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
determinismo cultural
Standard academic term used in sociology and anthropology
Portugal
determinismo cultural
Used in academic contexts with same meaning as Brazilian Portuguese
Academic/Formal
determinismo cultural
Primarily used in academic, philosophical, and sociological discourse

Related Words

culturedeterminismsocial constructionsocializationcultural relativismnature vs nurturesocial structure

Related Idioms & Phrases

nurture shapes nature
culture is destiny
we are products of our environment
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