What does the degree of universality describe?

What does the degree of universality describe?

• A. Describe how uniformly cognitive or behavioral traits exist across different cultures, ranging from absolute universals to culture-specific inventions
• B. Describe the rate of cultural diffusion
• C. Describe variance in individual intelligence
• D. Describe the impact of globalization on norms

Answer: (A)

The degree of universality describes how uniformly cognitive or behavioral traits exist across cultures, ranging from absolute universals to culture-specific inventions. It captures whether a trait appears in all cultures, only in many, or is unique to particular cultures, helping researchers categorize cross-cultural patterns as universal, general, or culture-bound. This isn’t about how quickly ideas spread between cultures (cultural diffusion), nor about variance in an individual’s intelligence, nor about the effects of globalization on norms.

The degree of universality describes how uniformly cognitive or behavioral traits exist across cultures, ranging from absolute universals to culture-specific inventions. It captures whether a trait appears in all cultures, only in many, or is unique to particular cultures, helping researchers categorize cross-cultural patterns as universal, general, or culture-bound. This isn’t about how quickly ideas spread between cultures (cultural diffusion), nor about variance in an individual’s intelligence, nor about the effects of globalization on norms.