Cultural Landscape of Personality - A Study on the Relationship between Culture, Society, and the Individual

Author: Ralph Linton
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: This book is primarily aimed at the interests of psychologists and anthropologists, making it easy to overlook the sociological role of humans in the development of emerging sciences. Interpersonal relationships are indeed crucial in shaping human nature, but they can only be understood when the individual is placed within the comprehensive social structure. Without considering this integrated structure, it is impossible to understand or define the individual culturally, or attribute rights and obligations to them. Conversely, any comprehensive social structure is part of the culture of its own society, and its many characteristics can only be understood when the cultural organization is viewed as a whole. In the alliance of three disciplines, sociology, like either of the other two, benefits equally and makes equally important contributions in the collaboration of the three. Most of the book is dedicated to attempting to define commonly used terms and concepts. In most cases, I have tried to adopt democratic principles, basing the definitions and explanations of these terms on those uses that are most widely accepted and least overlooked. Such explanations enable individuals trained in one discipline to understand everything that others discuss in another discipline. However, the hybrid or alternating language I provide can only guarantee the conversion of simple ideas and practical knowledge among the three disciplines. Nevertheless, I would say that I have succeeded in this regard.