What defines a cultural universal?

A cultural universal is defined as patterns of behavior, beliefs, values, or practices that are found across different cultures around the world. This concept suggests that despite the vast diversity in human societies, there are certain elements that are shared globally, such as family structures, religious practices, or concepts of kinship. These universals highlight commonalities in human experience and socialization, indicating that, while cultures may vary in specific practices or beliefs, there are fundamental aspects of life that unite people across different backgrounds.

In this context, options reflecting unique practices specific to a single culture or rare traditions practiced by a few societies do not encapsulate the idea of a cultural universal, as they focus on distinctions rather than shared characteristics. Similarly, artifacts associated solely with one culture also fail to represent the broader patterns that define cultural universals. Thus, identifying patterns of behavior that are common to all cultures is the essence of understanding cultural universals.