What is a primary focus of cultural anthropology?

Cultural anthropology primarily concentrates on understanding the variety of cultural practices and beliefs that shape human societies. This field examines how culture influences the ways in which individuals perceive and interact with the world around them. Cultural anthropologists conduct fieldwork, engage in participant observation, and immerse themselves in different communities to capture the nuances of human experiences and social norms.

By focusing on cultural practices and beliefs, anthropologists aim to provide insights into how culture affects identity, relationships, rituals, language, and social structures. This holistic analysis enables a deeper understanding of the diversity of human life and the commonalities that exist among different cultures. The emphasis on culture sets cultural anthropology apart from other subfields, such as biological anthropology, which investigates human evolution, or economic anthropology, which may explore aspects of economic systems but does not encompass the broader cultural context.