Who is associated with the idea of "cultural determinism"?

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Cultural determinism is a concept that suggests that culture shapes and determines human behavior and social structures. Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf are most closely associated with this idea through their work on linguistic relativity and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. This hypothesis posits that the language people speak influences their thoughts and perceptions of the world, highlighting the significant role culture plays in shaping human experience.

Their research provides insight into how different cultural contexts can lead to different worldviews and behaviors, emphasizing that cultural factors are fundamental in understanding human actions. By framing language as a key element of culture that impacts cognition, Sapir and Whorf illustrate the powerful influence of cultural determinants in shaping human life.

In contrast, the other figures mentioned either focus on different aspects of social science or psychology. Max Weber is known for his contributions to sociology and the concept of the "protestant work ethic," while Carl Jung's focus was on psychology, especially theories of the collective unconscious. Sigmund Freud concentrated primarily on psychoanalytic theory and the psyche's complexities, which does not directly relate to cultural determinism. Therefore, Sapir and Whorf's contributions uniquely align with the concept of cultural determinism, making them the correct answer.

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