Culture as a System of Models

Abstract

The concept of culture appears crucial in human sciences but remains ambiguous, which results in a diversity of its implementation and a multiplicity of approaches to culture itself. I view a good line of inquiry in developing a unified definition of culture that accommodates a number of its interpretations and provides the possibility of harmonizing theories of culture. The Model Theory of Culture, which I put forward, appears to be consistent with this line of inquiry. Its proposition also can serve as an invariant structure for the mutual translatability of cultural approaches and, presumably, their further unification within a single theoretical framework. The theory regards culture as a system of models created by humankind, groups, and individuals—individuals and groups constitute culture through interactions with one another and the world. These interactions are regarded as modeling processes, which result in patterns of mental and behavioral activity as well as symbols, symbolic systems, and artifacts. In this manner I demonstrate the distinct significance of psychological science in cultural studies, addressing the processes underlying the creation of ideal and material entities, which constitute the system of human culture.