culture-bound

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'culture-bound' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective, describing a concept, idea, practice, or belief that is specific to a particular culture and not found in other cultures. For example, you could say "The tradition of tipping after a meal is a culture-bound practice in the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

On the other hand, the CFI and its associated conceptual material are poorly integrated into the DSM-5 – many diagnoses pay no attention to cultural formulation at all – and the culture-bound syndromes do in fact survive.

SEP

DSM-5 has moved away from concept of a culture-bound syndrome and adopted that of "cultural concepts of distress" (p.758).

SEP

For some psychologists these cultural differences point to the need for a less culture-bound approach to personality trait theory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Culture-bound syndromes occur in a limited number of specific societies or cultural areas.

SEP

Westerners have their own culture-bound syndromes.

The New York Times

Culture-bound syndromes need culture-bound treatments: interventions recognised as "medicine" by both patient and practitioner.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Kelly talked of a literary culture bound around a nation that itself had "come into being through forms of fiction".

The Guardian

Just as these props are both stereotypical and authentic (and possibly humorous), these episodes are both foreign and familiar, culture bound and globally resonant.

The New York Times - Arts

The first, which I saw at Yelp, was creating a strong corporate culture, bound by real relationships, in an industry where the nature of the work, and the tools used to do it, naturally lean toward isolation.

The New Yorker

Koro, as a culture bound syndrome is predominantly reported from Asian countries.

Asian Journal of Psychiatry

The idea was to foster comparative research on humans so that anthropologists and other social scientists could discover which principles and explanations are universally valid, not culture bound.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing phenomena that vary across societies, use "culture-bound" to emphasize that these are specific to certain cultural contexts and not universal.

Common error

Be cautious not to assume that all behaviors or beliefs are "culture-bound". Some human experiences are universal, and mislabeling them can lead to cultural insensitivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "culture-bound" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are specific to or limited by a particular culture. As Ludwig AI suggests, it highlights that certain concepts, behaviors, or phenomena are not universal but rather tied to specific cultural contexts. Examples include "culture-bound syndromes" or "culture-bound assumptions".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "culture-bound" functions as an adjective that describes concepts or phenomena specific to a particular culture, rather than being universal. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. With a "Very common" frequency, the phrase appears across diverse sources, predominantly in science and news media, highlighting its relevance in discussions about cultural relativity. The most authoritative sources using this term are The New York Times and The Guardian. When using "culture-bound", it's important to be aware of the potential for overgeneralization, as not all behaviors are culturally specific. Instead you may find useful alternatives such as "culturally determined" or "culturally specific".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

culturally determined

Focuses on the cultural influence as the primary cause or determinant.

culturally specific

Highlights that something is unique and particular to a given culture.

rooted in culture

Emphasizes the deep connection and origin within a cultural context.

shaped by culture

Indicates that culture has significantly influenced the form or nature of something.

culture-related

A more general term indicating an association or connection with culture.

dependent on cultural context

Highlights the reliance on cultural understanding for proper interpretation.

reflecting cultural values

Indicates that something embodies or mirrors the values of a culture.

localized to a culture

Emphasizes the restriction or containment of something within a cultural boundary.

defined by cultural norms

Indicates that something is characterized or determined by a culture's standards.

influenced by cultural factors

Broadly suggests that cultural elements have played a role in shaping something.

FAQs

How can I use "culture-bound" in a sentence?

You can use "culture-bound" to describe concepts, behaviors, or beliefs that are specific to a particular culture. For example, "The concept of personal space is "culturally determined" and varies greatly across different societies."

What is a similar phrase to "culture-bound"?

Similar phrases include "culturally specific", "rooted in culture", or "shaped by culture". Each of these emphasizes the influence of culture in different ways.

Is "culture-bound" the same as "cultural"?

No, "cultural" is a more general term that refers to anything related to culture. "Culture-bound" specifically indicates that something is limited to or defined by a particular culture and not universal.

Can "culture-bound syndromes" exist in Western societies?

Yes, Western societies can also have "culturally specific" syndromes. Anorexia nervosa, for instance, is often cited as a "culture-bound" syndrome primarily affecting young women in Western cultures.