Toward a Vigorous Incorporation of Culture in the Study of Human Development

Abstract

Culture signifies a fundamental aspect of human life. It facilitates human interaction by providing meaning to lived experience. The importance of systematically attending to culture is illustrated through examples of benefits achieved in the study of care and health disparities. Accounting for culture in both theories and methods potentially advances the field by connecting the macro and micro levels of human experience. Yet, culture should be understood as dynamic and complex. It fundamentally shapes individuals and simultaneously is shaped by individuals. Future directions include a call to develop questions that better place individuals and groups in context. In so doing, attention to distinguishing ideal aspects of culture from pragmatic realities as well as developing ways to make culture more visible in both research and in public discussions are elaborated. Attention to culture holds great potential for advancing understanding of life trajectories in human development.