The term contextualism implies that behavior must be assessed in the context of which factor?

• A. Universal norms
• B. Economic status
• C. Biological determinants
• D. The culture in which the behavior occurs

Answer: (D)

Contextualism holds that behavior must be understood within the cultural setting that shapes meaning and expectations. The culture in which the behavior occurs provides the standards, norms, and interpretations used to judge why it happens and what it signifies. This is why culture is the key factor: it explains why the same action can be viewed differently in different groups. Other factors like universal norms ignore cultural variation, economic status is just one part of context, and biological determinants neglect how social meaning is constructed.