Ruth Benedict, a prominent American anthropologist, introduced the concept of 'patterns of culture' in her influential 1934 book of the same name. Her central argument was that cultures are not merely random assortments of traits but are integrated wholes, organized around a dominant 'ethos' or 'configuration.' She proposed that each culture selects a limited range of human behaviors and elaborates them, giving the culture a unique 'personality' or 'pattern.'

Benedict famously illustrated this concept by comparing two Native American societies: the Zuni of the American Southwest and the Kwakiutl of the Pacific Northwest. She characterized the Zuni as 'Apollonian,' emphasizing moderation, order, group harmony, and a rejection of excess. Their rituals, social structures, and individual behaviors were seen as integrated to reflect this calm and cooperative ethos. In contrast, she described the Kwakiutl as 'Dionysian,' characterized by excess, individualism, emotional display, and a pursuit of prestige through dramatic and often destructive potlatch ceremonies. For the Kwakiutl, the dominant pattern was one of intense emotional expression and competitive display.

Benedict argued that these cultural configurations shape the psychological makeup of individuals within the society, influencing their values, motivations, and perceptions of the world. She believed that understanding a culture required grasping its underlying pattern, which integrates its various institutions, beliefs, and practices into a coherent whole. Her work was a significant contribution to the holistic approach in anthropology, emphasizing the interconnectedness of cultural elements.

While highly influential, Benedict's patterns of culture concept also faced criticism. Some scholars argued that it could lead to oversimplification and essentialization of cultures, potentially overlooking internal diversity, individual agency, and processes of change within a society. Critics also pointed out that her categories might be too broad and could impose an external framework onto complex cultural realities. Despite these critiques, Benedict's work profoundly impacted cultural anthropology by highlighting the importance of cultural integration and the idea that cultures, like individuals, possess distinct and discernible 'personalities.'