This work investigates the fundamental question of how human customs, social structures, and cultural patterns function as a coherent scientific field of study. Felix M. Keesing, a prominent anthropologist, utilizes his extensive field research and academic background to synthesize the mechanisms of cultural development. He presents a framework that treats culture not merely as a collection of traditions, but as a dynamic system of learned behaviors and social interactions that can be analyzed through rigorous observation. The text argues that understanding these customs is essential for grasping the broader scope of human evolution and societal organization.

Scholars and students of anthropology frequently cite this text as a foundational resource for understanding mid-twentieth-century cultural theory. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous introduction to the systematic study of human customs.