Cultural effects on sources of meaning: informed by knowledge activation principles and mirror neurons

Abstract

Meaning in life is a fundamental aspect of human existence that influences wellbeing, yet its sources are not universal; they vary across cultures. While it is suggested that individuals in different historical periods perceive and interpret life through distinct perspectives, evidence indicates that the prominence of certain sources of meaning within populations is not merely a transient phenomenon tied to a specific period but is deeply rooted in historical and cultural contexts. Drawing on Schnell’s hierarchic meaning model, this article explores how different cultural contexts contribute to sources of meaning and how certain sources persist within cultures over time. Grounded in the principles of knowledge activation, we suggest that sources of meaning are more likely to be adopted when they align with knowledge that is culturally available, accessible, applicable, salient, and perceived as useful. Furthermore, we propose that mirror neurons play a crucial role in the transmission of these sources within cultural groups, reinforcing the repetition and perpetuation of observed representations of certain sources of meaning.