What term refers to the comparative study of cultures through interpretation and analysis?

The term that refers to the comparative study of cultures through interpretation and analysis is ethnology. Ethnology is a branch of cultural anthropology that seeks to understand the similarities and differences between cultural groups by comparing their practices, beliefs, and social structures. This comparative approach allows anthropologists to draw general conclusions about human behavior and cultural development, making it a key aspect of cultural anthropology.

Holism, on the other hand, emphasizes understanding cultures in their entirety rather than through isolation of parts, focusing on the interconnectedness of various cultural elements. Enculturation refers to the process through which individuals learn and adopt the values and norms of their own culture, often during childhood, which does not involve comparative analysis. Culture shock describes the feelings of disorientation that individuals may experience when exposed to a significantly different culture but does not pertain to the systematic study of cultures.