Final answer:
Various social institutions impact culture, with family being a primary agent of socialization. Formal institutions like schools play a role but may have less impact on culture than family or religious institutions. The extent of media's impact compared to other institutions remains debated.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering which of the following social institutions that influence culture has comparatively the least impact on culture, it can be challenging to ascertain because different institutions play various roles and exert different levels of influence. For example, family is typically the earliest agent of socialization and has a profound effect on culture. Religious institutions heavily influence culture through socialization that fosters shared values. In contrast, other institutions like mass media also have a socializing influence but it's debated how much impact they have in comparison to direct interactions with groups such as peers and family. Political institutions can exert significant influence when they have people's support.
Considering the available data, it appears that formal educational institutions like schools, while important, may have a lesser impact on culture compared to more intimate and consistent interactions, such as those experienced within the family or religious communities. Schools communicate and reinforce cultural norms, yet they often do so within a structured and formalized setting that operates for a limited portion of an individual's day. Hence, while they play a role in socialization, they might not have the deepest impact on a person's overall cultural outlook and practices.