Final answer:
True, cultures do select from a vast array of cultural traits to form unique patterns. This selection process is influenced by numerous factors resulting in a rich diversity of cultures, which evolve over time yet preserve essential elements that emphasize their distinctiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement, "Cultures select from an extensive and infinite set of cultural traits to form a distinctive pattern," is true. Human beings have indeed developed flexible biological and social features that allow cultures to form distinctive patterns through selection from a wide variety of traits. This selection is influenced by environmental and historical conditions, leading to a diversity of cultures. Furthermore, societies encompass subcultures and countercultures, which also contribute to cultural diversity. Cultures are not fixed; they evolve via discovery, invention, and diffusion while preserving certain aspects through transmission across generations. Through studying various cultures, we gain a better understanding of our own, recognizing the differences driven by language, religion, education, and customs.
It's important to note that there is an ongoing debate about how cultures change and evolve. Critics suggest that past anthropological studies at times oversimplified cultures, failing to capture their inherent complexity and multifaceted nature. However, recent observations show that despite globalization, cultural identities remain resilient and distinct, with efforts made to maintain and reinvent cultural heritage. This demonstrates that cultures can still be distinct despite influences of change and contact with other cultures.