Final answer:
Benedict's 'Pattern of Culture' has been criticized for oversimplifying complex societies by not fully representing the diverse and often contradictory perspectives within a culture, and for not considering historical contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
A significant criticism of Ruth Benedict's 'Pattern of Culture' is that it oversimplifies complex societies. Benedict has been criticized for her portrayal of cultures as homogenous entities with unified practices and beliefs. In reality, cultures are multi-faceted and comprise a variety of often conflicting perspectives. This complexity can lead to sociocultural conflict and change over time, which Benedict's work, according to critics, fails to adequately represent. Her research, especially in 'The Chrysanthemum and the Sword,' relied on a limited number of informants and ignored the broader, conflicting practices and beliefs present within cultures.
Contemporary anthropologists aim to address this criticism by conducting research across multiple subgroups and geographical locations to gain a more comprehensive understanding of cultural dynamics. Critics also point out that earlier anthropological work, including Benedict's, did not adequately consider the historical contexts that shape and define cultures. Societies are influenced by their historical experiences and interactions with other cultures, an aspect that should not be overlooked in cultural research.