MODULE 7THE NATURE OF CULTURE

REPORTED BY: Marie Kris G. Batallones BSBA Marketing

Lesson 1

The Meaning, Nature, and Functions of Culture

What is the meaning of culture?

It has something to do with human capacity to use language and with related capacities for learning and for transmission of ideas and ways of behaving.Derived from the latin word “cultura” or “cultus” which means care or cultivation.It is a complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, law, and moral, custom and other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. Refers to something that man has created and learned in a society.A set of learned and shared beliefs, customs, skills, habits, traditions and knowledge common to members of a society.The sum total of man’s creation which are handed down from generation to generation.

What are the elements of culture?

Material Culture- these are the physical objects a society produces, things people create and use. Thus, the awareness of the kind of objects created and how people use them brings about greater understanding of the culture of a society.Non- Material Culture- it consists of elements earned like norms, values, beliefs and language shared by the members of a society. Non- material culture is considered as the carriers of culture. Language- influences our ways of perceiving, behaving and feeling and thus tends to define and shape the world around us.

What are the Characteristics of Culture?

Culture is learned- culture is learned through the process of interaction.

Culture is shared- no one person knows the entire culture, hence, the sharing of ideas.

Culture is Cumulative- culture has a tendency to grow and expand. Stored knowledge is transmitted from one generation to another. Newly acquired knowledge is then added to the stocks of knowledge as it passes through the process of transmission.

Culture is Dynamic- there is always change in culture. One of the principle sources of change is diffusion, which involves borrowing or transfer from one culture to another.

What are the Functions of Culture?Culture helps people to adapt to the

demands of the surrounding physical environment.

Culture compensates for many human physical limitations.

Culture provides ways and means to regulate human collective existence.

Culture provides behavioral patterns.

Lesson 2

Cultural Concepts and Variations

Other Cultural ConceptsEthnocentrism- it is a feeling that their particular way of life is superior and right and that all other cultures are inferior and often wrong.

Cultural Relativism-norms, values, and beliefs should be judged only from the viewpoint of that culture.

Xenocentrism- it is the belief that what is foreign is the best in terms of one’s lifestyle, product, or ideas.

Tempocentrism- it is the belief that one's time is more important than that of the past or future.

Subculture- a group within a society who shares in the general culture but who maintain distinctive ways of thinking, setting, and feeling.

Counterculture- a subculture that has values, and norms that sharply contradict the dominant values and norms of the larger society.

Cultural Universal- common cultural elements that are found within all known societies. They are norms, laws, language, beliefs, and values.

Culture Lag- the ability of a given society to adapt immediately to another culture as a result of the disparity in the rate of change between the material and non- material elements of culture.

Culture Shock- experience of disorientation and frustrations that occurs when individuals find themselves among those who do not share their fundamental premises.

Cultural Diversity- the variation of culture in some ways with another culture with which they guide human behavior.

Conditions that affect cultural variations

Environment- environmental conditions greatly affect people and must therefore adapt to these conditions in order to survive.

Isolation- with this condition, a culture continues on its own course, unaltered and uncontaminated by other culture.

Technology- the technology used by a society determines its social structure that leads to changes in the culture.

Diffusion- this involves borrowing of one culture to another when one culture comes into contact with another culture.

Modes of Requiring Culture

Imitation

Indoctrination

Conditioning

Acculturation

Lesson 3

The Filipino Culture and Values

Contributory factors to Filipino Culture

The Malay

Chinese

The Indian Influence

The Hindu Influence

The Spanish Heritage

The Americans

The Filipino Cultural PerspectiveThe Traditional Concept- the traditionalists holds that Filipino culture was developed due to conglomeration of the physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual aspects.

The Nationalistic View- this regards culture as the summation of the needs of the people, the description of their past and present condition, an expression of their values, thoughts, and emotions and the depiction of their historic struggles to liberate themselves.

Cultural Dualism- the Philippines is a transitional society dominated on one side by traditional and modern culture, and usually, these concepts are leading to conflicts in a person’s life.

The Filipino Culture

Belief System- Filipinos are believers of religion and super natural powers

Value System- cultural values are shared assumptions of what is right, good or important. Values actually guide man’s behavior and action as he relates himself in most situations in life.

Filipino ValuesUtang na loob- a technique of reciprocity of debt of gratitude to others.

Pakikisama- is a folk concept of good public relations

Hiya- this controls to a large extent the behavior of the individual and most likely, is generally dependent on what others will think, say, and do.

Bahal na- a common expression among us Filipinos.

Authoritarianism- commonly practiced in the Filipino family where the father is seen as the head that makes major decisions affecting the family.

Amor- propio- it is the individual’s highly emotional reaction to protect his honor and dignity when they are threatened or questioned.

Thank you!!!

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