The Meaning of Culture.ppt

7/28/2019 The Meaning of Culture.ppt

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The Meaning of Culture:

The Key to Human Diversity


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Does this picture offend you?


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If so, then you may be guilty of

Ethnocentrism!

People who are ethnocentric apply

their own values in judging the

behavior and beliefs of other people

raised in other cultures.

Ethnocentrism contributes to social

solidarity and a sense of value and

community.

However, it also fuels conflict.


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Culture is learned behavior

Each child goesthrough a process ofenculturation whenthey grow up in a

culture.Children learn byobserving thebehaviors of people intheir surroundings,

including therecognition ofsymbols specific tothat culture.


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Examples of cultural symbols


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Culture is shared

Culture is an attribute not of

individualsper se but of individuals as

members of groups.

Culture is transmitted by society.

Enculturation unifies people by

providing us with common

experiences.


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Culture is symbolic

Symbols can either

be verbal

(linguistic) or

nonverbal (object,written symbol).


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Culture and Nature: Differences in

How we meet the call

Culture defines what

people eat, how food

is prepared, and when

and how food is eaten.

Waste elimination is

culturally prescribed.

Sexual activities are

also dictated by

culture (with who,how, where, and

when).


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Culture is all-encompassing and

integrated

Culture envelopes each of us, and

touches every aspect of our lives.

Culture is systematic and integrated

(it is not a random phenomenon).

Cultures teach us to share certain

core values that helps shape the

personality of the individuals within a

culture.


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Cultures are dynamic: rules are

made to be broken

Humans are creative animals and

always do not strictly follow the

dictates of their culture.

There is individual interpretation of

each aspect of culture that is in part

due to family and personal history.

Real vs. Ideal culture.


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Culture can be both adaptive and

maladaptive

Modern technologyhas provided for theadaptation of humansto every part of the

globe, as ancienttechnologies providedsuccessful toenvironments on asmaller scale.

Short-term vs. long-term adaptivestrategies.


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Levels of culture

National: learned behavioral patterns,

beliefs, values, and institutions shared

by the citizens of a nation.

International: cultural traditions that

expand beyond cultural boundaries.

Subculture: different traditions

practiced by groups set within a larger

culture. Frequently regionally based.


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Ethnocentrism, Cultural Relativism,

and Human Rights

The human rightsmovement suggeststhat there is a realm of

justice and morality

that supercedes thepractices of manycultures.

Examples: femalegenital mutilation in

the Middle East; malecircumcision at birth inthe United States.


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Universality, Generality, and

Particularity

Universal: found in all cultures.

Examples: Exogamy and incest

taboo.

Generality: found in many cultures, but

not all. Example: nuclear family.

Particularities: found only in somecultures. Example: head hunting.


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What makes cultures change?

Diffusion: borrowing of traits

between cultures.

Acculturation: exchange of cultural

features that results from long-term

exposure between cultures.

Independent invention: Developing

to solution to problems by individual

cultures. Example: agriculture.


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One World Culture? Globalization

in the 21st Century

Cultures are increasingly coming in

contact as a result of improved trade

relations, better communication, and

easier travel.

Multinational corporations and

business outsourcing to the Third

World are becoming morecommonplace.

The Meaning of Culture.ppt

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