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What Is Culture?What Is Culture?

Level 1Level 1

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What Is Culture?What Is Culture?

System of shared System of shared values, values, beliefs, behaviors,beliefs, behaviors, normsnorms (VBBN)(VBBN)

Used to cope with the world and Used to cope with the world and each othereach other

Passed between generations Passed between generations through learning through learning

l

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Student CheckStudent Check

1. What four components comprise a 1. What four components comprise a culture?culture?

2. How are these components used?2. How are these components used?

3. How are these components based 3. How are these components based from generation to generation?from generation to generation?

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ValuesValues

Ideas of right and wrongIdeas of right and wrong examples of rightexamples of right

loyalty to nationloyalty to nation sense of dutysense of duty

examples of wrongexamples of wrong abuse of authorityabuse of authority cowardlinesscowardliness

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BeliefsBeliefs

A view of reality shared by a groupA view of reality shared by a group examples:examples:

relationship between gods and humansrelationship between gods and humans

appropriate gender rolesappropriate gender roles

justification of government powersjustification of government powers

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BehaviorsBehaviors

Observable patterns of actionObservable patterns of action examples:examples:

body languagebody language gestures, postures, facial expressionsgestures, postures, facial expressions

group behaviorsgroup behaviors seating, speech, table mannersseating, speech, table manners

dressdress clothing style, daily vs. festiveclothing style, daily vs. festive

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NormsNorms

Range of permissible behaviors Range of permissible behaviors established by the groupestablished by the group expectedexpected behaviors behaviors range of tolerancerange of tolerance examples:examples:

dressdress manner of greetingmanner of greeting

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DiscussionDiscussion

What What values values and and beliefsbeliefs are expressed are expressed in the in the behavior behavior of mowing the lawn?of mowing the lawn?

When or where is it a When or where is it a normnorm??

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RoadblocksRoadblocks

Expecting alien culture to “mirror” your ownExpecting alien culture to “mirror” your own

Distorted cultural lensesDistorted cultural lenses stereotypesstereotypes

biasesbiases

culture shockculture shock

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Cultural LensesCultural Lenses

StereotypesStereotypes Generalizations about a groupGeneralizations about a group Positive and negativePositive and negative

BiasesBiases Prejudices that impair judgmentPrejudices that impair judgment Positive and negativePositive and negative

Culture shockCulture shock Adverse reaction to an alien environmentAdverse reaction to an alien environment Real emotional and physical effectsReal emotional and physical effects

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Student CheckStudent Check

What is culture?What is culture? What are the four major components of What are the four major components of

culture? Define them.culture? Define them. What do the behaviors of an individual What do the behaviors of an individual

tell you about his/her culture?tell you about his/her culture? How do cultural lenses affect mission?How do cultural lenses affect mission?

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Discussion ExerciseDiscussion Exercise

Behaviors and symbols can indicate Behaviors and symbols can indicate the values, beliefs and norms of an the values, beliefs and norms of an individual, society or nation.individual, society or nation.

View each of the following pictures, View each of the following pictures, and discuss what each behavior or and discuss what each behavior or symbol may indicate to those viewing symbol may indicate to those viewing it.it.

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Discussion ExerciseDiscussion Exercise

What does this behavior indicate about What does this behavior indicate about the person?the person?

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Discussion ExerciseDiscussion Exercise

What does this behavior indicate about the person?What does this behavior indicate about the person?

..

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Discussion ExerciseDiscussion Exercise

What does the picture indicate the person What does the picture indicate the person is doing?is doing?

..

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Discussion ExerciseDiscussion Exercise

What does this picture indicate the person What does this picture indicate the person is doing?is doing?

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Discussion ExerciseDiscussion Exercise

What does this behavior indicate about the What does this behavior indicate about the person?person?

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Discussion ExerciseDiscussion Exercise What does this statue symbolize about our country?What does this statue symbolize about our country?

..

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ConclusionConclusion

Understanding Understanding VBBNVBBN helps predict actions. helps predict actions.

““Mirroring” alien culture leads to false Mirroring” alien culture leads to false

expectations and roadblocks.expectations and roadblocks.

Minimizing roadblocks increases likelihood Minimizing roadblocks increases likelihood

of mission success.of mission success.