6 Questions
What is the importance of defining culture in social sciences?
It represents a parsimonious statement of theoretical stance
How do social scientists, particularly anthropologists and sociologists, define culture?
The bundle of learned and shared patterns of behavior and understanding
What is the difference between the way social scientists and laymen use the term culture?
Social scientists use it to refer to learned patterns of behavior, while laymen use it in a more conversational way
According to Odetola and Ademola (1985), what does culture refer to?
The learned portion of human behavior, including ways of thinking, feeling, and acting
What contributes to the crisis in the definition of culture?
The human application of the concept of culture in life
Why is it important to define culture, according to Silverman?
Because it represents a parsimonious statement of theoretical stance
Study Notes
Concept of Culture
- Culture is a concept in social sciences that has multiple definitions due to varying human perceptions.
- Despite the variations, defining culture is important as it represents a theoretical stance involving selection of primary features that are related and analytically essential (Silverman, 1983).
- The use of the term "culture" differs between social scientists and laymen, with social scientists having a more nuanced understanding of the concept.
Definition of Culture in Social Sciences
- To social scientists, particularly anthropologists and sociologists, culture refers to a bundle of learned and shared patterns of behavior and understanding concerning the meaning and value of things.
- Culture involves ideas, emotions, and actions facilitated by language and communication in a social group.
- Some social scientists also define culture as the learned portion of human behavior, including the ways of thinking, feeling, and acting (Odetola & Ademola, 1985).
Test your knowledge of the concept of culture in social sciences, including definitions, theoretical stances, and primary features. Learn how culture is perceived and analyzed in Nigerian people and culture.
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