Understanding the Concept of Culture

Culture

• Culture is the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings, transmitted from one generation to the next.
• It is a groups shared system of beliefs, values, and rules of conduct.
• Culture is an abstract concept that is constantly changing and includes diverse sub-cultures.
• It is the way a group of people have learned to solve problems and resolve dilemmas, or "the way we do things around here".
• Key question for understanding cultures is "Why?"

Levels of Culture

• Operates at several levels:
  • National Cultures
  • Regional Cultures
  • Occupational Cultures
  • Organizational Cultures
  • Team and Group Cultures
• Also operates at several personal levels:
  • Cultural upbringing
  • Personality type
  • Ideological framework

Diversity and Inclusion

• Diversity means all significant differences between people that need to be considered in particular situations and circumstances.
• Diversity Management is an ongoing process of incorporating recognition of workforce and customer differences into all core business management functions.
• Managing Diversity in the Workplace encourages inclusion, participation, and the full contribution of all staff to the goals of the enterprise.

Cultural Competence

• Is the awareness, knowledge, skills, practices, and processes needed to function effectively and appropriately in culturally diverse situations.

Culture Shock

• Psychological disorientation people experience when they have extended contact with a different culture to their own.

Race and Ethnicity

• Race: a group of people of common ancestry with distinguishing physical features, such as skin colour or build.
• Ethnicity: a sense of belonging to and sharing the characteristics of a population, including similarities of territory, place of origin, language, dialect, physical characteristics, religion, and customs.

Prejudice and Stereotyping

• Prejudice: an unfavourable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason.
• Stereotyping: a set form; convention; a standardised idea or concept, e.g. Filipinos are always late.

Explore the various definitions of culture, ranging from biological to artistic, and delve into the sociological and anthropological perspectives. Learn about culture as a dynamic concept that encompasses shared beliefs, values, and behaviors across different groups.