Week 2-3 Nature of Culture (PDF)

CULTURE  CULTURE the set of learned behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, values, and ideals that are characteristics of a particular society or population (Ember, 1999) the learned norms, values, knowledge, artifacts, language, and symbols that are constantly c...

CULTURE  CULTURE the set of learned behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, values, and ideals that are characteristics of a particular society or population (Ember, 1999) the learned norms, values, knowledge, artifacts, language, and symbols that are constantly communicated among people who share a common way of life (Calhoun, et. al., 1994) the sum total of symbols, ideas, forms of expressions, and material products associated with a system (Allan Johnson, 1996)  Why do cultures differ? Educational History Backgrounds Social backgrounds Ethnic Religion Ecology Technology Characteristics of Culture 1.Culture is learned. 2.Culture is shared by a group of people. 3.Culture is comulative. 4.Cultures change. Characteristics of Culture 5.Culture is dynamic. 6.Culture is ideotional. 7.Culture is diverse. 8.Cultures gives us a range of permissible behavior patterns.  Components of Culture A. Communication Language Symbols B. Cognitive Ideas Knowledge Beliefs Values Accounts  Components of Culture C. Behavioral  Norms  Mores  Laws  Folkways  Rituals D. Material  Tools, Medicines  Books  Transportation  Technologies  Communication Component Language defines what it means to be human. It forms the core of all culture. When people share a language, they share a condensed, very flexible set of symbols and meanings. That makes communication possible, at least communication beyond grunts and hand signals, and provides the basis for symbolic interaction, along with non-verbal communication and symbols.  Cognitive Component 1.Ideas/Knowledge/Beliefs Ideas are mental representations (concepts, categories, metaphors) used to organize stimulus; they are the basic units out of which knowledge is constructed and a world emerges. Knowledge is the storehouse where we accumulate representations, information, facts, assumptions, etc. Beliefs accept a proposition, statement, description of fact, etc. as true.  Cognitive Component KNOWLEDGE NATURAL TECHNOLOGICAL SUPERNATURAL MAGICAL Perceptions Biological Perceptions on on the the methods of and Useful in actions of influencing physical dealing with supernatural gods, aspects of practical events by demons, manipulating the natural problems angels or certain laws of world nature spirits  A group of engineers in the Philippines is working on a new solar-powered irrigation system to help farmers in rural areas. What type of knowledge are they applying to develop this innovation solution?  While exploring the rich biodiversity in the Philippines, a student observes the unique characteristics of the Philippine Eagle in the forests of Mindanao. What type of knowledge is the student acquiring through this observation?  A Filipino family regularly consults a local faith healer, known as an “albularyo,” to seek protection from evil spirits and to understand events believed to be influenced by unseen forces. What type of knowledge is the family relying on in these practices? In a remote village in the Philippines, an elder is known for using herbal remedies and performing rituals to heal the sick. The community believes in the elder’s ability to harness hidden forces for these purposes. What type of knowledge does the elder possess?  Cognitive Component 2. Values are defined standards of desirability, goodness and beauty, which serve as broad guidelines for social living. 3. Accounts are how people use that common language to explain, justify, rationalize, excuse, or legitimize our behavior to themselves and others.  Behavioral Component (how we act) 1. Norms rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members. can change over time reinforced through sanctions which take the form of either rewards or punishment standards that define the obligatory and expected behaviors of people in various situations  Types of Norms 1. Mores are customary behavior patterns which have taken on a moralistic value. 2. Laws are formalized norms, enacted by people who are vested with government power and enforced by political and legal authorities designated by the government. 3. Folkways are behavior patterns of society which are organized and repetitive. They are commonly known as customs.  Material Component refers to physical objects of culture such as machines, equipment, tools, books, clothing, etc. Its form and function is an expression of culture and culturally-defined behavior often depends on the presence of specific objects  How is Culture Transmitted 1.Enculturation the process of learning culture of one’s own Ex. Learning the folkways, mores, social traditions, values and beliefs of one’s own group.  How is Culture Transmitted 2. Acculturation the process of learning some new traits from another culture Ex. When students from the rural areas migrate to the urban areas or city and gradually learn some urban customs, they become acculturated. The interaction of Filipinos with Americans in the Philippines  Importance and Functions of Culture 1. Culture helps the individual fulfill his potential as a human being. 2. Through the development of culture, man can overcome his physical disadvantages and allows him to provide himself with fire, clothing, food and shelter. 3. Culture provides rules of proper conduct for living in a society. 4. Culture also provides the individual his concepts of family, nation and class.  Cultural Relativism 1. Is an essence, an approach to the question of the nature and role of values in culture (Rosado, 2003) 2. Is an anthropological approach which posits that all cultures are of equal value and need to be studied in a neutral point of view (Glazer (1996). 3. Practices considered immoral or taboo to a certain group of people but are accepted by other groups with a different cultural orientation.  KEY TERMS ETHNOCENTRISM your culture is superior XENOCENTRISM your culture is inferior TEMPOROCENTRISM your time is better CULTURAL RELATIVISM no universal standard CULTURE SHOCK confusion and disorientation  KEY TERMS CULTURE LAG culture takes time to catch up with technology SUBCULTURE distinct culture within a general culture COUNTERCULTURE subculture which contradicts larger society