Culture Basics of Culture Culture the knowledge language
Culture
Basics of Culture • Culture= the knowledge, language, values, customs and physical objects that are shared by members of society (way of life) • Society= group of people who live in a defined territory and participate in common cultures. – Material- Objects that we are familiar with • Cars, cell phones, restaurants, buildings – Nonmaterial • Beliefs, rules, customs, capitalism, family.
Culture and Heredity • Instincts= genetically inherited patterns of behavior – Animals only use instincts, humans need more. • Humans rely on creating/learning their own ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving – We are not controlled by instinct…. ie. not all women want to have children and love and nurture those children
Culture and Heredity • Behavior is driven by heredity and environment – Nature vs. Nurture (twin studies) • Reflexes= natural responses – Ex. Pupils dilate when hit with light • Drives= impulses to reduce discomfort – Eat when hungry, drink when thirsty, sleep when tired
BREAK! • Notes can get boring…stand up and discuss with 2 people that are not near you whether you believe heredity or environment play a bigger role in socializing someone…
Sociobology • The study of the biological basis of human behavior (genetics + Darwinism) • Assumes that behaviors that best help humans are biologically transmitted through genetics – Parental affection and care, friendship… • Criticisms= labeling races as superior or inferior
Language and Culture • Symbols= things that stand for or represent something else – Meaning depends on your culture
Language and Culture • Language helps create culture • We communicate important lessons, acceptable behavior • Hypothesis of linguistic relativity= our idea of reality depends on our language. . . perceptions • When something is important, language has many words to describe it…
Language and Culture • Exposure to new language and vocabulary can change our perception • Most people confine themselves to language and vocab. they learn from family – How does this impact racism and stereotypes? • Cultural learnedness – We are conditioned by society – Paper walls in Japan…. close quarters/harmony
Beliefs and Material Culture • Culture= Material and Nonmaterial cultures • Nonmaterial culture= beliefs, ideas, knowledge, values, and norms – Belief= the nature of reality (people base their behavior on belief…. regardless of true or false) • Supported by fact= belief that there is no life on Mars • Disputed= Aborigines belief that a picture takes their soul
Material Culture • Material Culture=the concrete objects within a culture – Cars, art, chairs…. no meaning or use apart from the one we give them – The meaning of physical objects come from the beliefs, norms, and values of a person. • • • Mirror Bicycle Computer Diploma Tickets
Ideal and Real Culture • Ideal culture= the cultural guidelines publicly embraced by members of society • Real culture= actual behavior patterns, which often conflict with ideal culture • Ex. Honesty is valued, but many people are not honest
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