Culture and Society

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Culture and Society
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What is culture?

• Culture consists of the beliefs, behaviors,
  objects, and other characteristics common to the
  members of a particular group or society. Through
  culture, people and groups define themselves,
  conform to society's shared values, and
  contribute to society.

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The Importance of Culture Copy this

• Culture is essential for our individual survival
  and communication with others
• We are not born with the information we need to
  survive
• Culture is essential for the survival of
  societies
• It establishes our laws and rules for interaction

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Nature vs. Nuture

• Nature is our biological and genetic makeup
• Nurture is derived from our social environment
• We are not born knowing kindness or hatred
• Humans do not have instincts but we do have
  reflexes

An instinct is biologically determined behaviour
patterns common to all members of a species
A reflex is biologically determined involuntary
response such as sneezing
Drives are biologically determined impulses
common to all members of a species that satisfy
needs such as food, water, safety, and shelter
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Cultural Baggage

• Since humans cannot rely on instincts for
  survival, culture is a tool kit for survival

• Our tool kit is divided into two parts

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Material Culture

• Consists of the physical or tangible creations
  that members of a society make, use, and share
• Items begin as raw materials and transformed into
  usable items through technology
• We use these items first for survival such as
  shelter
• Beyond survival, we make use and share objects
  that are interesting and important to us

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Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
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Nonmaterial Culture

• Consists of the abstract or intangible human
  creations of society that influence peoples
  behaviour

Family Patterns
Values
Language
Rules of Behaviour
Beliefs
Political Systems
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Nonmaterial Culture

• Central component of nonmaterial culture is
  beliefs
• Beliefs are the mental acceptance or conviction
  that certain things are real or true
• May be based on faith, tradition, experience,
  scientific research, or a combination of these
• We also have beliefs in our material culture

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Cultural Universals

• All human beings face the same basic needs such
  as food, water, and shelter
• Thus we engage in similar activities that
  contribute to our survival
• Cultural universals are customs and practices
  that occur across societies
• The universal categories created by
  anthropologist George Murdock are present in all
  cultures

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Cultural Universals

• Appearance such as bodily adornment and hairstyles

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Cultural Universals

• Activities such as sports, games, dancing, and
  jokes

Q. Why are fish so smart? A. They always go
around in schools.
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Cultural Institutions

• Social institution such as religion, law, and
  family

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Cultural Universals

• Customary practices such as cooking, folklore,
  gift giving, and hospitality

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Cultural Universals

• These general customs and practices may be
  present in all cultures in one form or another
• Specific forms may vary and could be
  misinterpreted between cultures such as telling a
  joke

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Cultural Universals - Pros

• Considered useful because they ensure a smooth
  and continual operation of society
• Society must satisfy its basic needs and degree
  of safety in order to survive
• Children and other new members of society must be
  taught the ways of the group
• Society must settle disputes between its members

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Cultural Universals - Cons

• May not be the result of functional necessity for
  a society
• The practices of one society may be imposed over
  members of another
• A conquering nation may use its power to impose
  its behaviours and beliefs on those defeated
• Assimilation and conformity of indigenous peoples
  by those who hold economic, political, and
  religious power