Cultural Theory Just a little

Culture The way human beings adapt to the world The way human beings adapt to the world –Adaptation – ways in which living things relate to their environment for survival and reproduction  Biological weaponry non existent  Culture is passed –Enculturation  Infants learning culture

Cultural Adaptation Advantages Advantages –Quicker than biological –Depends on teaching not mutations Disadvantages Disadvantages –May perpetuate misinformation that hinder not help –Short term success might lead to long term failure. (Ex. Dependence on a material)

Polychronic V. Monochronic Poly = People: more emphasis is on relationships then on punctuality, multiple tasks at once. Poly = People: more emphasis is on relationships then on punctuality, multiple tasks at once. Mono = Minute: time is linear fashion, punctuality is important, one task at a time. Mono = Minute: time is linear fashion, punctuality is important, one task at a time.

Culture to Organize the World Must put our perceptions into systems of classification so we comprehend our lives. Must put our perceptions into systems of classification so we comprehend our lives. –A human without the ability to organize and classify would be overwhelmed. (ex. Senses) –Culture is how people classify things and understand the world  Norms – ideal cultural pattern that influences behavior –Physical reality into experienced reality

Culture to give life meaning Ideas, words and actions have practical value, symbolic meaning and emotional force. Ideas, words and actions have practical value, symbolic meaning and emotional force. –Culture is the how people understand who they are and how they should act –Anthropologists try to analyze central symbols  Religion – reflects the deepest concerns of a cultures members  Subculture – perceptions, value beliefs significantly different than those of the majority

Interpretive Anthro Some think the aim of anthro is to interpret the meanings that acts have for their participants. Some think the aim of anthro is to interpret the meanings that acts have for their participants.  Culture is a novel – stories that come together  Cultural Diffusion – spread of cultural elements from one culture to another

Cultural Universals Although very diverse every culture shares certain characteristics with the others. (Good Anthro makes the strange familiar and the familiar strange.) Murdock’s Cultural Universals List(Ferraro, p. 40) Murdock’s Cultural Universals List(Ferraro, p. 40) –Education –Family –Religion –Government –Technology –Marriage –Medicine

Culture

Functionalism Theory that institutions function to support the entire society OR that they function to serve the needs of individuals. Theory that institutions function to support the entire society OR that they function to serve the needs of individuals.  Malinowski says its individuals  Radcliffe-Brown says cultural elements like religion reinforce the social structure of a society by making individuals dependent. ----YOU DECIDE ----