Cultural Anthropology A Deeper look at this branch of study

What is culture? Where does it come from? Past Idea: NATURE inherited biological characteristics direct human behaviour –People in certain cultures behave the way they do because of genetics/heredity This links culture closely to race Past Idea: NATURE inherited biological characteristics direct human behaviour –People in certain cultures behave the way they do because of genetics/heredity This links culture closely to race

Present Ideas NURTURE culture is based not on inherited characteristics, but on the way people learn to adapt to their environment to survive Nurture rather than Nature NURTURE culture is based not on inherited characteristics, but on the way people learn to adapt to their environment to survive Nurture rather than Nature

Culture All the learned behaviours, beliefs, attitudes, values and ideas of a particular society or population

Margaret Mead Cultural Anthropologist Studied gender roles of men and women Field Work: New Guinea (Pacific Islands, Samoa) Found that nurture rather than nature determines human behaviour Concluded that personality traits associated with masculinity/femininity are a result of early learning/training and not heredity Cultural Anthropologist Studied gender roles of men and women Field Work: New Guinea (Pacific Islands, Samoa) Found that nurture rather than nature determines human behaviour Concluded that personality traits associated with masculinity/femininity are a result of early learning/training and not heredity

Characteristics of Culture Non Material: thoughts and behaviours we learn and share with others (values, beliefs, ideas about the world) Material: all the physical objects that humans create and give meaning to (clothing, books, cars, schools) Non Material: thoughts and behaviours we learn and share with others (values, beliefs, ideas about the world) Material: all the physical objects that humans create and give meaning to (clothing, books, cars, schools)

Cultural Rules Culture is learned: –Most thoughts/behaviours/values are learned and we continue to be learners throughout our lives –Everything shared by a group of people is not cultural (we inherit physical characteristics - hair colour, but we can dye our hair) Culture is learned: –Most thoughts/behaviours/values are learned and we continue to be learners throughout our lives –Everything shared by a group of people is not cultural (we inherit physical characteristics - hair colour, but we can dye our hair)

Cultural Rules Culture is shared: –When a group thinks/acts in a particular way - those ways become part of the culture (N. Americans culture: marriage involves two people) –A single person does not constitute a culture Culture is shared: –When a group thinks/acts in a particular way - those ways become part of the culture (N. Americans culture: marriage involves two people) –A single person does not constitute a culture

Subcultures Share characteristics of the overall culture but have distinctive ideas and behaviours Vegetarianism, love of motorcycles Some subcultures are voluntary while others are involuntary Few homeless people choose the subculture of homelessness Share characteristics of the overall culture but have distinctive ideas and behaviours Vegetarianism, love of motorcycles Some subcultures are voluntary while others are involuntary Few homeless people choose the subculture of homelessness

Cultural Rules Culture defines nature –It can limit, fulfill, expand or influence our biological needs and inherited tendencies Example: all people need to eat nature, what we eat nurture Example: all people have an innate need for company and support of others nature, but how we relate to people nurture Culture defines nature –It can limit, fulfill, expand or influence our biological needs and inherited tendencies Example: all people need to eat nature, what we eat nurture Example: all people have an innate need for company and support of others nature, but how we relate to people nurture

Cultural Rules Culture shapes how we perceive the world –Example: North Americans have many computer terms because it is part of our communication patterns (work, school etc.) Culture shapes how we perceive the world –Example: North Americans have many computer terms because it is part of our communication patterns (work, school etc.)

Culture Rules Culture has patterns –Are not random collections of behaviours or beliefs –Underlying any culture are certain core values and world views that are usually taken for granted by members of that culture –SELF-EVIDENT: values we hold Example: in Canada many people share core values such as progress, education, equal opportunity, democracy and technology Culture has patterns –Are not random collections of behaviours or beliefs –Underlying any culture are certain core values and world views that are usually taken for granted by members of that culture –SELF-EVIDENT: values we hold Example: in Canada many people share core values such as progress, education, equal opportunity, democracy and technology