Culture Much more than just what makes yogurt curdle

What is Culture? A society’s system of values & customs that are its design for living A society’s system of values & customs that are its design for living Developed through social interaction with family & others in one’s societyDeveloped through social interaction with family & others in one’s society Values: ideas about good & bad, right & wrong; standards by which members of a culture judge their personal actions & those of others Values: ideas about good & bad, right & wrong; standards by which members of a culture judge their personal actions & those of others Customs: social norms & rules; guide appropriate behavior for specific situations Customs: social norms & rules; guide appropriate behavior for specific situations Ethnocentrism: the belief in the superiority of one's own culture; a tendency to view alien cultures from the perspective of one's own Ethnocentrism: the belief in the superiority of one's own culture; a tendency to view alien cultures from the perspective of one's own

Culture Culture Regions: areas that share similar culture elements.

Type of Culture Material Physical & TangiblePhysical & Tangible Tools, clothes, goods, crops, architecture, art, etc.Tools, clothes, goods, crops, architecture, art, etc. Non-Material Non-physical, intangibles Beliefs, values, morals, religion, language, music, dance, etc. Does Material Culture contain elements of Non-material Culture?

Material or Non-Material?

The Land The physical landscape is the stage upon which culture develops. The physical landscape is the stage upon which culture develops. Influences the other elements of culture. Influences the other elements of culture.

Religion Creates a sense of identity & belonging. Creates a sense of identity & belonging. Often the basis of values. Often the basis of values. Affects patterns of daily life. Affects patterns of daily life. Can be a source of conflict. Can be a source of conflict.

Family & Gender Elders are highly respected in some cultures Elders are highly respected in some cultures Family ties- immediate & extended Family ties- immediate & extended Different gender roles & views Different gender roles & views Individualism vs Collectivism Individualism vs Collectivism

Social Groups Socials Classes Socials Classes Ranked by ancestry, wealth, education, etc.Ranked by ancestry, wealth, education, etc. Ethnic groups Ethnic groups Share a common language, history, & place of origin.Share a common language, history, & place of origin. Does the school have any social groups within it? Does the school have any social groups within it?

Economic Activities & Technology How a culture uses its resources to meet the basic needs of society. How a culture uses its resources to meet the basic needs of society. Tools, sources of food, modes of travel & communication, etc. Tools, sources of food, modes of travel & communication, etc. Changes the look of the cultural landscape. Changes the look of the cultural landscape.

Language Acts as a strong unifying force. Acts as a strong unifying force. Often the corner stone of a culture’s identity. Often the corner stone of a culture’s identity. Inuit: at least 24 words for snowInuit: at least 24 words for snow Spoken & body language. Spoken & body language. A smile is universalA smile is universal GesturesGestures

Non-Verbal Gestures What does this mean to you?

Non-Verbal Gestures Italy- What do you mean?

Non-Verbal Gestures Greece- That’s just perfect.

Non-Verbal Gestures Egypt- Be patient.

Culture Hearths The places where important ideas begin & from where they spread to other cultures. The places where important ideas begin & from where they spread to other cultures. The U.S. as a Culture Hearth? The U.S. as a Culture Hearth?

Cultural Diffusion The spreading of new skills & knowledge from one culture to another. The spreading of new skills & knowledge from one culture to another. Can happen through trade, migration, & war. Can happen through trade, migration, & war.

Acculturation The process of adapting a new cultural trait from another culture. The process of adapting a new cultural trait from another culture. The cultural trait is changed to reflect the values of that culture. The cultural trait is changed to reflect the values of that culture.