CULTURECULTURE

The Basis of CultureThe Basis of Culture

A.A. SocietySociety: A defined territory inhabited by people : A defined territory inhabited by people who share a common culturewho share a common culture

B.B. CultureCulture: A society’s total way of life; : A society’s total way of life; knowledge, values, customs shared by members knowledge, values, customs shared by members of a societyof a society

1.1. Material cultureMaterial culture: physical tangible objects: physical tangible objects

2.2. Nonmaterial cultureNonmaterial culture: ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values : ideas, knowledge, beliefs, values that influence behaviorthat influence behavior

Nature vs. Nurture Debate: Nature vs. Nurture Debate: About 50% is genetic makeup and 50% is About 50% is genetic makeup and 50% is

environmentenvironment

InstinctsInstincts: genetically inherited, unlearned : genetically inherited, unlearned patterns of behavior EX: being a mother? No- patterns of behavior EX: being a mother? No- not all women want kidsnot all women want kids

ReflexReflex: automatic reactions to physical : automatic reactions to physical stimulistimuliEX: pupils contract in bright lightEX: pupils contract in bright light

DriveDrive: Biologically inherited impulse to : Biologically inherited impulse to reduce discomfort EX: eat, drink, sleepreduce discomfort EX: eat, drink, sleep

What is Culture?What is Culture?• for anthropologists and other for anthropologists and other

behavioral scientists, behavioral scientists, culture culture is the full range of learned is the full range of learned human behavior patterns.human behavior patterns.   

• The term was first used in The term was first used in this way by the pioneer this way by the pioneer English Anthropologist English Anthropologist Edward B. TylorEdward B. Tylor in his in his book, book, Primitive Culture,Primitive Culture, published in 1871.  published in 1871. 

• Tylor said that culture is Tylor said that culture is "that complex whole which "that complex whole which includes includes knowledgeknowledge, , beliefbelief, , artart, , lawlaw, , moralsmorals, , customcustom, and , and any other any other capabilitiescapabilities and and habitshabits acquired by man as a acquired by man as a member of society." member of society." 

Edward B. Tylor

What is Canadian Culture?What is Canadian Culture?

•What do you define as Canadian What do you define as Canadian culture? culture?

•What symbols are connected with What symbols are connected with the “Canadian Identity”? Could the “Canadian Identity”? Could Canada be considered as having Canada be considered as having onlyonly one set identity? one set identity?

•What is the difference between What is the difference between the Cultural Mosaic and the the Cultural Mosaic and the Melting Pot? Melting Pot?

•Is it cool to be “Proud to be Is it cool to be “Proud to be Canadian?”Canadian?”

The RantThe RantA Product of Molson CanadianA Product of Molson Canadian

Hey. I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader. Hey. I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader. And I don't live in an igloo, or eat blubber, or own a dogsled. And I don't live in an igloo, or eat blubber, or own a dogsled. And I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I'm And I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I'm

certain certain they're really, really nice. they're really, really nice. I have a Prime Minister, not a President. I have a Prime Minister, not a President. I speak English and French, NOT American. and I pronounce it I speak English and French, NOT American. and I pronounce it

'ABOUT', NOT 'ABOUT', NOT 'A BOOT'. 'A BOOT'. I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack. I believe in I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack. I believe in

peace peace keeping, NOT policing. DIVERSITY, NOT assimilation, AND THAT keeping, NOT policing. DIVERSITY, NOT assimilation, AND THAT

THE BEAVER THE BEAVER IS A TRULY PROUD AND NOBLE ANIMAL. IS A TRULY PROUD AND NOBLE ANIMAL. A TOQUE IS A HAT, A CHESTERFIELD IS A COUCH, AND IT IS A TOQUE IS A HAT, A CHESTERFIELD IS A COUCH, AND IT IS

PRONOUNCED PRONOUNCED 'ZED' NOT 'ZEE', 'ZED'!!! 'ZED' NOT 'ZEE', 'ZED'!!! CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST LANDMASS! THE FIRST CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST LANDMASS! THE FIRST

NATION OF NATION OF HOCKEY! AND THE BEST PART OF NORTH AMERICA! HOCKEY! AND THE BEST PART OF NORTH AMERICA! MY NAME IS JOE!! AND I AM CANADIAN!!!!!!!! MY NAME IS JOE!! AND I AM CANADIAN!!!!!!!! Thank you. Thank you.

The Rant ContinuedThe Rant Continued

• Why do you believe The Rant was so Why do you believe The Rant was so effective as an advertising effective as an advertising campaign? campaign?

• Do you believe it became more than Do you believe it became more than just a commercial to sell beer? Why just a commercial to sell beer? Why

• What does this say about Canadian What does this say about Canadian Culture with respect to our southern Culture with respect to our southern neighbors?neighbors?

How do Anthropologists regard How do Anthropologists regard cultures? (ch2)cultures? (ch2)

Anthropologists see culture – as a constantly changing Anthropologists see culture – as a constantly changing organism.organism.

Change happens gradually unless completely destroyed by Change happens gradually unless completely destroyed by another cultureanother culture

They see cultural change as a result of a limited # of factors and they try to They see cultural change as a result of a limited # of factors and they try to identify that is the most significant at the time. (i.e. leadership, shift in identify that is the most significant at the time. (i.e. leadership, shift in values, norms, technological change, environmental change)values, norms, technological change, environmental change)

Generally Anthropologist study cultures that are relatively Generally Anthropologist study cultures that are relatively isolated (developing countries)isolated (developing countries)

What causes cultures to change? “Social Changes”?What causes cultures to change? “Social Changes”?

Classification of CultureClassification of CultureWhether or not culture is likely to change depends on:Whether or not culture is likely to change depends on:

1.1. Physical environmentPhysical environment – (length of winter) – (length of winter)

2.2. Level of technologyLevel of technology – (very wired, travel on foot, etc.) – (very wired, travel on foot, etc.)

3.3. Social OrganizationSocial Organization – (kinship system, division of – (kinship system, division of labour)labour)

4.4. System of symbolsSystem of symbols – (Physical objects, gestures, dance, – (Physical objects, gestures, dance, trends, hairstyles) trends, hairstyles)

They study these aspects of culture to answer anthropological questions

Ch2 - pg. 41-45Ch2 - pg. 41-45

3 Major Sources of Cultural 3 Major Sources of Cultural ChangeChange

InventionInvention – new products, ideas, social patterns – new products, ideas, social patterns

DiscoveryDiscovery – finding something previously unknown – finding something previously unknown

DiffusionDiffusion – spreading of ideas methods and tools – spreading of ideas methods and tools

EnculturationEnculturation: : The process where members of a The process where members of a culture learn and internalize shared ideas, values, culture learn and internalize shared ideas, values, and beliefsand beliefs

LANGUAGE & LANGUAGE &

CULTURECULTUREAre we born knowing our culture? Are we born knowing our culture?

KNOWING OUR CULTURE:KNOWING OUR CULTURE: The pen is mightier than the _____________The pen is mightier than the _____________ Better safe than _______________Better safe than _______________ Don’t bite the hand that _____________Don’t bite the hand that _____________ No news is ____________________No news is ____________________ A penny saved is a ________________A penny saved is a ________________ Children should be seen and not Children should be seen and not

____________________________ Better late than ______________Better late than ______________

A.A. The Relationship between Language and The Relationship between Language and CultureCulture

1.1. Culture is learned by the passing on of Culture is learned by the passing on of experiences, ideas, and knowledgeexperiences, ideas, and knowledge

2.2. SymbolsSymbols: something chosen to represent : something chosen to represent something elsesomething else

LanguageLanguage Physical objectsPhysical objects GesturesGestures Body languageBody language

B.B. Sapir-Whorf HypothesisSapir-Whorf Hypothesis:: Our idea of reality Our idea of reality depends upon the particular language that we depends upon the particular language that we have learnedhave learned

He threw me a curve ballHe threw me a curve ballThe teacher fielded my questions wellThe teacher fielded my questions wellYou’re way off baseYou’re way off baseYou’re really batting 1000You’re really batting 1000What are the ground rules?What are the ground rules?I just wanted to touch base with youI just wanted to touch base with youShe really went to bat for meShe really went to bat for meYou have two strikes against you alreadyYou have two strikes against you alreadyHe’s a real team playerHe’s a real team playerJust give me a ballpark estimateJust give me a ballpark estimateAah…you’re way out in left fieldAah…you’re way out in left field

WHAT CAN VOCAB TELL WHAT CAN VOCAB TELL YOU ABOUT A CULTURE?YOU ABOUT A CULTURE?

-When something is important to a society, its -When something is important to a society, its language will have many words to describe itlanguage will have many words to describe it

Ex: Canadian obsession with time…Ex: Canadian obsession with time…

nanosecond, millisecond, moment, minute, hour, era, nanosecond, millisecond, moment, minute, hour, era, interim, recurrent, century, light year, afternoon, interim, recurrent, century, light year, afternoon, eternal, annual, meanwhile, regularly, tardyeternal, annual, meanwhile, regularly, tardy

… …just to name a few! just to name a few!

DiscussionDiscussion Describe some specific ways you see language Describe some specific ways you see language

affecting social behavior among students at affecting social behavior among students at our schoolour school

Some experts believe that without language Some experts believe that without language there is no thought. Do you agree? Why or there is no thought. Do you agree? Why or why not?why not?

Norms and ValuesNorms and Values

A.A. Norms:Norms: The rules we live byThe rules we live by1.1. They define what is appropriate and They define what is appropriate and

inappropriateinappropriate

2.2. They are They are learnedlearned

3.3. They guide social behaviorThey guide social behavior

4.4. They may be so ingrained that we are unaware They may be so ingrained that we are unaware of them of them untiluntil one is brokenone is broken

Examples? Examples?

B.B. Types of norms Types of norms 1.1. FolkwaysFolkways

a)a) Routine ways of doing thingsRoutine ways of doing things

b)b) Norms with little moral significanceNorms with little moral significance

c)c) A violation will elicit a mild social reactionA violation will elicit a mild social reaction

2.2. MoresMores (Mor-ays) (Mor-ays)

a)a) Norms that have great moral significanceNorms that have great moral significance

b)b) Conformity draws approval and violation can Conformity draws approval and violation can bring strong disapprovalbring strong disapproval

c)c) Most serious of all mores is a Most serious of all mores is a tabootaboo

1.1. LawsLaws 1.1. Formally defined normsFormally defined norms

2.2. Enforced by law officialsEnforced by law officials

C.C. Enforcing NormsEnforcing Norms

1.Informal Sanctions1.Informal Sanctions: rewards and punishments : rewards and punishments used to encourage people to follow normsused to encourage people to follow norms(informal)(informal)

Examples?Examples?

2. Formal Sanctions2. Formal Sanctions: Can only be applied by : Can only be applied by officially designated personsofficially designated persons

Examples? Examples?

D.D. ValuesValues: Broad ideas about what most people : Broad ideas about what most people consider to be desirableconsider to be desirable

1.1. They form the They form the basisbasis for norms for norms

2.2. Different societies can have a different norm Different societies can have a different norm based on the same valuebased on the same value

Examples? Examples?

Belief and Material CultureBelief and Material Culture

A.A. BeliefBelief: Ideas about the nature of reality: Ideas about the nature of reality1.1. They can be true or falseThey can be true or false2.2. People base behavior on their beliefs regardless of how true or People base behavior on their beliefs regardless of how true or

false it isfalse it is

B.B. The Gap: Ideal and RealThe Gap: Ideal and Real1.1. Ideal cultureIdeal culture – guidelines a culture – guidelines a culture claims claims to acceptto accept2.2. Real cultureReal culture – actual behavior patterns by members of a – actual behavior patterns by members of a

societysociety

Example: Honesty is a virtueExample: Honesty is a virtue-cheating on exams-cheating on exams-not paying taxes-not paying taxes-dishonest business practices-dishonest business practices-copying a friends homework-copying a friends homework

Material Culture- the concrete, tangible objects Material Culture- the concrete, tangible objects of a cultureof a culture

-Have no meaning or use apart from meanings -Have no meaning or use apart from meanings people give thempeople give them

Examples?Examples?

Cultural Diversity and SimilarityCultural Diversity and Similarity

EthnocentrismEthnocentrism: Judging others in terms of : Judging others in terms of one’s own culture and believing that one’s one’s own culture and believing that one’s own culture is superior or more desirableown culture is superior or more desirable

Cultural RelativismCultural Relativism: Learning to look at : Learning to look at things from a different point of view. Not things from a different point of view. Not making a value judgment based on your making a value judgment based on your beliefs and normsbeliefs and norms

A.A. Culture is dynamicCulture is dynamic

B.B. Why does culture change?Why does culture change?1.1. DiscoveryDiscovery – finding something that already – finding something that already

existsexists

2.2. InventionInvention – creation of something new – creation of something newExample: light bulb, cell phones, internetExample: light bulb, cell phones, internet

3.3. DiffusionDiffusion – borrowing from another culture – borrowing from another cultureExample: Tacos, pizza, ??Example: Tacos, pizza, ??

C.C. Social categoriesSocial categories: groupings of persons who : groupings of persons who share a social characteristic (age, gender, religion)share a social characteristic (age, gender, religion)

D.D. SubcultureSubculture: A group that is part of dominant : A group that is part of dominant culture but differs in an important respectculture but differs in an important respect

Example: Chinatown, circus friendsExample: Chinatown, circus friends

E.E. CountercultureCounterculture: A subculture deliberately and : A subculture deliberately and consciously opposed to central beliefs and consciously opposed to central beliefs and attitudes of dominate cultureattitudes of dominate culture

Example: anarchist, gangsExample: anarchist, gangs

F.F. Cultural universalsCultural universals: general cultural traits : general cultural traits that exists in all culturesthat exists in all cultures

Examples: language, marriage, cooking and Examples: language, marriage, cooking and eating rituals, family, government, religion, eating rituals, family, government, religion, humor, music, sports, funeral riteshumor, music, sports, funeral rites

G.G. Cultural particularsCultural particulars: The way a specific : The way a specific culture expresses a universal trait culture expresses a universal trait

Example: childcare Example: childcare