Contents
- 1 What Is Culture?
- 2 Culture definition
- 3 What is Culture?
- 4 What Do We Mean by Culture?
- 5 Understanding Race
- 6 Where Do You Come From?
- 7 Gender and Sexual Orientation
- 8 The Role of Money
- 9 Examples of Culture
- 10 Culture Linked to Geography
- 11 Identifying Examples of Cultures Around You
- 12 Recognizing Examples of Culture
- 13 Culture Shock
- 14 Understanding Culture
- 15 Culture Defined
- 16 Culture: Everything, we as people, are.
What Is Culture?
The image is courtesy of Getty Images/Saha Entertainment. Culture is defined as the features and knowledge of a certain group of people, and it includes language, religion, food, social behaviors, music, and the arts, among other things. Cultural patterns, interactions, cognitive constructs, and comprehension are defined by theCenter for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition as common patterns of behavior and interaction that are learnt via socialization, according to the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition As a result, culture may be defined as the development of a group identity that is influenced by social patterns that are exclusive to the group.
In her interview with Live Science, Cristina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London explained that “culture encompasses everything from religion to food to clothing to language to marriage to music to beliefs about what is right and wrong.” “Culture encompasses everything from religion to food to clothing to language to marriage to music to beliefs about what is right and wrong,” she added.
Many nations, such as France, Italy, Germany, the United States, India, Russia, and China, are known for their diverse cultures, with their customs, traditions, music, art, and cuisine serving as a constant pull for tourists to these countries and others.
As De Rossi explained, “it shares its origin with a number of other terms that are associated with actively supporting development.”
Western culture
The fall of the Roman Empire had a significant impact on Western civilization. The image is courtesy of Chase Dekker Wild-Life Images/Getty Images. ) In recent years, according to Khan University, the phrase “Western culture” has come to refer to the cultures of European nations as well as those countries that have been extensively impacted by European immigration, such as the United States. Western culture may be traced back to the Classical Period of the Greco-Roman era (the fourth and fifth centuries B.C.) and the development of Christianity in the fourteenth century as its origins.
- Throughout the past 2,500 years, a slew of historical events have contributed to the development of Western culture.
- 476, paved the way for the development of a succession of often-warring nations in Europe, each with its own culture, after which the Middle Ages began.
- According to Ohio State University historian John L.
- As a result of elites being compelled to pay more for scarce labor, survivors in the working class have gained more influence.
Today, Western culture can be found in practically every country on the planet, and its influences may be traced back to its origins.
Eastern culture
Buddhism has a significant role in the civilizations of various Eastern countries. Nachi Falls, Japan, is home to the Buddhist temple Seigantoji, which may be seen here. The image is courtesy of Getty Images/Saha Entertainment. Far East Asian culture (which includes China, Japan, Vietnam, North Korea, and South Korea) and the Indian subcontinent are commonly referred to as Eastern culture in general. When compared to Western culture, Eastern culture was highly impacted by religion throughout its early history, but the cultivation and harvesting of rice had a significant impact on its evolution as well, according to a study report published in the journal Rice in 2012.
- This umbrella term, on the other hand, encompasses a vast array of traditions and histories.
- Thus, Hinduism rose to prominence as a significant force in Indian culture, while Buddhism continued to have an impact on the cultures of both China and Japan.
- In the case of Chinese Buddhism, for example, according to Jiahe Liu and Dongfang Shao, the philosophy of Taoism, which stresses compassion, frugality, and humility, was taken.
- During the period 1876 to 1945, for example, Japan ruled or occupied Korea in various forms.
Latin culture
Da de los Muertos costumes for children in traditional attire (Image courtesy of Getty/Sollina Images.). The geographical territory that encompasses “Latin culture” is large and diverse. For the sake of this definition, Latin America is comprised of the regions of Central America, South America and Mexico where Spanish or Portuguese is the main language. Beginning in the 1400s, Spain and Portugal colonized or influenced a number of locations across the world, including those listed above. Some historians, such as Michael Gobat, author of “The Invention of Latin America: A Transnational History of Anti-Imperialism, Democracy, and Race” (American Historical Review, Vol.
- Others, however, disagree.
- According to the African American Registery, many of these civilizations were also affected by African cultures as a result of enslaved Africans being carried to the Americas beginning in the 1600s.
- Latino culture is still evolving and spreading around the world.
- The celebration of the Day of the Dead stretches back to before Christopher Columbus arrived in North America, but it was transferred to its current date by Spanish conquerors, who blended it with the Catholic festival of All Saints Day.
In recent years, the holiday has gained widespread recognition in the United States.
Middle Eastern culture
A family from the Middle East sits down to supper together. Jasmin Merdan/Getty Images/Image courtesy of Getty Images The Middle East is roughly defined as the area including the Arabian peninsula as well as the eastern Mediterranean region. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the North African countries of Libya, Egypt, and Sudan are also occasionally mentioned. The term “Middle Eastern culture” is another umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of cultural practices, religious beliefs, and daily habits from all over the Middle East and North Africa.
- Despite the fact that there is significant religious diversity in the Middle East, Islam is the religion with the greatest number of adherents, and Islam has played a significant role in the cultural development of the region.
- According to the Metropoliton Museum, the death of the religion’s founder, Muhammad, in 632, marked a watershed moment in the development of Middle Eastern culture and civilization.
- Consequently, a split developed between Shia Muslims, who held the importance of bloodline in high regard, and Sunni Muslims, who held that leadership should not be passed down through the family lineage.
- Their rites and customs differ somewhat from one another, and the divisions that exist between the two groups frequently lead to conflict.
- Areas that were formerly a part of the Ottoman Empire are noted for their distinctive architecture, which is influenced by Persian and Islamic styles of architecture.
African culture
In Kenya, Africa, an African woman from the Maasai tribe sits with her infant near to her home, where she lives. (Photo courtesy of hadynyah/Getty Images.) ) Africa has the longest history of human habitation of any continent: it has been inhabited since the beginning of time. According to the Natural History Museum in London, humans started there approximately 400,000 years ago and began to spread to other parts of the world around the same time period. Tom White, the museum’s senior curator of non-insect invertebrates, and his colleagues were able to find this by examining Africa’s ancient lakes and the species that lived in them.
- As of the publication of this article, this research provides the earliest evidence for the existence of hominin species on the Arabian peninsula.
- One of the most distinguishing characteristics of this culture is the enormous number of ethnic groups spread over the continent’s 54 countries.
- Africa has been importing and exporting its culture for millennia; according to The Field Museum, East African commercial ports served as a vital link between the East and the West as early as the seventh century.
- With a single description, it would be hard to capture the entirety of African cultural diversity.
- Traditions from traditional Sub-Saharan African civilizations include those of the Maasai people of Tanzania and Kenya, the Zulu people of South Africa, and the Batwa people of Central Africa, to name a few.
The Batwa, for example, are a tribe of indigenous people that typically live a forager’s lifestyle in the jungle, and they are one such group. Maasai herders, on the other hand, herd their sheep and goats on broad pastures and rangelands.
What is cultural appropriation?
Cultural appropriation, according to the Oxford Reference dictionary, is defined as “the taking over of creative or artistic forms, motifs, or practices by one cultural group from another.” A non-Native American wearing a Native American headdress as a fashion item would be one example of this practice. The fashion house Victoria’s Secret was highly condemned in 2012 after a model was dressed in a headdress that looked like a Lakota war bonnet, according to the newspaper USA Today. According to the Khan Academy, these headdresses are filled with important significance, and wearing one was a luxury gained by chieftains or warriors by deeds of courage and valor.
Recent history shows that Gucci encountered a similar reaction in 2019 after selling a product known as “the indy complete turban,” which sparked widespread outrage among the Sikh community, according to Esquire magazine.
Turbans have been worn as ‘hats’ by your models, although practicing Sikhs knot their turbans properly fold-by-fold.
Constant change
One thing is clear about cultures, no matter how they appear on the surface: they change. According to De Rossi, “Culture appears to have become important in our linked globe, which is made up of so many ethnically different nations, but which is also rife with conflicts related with religion, ethnicity, ethical values, and, fundamentally, the aspects that make up culture.” “Culture, on the other hand, is no longer set, if it ever was. In its essence, it is fluid and in perpetual motion.” Consequently, it is impossible to characterize any culture in a singular manner.
A body known as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has been established by the United Nations to identify cultural and natural heritage as well as to conserve and safeguard it.
It was signed by UNESCO in 1972 and has been in force since since.
Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, where she writes on a variety of subjects ranging from geology to archaeology to the human brain and psychology.
Her undergraduate degree in psychology came from the University of South Carolina, and her graduate certificate in scientific communication came from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Culture definition
- Individual and group striving over generations has resulted in a group of people accumulating a vast store of knowledge and experience, as well as beliefs and values, attitudes, and meanings. Culture includes hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relationships, concepts of the universe, as well as material objects and possessions. In general, culture refers to the systems of knowledge that are shared by a reasonably significant number of individuals. Cultural expressions are communicated, and cultural expressions are communicated
- Culture, in its broadest meaning, is cultivated behavior
- That is, it is the sum of a person’s learned, collected experience that is passed down through social transmission, or, to put it another way, it is conduct acquired through social learning. A culture is a way of life for a group of people-the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, typically without questioning them, and that are passed down from one generation to the next through communication and imitation. Culture is a means of communicating symbolically. Skills, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and motivations of a group are just a few of the symbols that may be used. The meanings of symbols are taught and purposefully preserved in a culture through the institutions of that society
- And Culture consists of patterns of and for behavior acquired and transmitted by symbols, which constitute the distinctive achievement of human groups, including their embodiment in artifacts
- The essential core of culture consists of traditional ideas and especially their attached values
- Culture systems may be considered on the one hand as products of action, and on the other hand as conditioning influences upon further action
- As defined by the United Nations, culture is “the sum total of the learned behaviors by a group of people that are widely recognized to be the tradition of that group of people and are transferred from generation to generation.” In other words, culture is a collective programming of the mind that separates the members of one group or category of people from the members of another group or category of people.
- Human nature, according to this viewpoint, is determined by the ideas, meanings, beliefs, and values that people learn as members of society. People are defined by the lessons they have learned. Optimistic versions of cultural determinism believe that human beings have the ability to accomplish and be whatever they desire regardless of their environment. According to some anthropologists, there is no universally acceptable “correct way” to be a human being. While the “right method” is usually always “our way,” it is virtually never the case that “our way” in one civilization will be the same as “our way” in any other society. It is only through tolerance that a well-informed human being can maintain a proper attitude. The optimistic version of this theory holds that human nature is infinitely malleable and that human beings can choose the ways of life that they prefer
- The pessimistic version holds that people are what they have been conditioned to be and that they have no control over this. Human beings are passive animals that do whatever their culture instructs them to do, regardless of their actions. In response to this theory, behaviorism is developed, which places the reasons of human behavior in a world that is completely beyond human control.
- Different cultural groupings have distinct ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. There are no scientific standards that can be used to determine whether one group is essentially superior or inferior in comparison to another. The study of cultural variations across people and cultures implies the acceptance of a cultural relativism viewpoint. Neither for oneself nor for one’s society does it represent a return to normalcy. If one is interacting with groups or communities that are not similar to one’s own, it is necessary to exercise caution. Information regarding the nature of cultural differences across cultures, their origins, and effects should be obtained before making any decisions or taking any action. Parties that grasp the causes for their differences in opinions have a better chance of achieving a successful outcome in negotiations
- In ethnocentrism, the conviction that one’s own culture is superior than that of other civilizations is asserted over time. It is a type of reductionism in which one lowers the “other way” of living to a distorted version of one’s own way of existence. This is especially significant in the case of international business transactions, when a corporation or a person may be under the impression that techniques, materials, or ideas that worked in the home country will likewise work in the foreign country. Consequently, environmental variations are not taken into consideration. Ethnocentrism may be classified into the following categories when it comes to international business transactions:
- A preoccupation with specific cause-and-effect correlations in one’s own nation causes important elements in business to be disregarded. In order to ensure that all major factors have been at least considered while working abroad, it is always a good idea to consult checklists of human variables. Even though one may be aware of the environmental differences and problems associated with change, one’s primary focus may be on achieving objectives that are specific to one’s home country. A corporation or an individual’s efficacy in terms of worldwide competitiveness may be diminished as a result of this. The objectives defined for global operations should likewise be global in scope
- While it is acknowledged that there are differences, it is expected that the accompanying modifications are so fundamental that they can be accomplished without difficulty. An examination of the costs and benefits of the planned modifications is always a good idea before proceeding. A change may cause significant disruption to essential values, and as a result, it may encounter opposition when it is attempted to be implemented. Depending on the change, the costs of implementing the change may outweigh the advantages received from implementing the change.
EXAMPLES OF CULTURAL MANIFESTATIONS Cultural differences present themselves in a variety of ways and to varying degrees of depth in different contexts. Symbols are the most surface representations of culture, while ideals represent the most profound manifestations of culture, with heroes and rituals filling in the gaps.
- Symbols are words, actions, pictures, or things that convey a specific meaning that can only be understood by people who are familiar with a certain culture or tradition. New symbols are readily created, but old symbols are quickly demolished. Symbols from one particular group are frequently imitated by other groups as well. This is why symbols are considered to be the most superficial layer of a society
- Heroes are individuals, whether historical or contemporary, real or imaginary, who exemplify attributes that are highly regarded in a community. They also serve as examples for appropriate behavior
- Rituals are group activities that, while often redundant in terms of achieving intended results, are thought to be socially necessary in order to maintain social order. Therefore, they are carried out most of the time just for their own sake (as in ways of greeting others, showing respect to others, religious and social rites, etc.)
- Values serve as the foundation of a society’s culture. They are broad inclinations for preferring one state of affairs above another in comparison to other states of affairs (good-evil, right-wrong, natural-unnatural). Many values are held by people who are completely unaware of them. As a result, they are frequently unable to be addressed, nor can they be immediately viewed by others. It is only through seeing how people behave in different situations that we may deduce their values. Symbols, heroes, and rituals are the physical or visual parts of a culture’s activities that are visible to the general public. When practices are understood by insiders, the real cultural meaning of the practices is disclosed
- Otherwise, the practices remain intangible and remain hidden.
The manifestation of culture at various levels of depth is seen in Figure 1: LAYERS OF CULTURE Within oneself, even people from the same culture, there are multiple levels of mental conditioning to contend with. At the following levels of development, several layers of culture may be found:
- The national level is one that is associated with the entire nation
- On the regional level: This refers to the disparities that exist between ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups within a country. When it comes to gender disparities (male vs. female), the gender level is associated with these differences. It is associated with the disparities between grandparents and parents, as well as between parents and children at the generational level. It is associated with educational chances as well as inequalities in occupational prospects. The corporate level: This level is associated with the specific culture of a given organization. Those who are employed are covered by this provision.
MOUNTING CULTURAL DIFFERENCESA variable can be operationalized using either single-measure or multivariate methodologies, depending on the situation. After the domain of a concept has been empirically sampled, a single-measure technique is used to measure its domain; a composite-measure technique is used to construct an index for the concept after several indicators have been used to measure its domain after the concept has been empirically sampled. According to Hofstede (1997), a composite-measure approach has been developed to quantify cultural differences across various societies:
- It assesses the degree of inequality that occurs in a society using a power distance index. UCAI (Uncertainty Avoidance Index): This index evaluates the extent to which a society perceives itself to be threatened by uncertain or ambiguous situations. Individualism index: The index measures how individualistic a society is in comparison to other societies. Individuals are expected to look for themselves and their immediate families exclusively, which is what individualism is all about in a society where people are expected to look after themselves and their immediate families only. In contrast, collectivism is a social structure in which individuals discriminate between in-groups and out-groups, and they expect their in-groups (relatives, clans, organizations, etc.) to care after them in exchange for their complete commitment. Specifically, the index assesses the amount to which the major values are assertiveness, money, and things (success), and that the dominating values are not caring for others or for the quality of life. Womanhood (in a romantic relationship) would be on the other end of the scale.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES ARE BEING RECONCILIATED Consciousness of one’s cultural heritage:
- Before embarking on a worldwide assignment, it is likely that it will be important to ascertain any cultural differences that may exist between one’s own nation and the country in which the business will be conducted or conducted. Where there are differences, it is necessary to determine whether and to what extent the practices of one’s native nation can be adapted to the foreign setting. The majority of the time, the alterations are not immediately noticeable or palpable. Certain features of a culture may be learnt consciously (for example, different ways of greeting people), while other differences may be learned unconsciously (for example, different ways of dressing) (e.g. methods of problem solving). The development of cultural awareness may not be a simple process, but once completed, it will unquestionably aid in the completion of a work efficiently in a foreign setting. Discussions and reading about different cultures absolutely aid in the development of cultural awareness, but the perspectives expressed must be carefully weighed before they are shared. Sometimes they represent incorrect prejudices, a judgment of merely a subset of a certain group of individuals, or a circumstance that has since experienced significant changes. It’s usually a good idea to obtain a variety of perspectives on a single culture.
Cultures grouped together:
- Some nations may have many characteristics in common that contribute to the formation of their cultures (the modifiers may be language, religion, geographical location, etc.). Based on the information gathered from previous cross-cultural research, nations can be classified according to their shared values and attitudes. When travelling inside a cluster, less changes are likely to be observed than when going from one cluster to another.
Determine the amount of global participation by asking the following questions:
- It is not necessary for all businesses operating on a global scale to have the same level of cultural knowledge. Figure 2 depicts the extent to which a company’s understanding of global cultures is required at various levels of participation. The further a firm progresses away from its primary duty of conducting domestic business, the greater the need it has for cultural awareness and understanding. The necessity of increasing cultural awareness as a result of expanding outward on more than one axis at the same time becomes even more apparent.
Figure 2: Cultural Awareness and the Degree to Which the World Is Involved G. Hofstede is cited as a source (1997). Cultures and organizations are like software for the human brain. McGraw-Hill Education, New York. Here are a few recent publications. Firms Considering Expanding Into New Markets Face Culture Shock. However, the temptation of reconstruction contracts in locations such as Afghanistan and Iraq may tempt some corporations to take on more risk than they are prepared to take on in the United States.
- However, the tremendous rehabilitation of countries damaged by conflict has the potential to trip up even the most experienced among them.
- Language and cultural differences must also be taken into consideration.
- The United States government’s conference on reconstructing Afghanistan, held in Chicago last week, went a long way toward identifying prospects in the country.
- The first lesson is to abandon ethnocentric beliefs that the world should adjust to our style of doing business rather than the other way around, as is commonly done.
- Chinese representatives provided a wealth of information to U.S.
- The qualities of patience, attention, and sensitivity are not commonly associated with building, but they may be beneficial in cultures that are different from our own.
- [ENR (2003).
- No.
- [New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.] Do We See Things the Same Way?
- These studies show that taking cultural variations into account when utilizing observation techniques in cross-cultural research, as well as in practical contexts such as performance assessment and international management, is crucial.
- Culture has an important role in research and management, according to the findings of this study.
[Karakowsky, LiKarakowsky] (2001). Do We See Things the Same Way? The Implications of Cultural Differences for Research and Practice in Cross-Cultural Management The Journal of Psychology, volume 135 number 5, pages 501-517.]
What is Culture?
‘Culture is the learned information that individuals draw on to understand their experiences and create behavior,’ says the author. an anthropologist named James Spradley Understanding culture necessitates not just a grasp of linguistic distinctions, but also of differences in knowledge, perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and actions among people from different cultures. Culture (derived from the Latincultura, which is from colere, which means “to cultivate”) is a generic term that refers to patterns of human behavior as well as the symbolic structures that provide meaning and significance to these patterns of activity.
When it comes to culture, it may be described as the entire set of ways of life of a people that are passed down from one generation to the next, including arts, beliefs, and institutions.
Let’s have a listen to what our panelists have to say.
What Do We Mean by Culture?
Before we proceed any further, let us take a moment to define what we mean by culture. When you first started reading this chapter, what did you believe we were talking about when we spoke the word culture? If you answered in the affirmative, it was most likely because you were referring to people from various nations or with distinct racial and cultural origins. I think you’re right, to a certain extent. Culture includes identification indicators such as race, country, and ethnicity, but it also extends beyond these categories.
Besides discussing the identities mentioned above, we will also discuss ethnocentrism, privileges, advantages and disadvantages as well as power, whiteness, co-culture, and political correctness, all of which are important concepts to understand the interplay between communication and culture, as well as the interplay between communication and culture in general.
Language usage, suitable forms of dress, and worldviews are all influenced by cultural norms. The notion is vast and involves many aspects of our life, such as the role of the family, the individual, educational systems, employment, and gender, amongst other things.
Understanding Race
If you want to understand the biology of human variety, you have to ask yourself whether the term “race” is an appropriate way to represent what you are learning. –Janis Hutchinson, a biologist who specializes in evolutionary biology Not because of the inherent complexities of the term itself, but rather because of the function that race plays in society, it is frequently difficult to discuss about race in a constructive manner. A loaded term, as we say in the industry, is one that may elicit powerful emotions and implications in people.
A biological construction of race asserts that “pure” races existed and could be identified by physical characteristics such as eye color and shape, skin color and hair texture, and other physical characteristics Furthermore, it is possible to link these disparities back to genetic differences.
- Aside from that, there is no empirical relationship between racial identification and cultural characteristics or behaviors.
- The simple explanation is that it is not a person’s DNA but rather all of the other elements that influence social interactions, such as politics, geography, and migration, that determine where they belong in a given racial grouping.
- In the past, as depicted in the 2002 film “Gangs of New York,” the Irish were considered a minority with no social or political standing.
- Note the shift in thinking of race away from its biological roots and toward its sociopolitical manifestations: “a mostly social—yet powerful—construction of human difference that has been exploited to divide human beings into various value-based categories,” we write (Orbe and Harris 9).
- Racism is the most extreme of these concepts.
- It is the outer manifestation of racial prejudice when people act on their unfavorable opinions about other races when speaking or making policy decisions.
- Racism, as the ultimate notion, is a combination of racial prejudice and social power.
Racism is frequently associated with uneven access to resources and political power.
Where Do You Come From?
Ethnicity and nationality are two more categories that are sometimes used interchangeably with race. It is a person’s or a group’s background and history, as well as shared cultural customs and beliefs, that is referred to as their ethnicity. A person who identifies as Asian-American ethnically may be of Chinese descent, despite the fact that they are not Asian. Nationality refers to a person’s nation-state of residency or the country in which they are a citizen. However, on occasion people put up their citizenship by birth and relocate to a new country where they assert their national identity, a phenomenon known as renunciation of citizenship by birth.
Gender and Sexual Orientation
Do you identify as masculine or female? Do you consider yourself to be straight, homosexual, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered in any way? Gender and sexual orientation are two more perspectives on culture that might be considered. In Chapter 13, we will go into further depth about gender, but for the time being consider of it as the identification of one’s sexual identity as either male, female, or androgynous. Gender is a component of culture in the sense that every civilization has certain gender roles and expectations for both men and women.
- However, among some Native American tribes, it was common for the males to decorate themselves with paint before going hunting or participating in ceremonial rites to show their status.
- It is possible that one’s sexual orientation has an impact on one’s worldview or politics since, while all cultures have persons who identify as homosexual or lesbian, these individuals do not always enjoy the same social and health benefits as heterosexual couples.
- Gay marriage has been legal in all 50 states since the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the decision in 2015.
- Discrimination at work or straining family ties are possible outcomes of this situation.
The Role of Money
You are undoubtedly acquainted with the notion of class—what do the words working class, middle-class, and upper-class conjure up in your mind when you hear them? Money? Economic position is simply one variable that determines one’s social class or socioeconomic standing. There are several more. As the name implies, one’s socioeconomic position is determined by a variety of monetary and social considerations. To put it simply, socioeconomic status is “your perception of the world and where you fit in; it is composed of ideas and actions as well as attitudes, values, and language; class is defined by how you think and feel as well as how you behave, dress, talk, and walk” (Langston 101).
- As a result, it may be assumed that the children will attend fairly priced state schools and universities rather than Ivy League universities, which may be the norm in many upper-class households in the United States.
- What about spirituality or religion, job, interests, political views, age, and abilities?
- These are also characteristics of one’s cultural identity.
- We may feel suffocated by the continual obligation to put in our time at work.
Read Bruce E. Levine’s essay on this phenomenon for further information. How America’s preoccupation with money causes us to become comatose Do you feel that, as a result of reading the essay, we have grown more focused on money? Why?
Examples of Culture
In general, culture may be defined as the traditions, arts, and social interactions that are unique to a certain nation, people, or other group to which individuals identify or belong. It may also be characterized as an appreciation for the arts and for human intellectual progress in other fields of study. In both perspectives, examples of culture may be a useful tool for gaining a fast knowledge of the subject matter. illustrative of culture
Culture Linked to Geography
Some features of culture are associated with a specific geographic area, such as a country or a geographic region.
National Identity (Country-Specific Culture)
Visiting a new (to you) nation and marveling at the way people in that country speak, think, and act, especially in comparison to what you’re accustomed to in your home country, is not uncommon when traveling.
- The languages of a country have an impact on its national identity and enable for successful communication. Dialects and accents can be used to distinguish between different subcultures that exist within a country. As countries approach their culture, they typically reflect this approach in how they spend their collective time, money, and energy
- This approach may also be mirrored in their legal system. Fashion, family life, and commercial interactions, among other aspects of a country’s etiquette and customs, can play an important part in shaping its culture. The use of nonverbal communication varies substantially from country to country. When viewed from a different perspective, the hard handshake that is required in the United States might be perceived as hostile. The beliefs of a country, both religious and historical in nature, are frequently at the heart of that nation’s culture
As an illustration, consider the following instances of cultural exposure peculiar to a particular country or national identity. It goes without saying that there are regional distinctions from one country to the other.
Regional Culture
It’s likely that the place where you live has a distinct cultural identity, especially if you live in a somewhat large civilization like the United States. For example, in the United States, there are some cultural indicators that are shared across the country, such as a love of baseball and American football, or a fondness for apple pie and french fries. There are, nevertheless, significant cultural distinctions across different parts of the country as a whole.
- Being identified as a southern drawlor and speaking in a southern dialect helps people recognize a person as being originally from a specific region of the United States (the South). Throughout Canada, the slang vocabulary differs greatly from one location to the next. From one part of a country to another, different terms might be used to refer to the same subject in different ways. For example, carbonated beverages such as soda, pop, and soft drinks are referred to as such in different regions. Certain meals have a tendency to be connected with a specific geographical location. A deep dish pizza, for example, is the norm in Chicago, while a thinner crust pizza is the norm in New York
- Weather occurrences that are prevalent in a certain place are indicative of the culture of that region. Weather disasters such as hurricanes, fires, blizzard and tornadoes as well as typhoons can affect individuals in different parts of the world. Because of the way their inhabitants prefer to vote in many democratic nations, some qualities tend to be linked with areas within such countries.
Those are only a few illustrations of the cultural variances that might occur across various regions of the same nation.
Culture of Diversity
Depending on your location (state, city/town/province/country), you may live in a community that is extremely welcoming of individuals of various colors, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, or other aspects of variety. Then you are part of a community that places a high value on variety to the point where it is an integral element of the culture and identity of the people living there.
- The community calendar may be jam-packed with festivals and events that bring together members of the community of various races and nationalities. Citizens who were born in other countries may be able to benefit from instructional lectures and research resources available at their local library. The possibility exists of multiple sports options available to citizens of all genders, ages and abilities levels, including those who are disabled
- The agendas of municipal officials, local companies, and religious groups may encourage a wide range of attractive retail, educational, and religious activities
- Nevertheless, this is not guaranteed. Classes in community education that are specifically designed for foreign language learning may be readily available at reasonable prices. Diverse neighborhoods with a high concentration of immigrants are more likely to celebrate cultural diversity. Every September, for example, the city of New York stages a distinctive Caribbean Carnival.
Those activities would be exemplified as manifestations of a diverse culture in a community. Some communities are extremely accepting of differences and strive to be inclusive of all members. This frequently results in instances of cultural dissemination.
Identifying Examples of Cultures Around You
Everywhere you look, there are examples of culture to be found.
Corporate Culture
Working culture may be demonstrated in a multitude of ways, including how people dress, how offices are constructed, how workers are treated, and the manner in which a company incorporates its culture into its goods and services, as well as the manner in which it portrays itself to consumers.
- The design of an office might be either informal or formal. To foster a sense of equality among employees as well as comfort and productivity, employees may be encouraged to dress in a more informal manner. On important milestones in workers’ life, such as their birthdays, weddings, births, and funerals of family members, management may demonstrate a caring and friendly attitude by giving them cards and presents. Customer service excellence, personal acknowledgement of valued customers, and business participation in community and philanthropic organizations are all examples of how a caring culture may be presented
- There may be a cultural connection between the design and placement of the offices, with senior personnel having larger offices or cubicles that are the furthest away from the entrance.
The attitudes and behaviors of your coworkers are examples of the corporate culture that exists at your workplace.
Popular Culture
Popular culture is determined by the activities of the general public. A person’s popular culture may be defined by what they listen to, what they read, what they dress, and how they communicate with others.
- The most popular music in a culture may come from performers who have made it to the Billboard Top 100 or from the newest YouTube pop sensations. In addition, social media influencers can have an impact on which businesses are in demand as well as which activities or fashions are most popular. Best-selling novels, as well as famous films and television series, may have a significant impact on the attitudes and experiences of a culture’s citizens. The ability to quickly communicate and share ideas through social networking can be a valuable tool for people of all ages, races, interests, genders, and sexual orientations. Fashion trends may serve as a barometer for cultural trends. Casual clothing may indicate a more laid-back lifestyle, but rapidly changing fashion may reflect rapidly changing cultural trends. Language is a crucial tool for conveying popular culture experiences to others. To describe the contemporary culture, a variety of languages and slang terms can be used in conjunction.
Almost everything on this list is an example of popular culture.
Trends may shift in an instant; what is today’s pop culture craze could be yesterday’s news in the blink of an eye.
High Culture and Sophisticated Taste
In addition to the traditional definition of culture, which refers to the attitudes and beliefs held by an entire group of people, there is another definition of culture as well. This term is associated with high culture. In this context, possessing what has come to be characterized as refined taste in the fine arts or humanities is referred to as having “culture.” Examples of this type of culture include the following:
- An appreciation for opera
- A love of classical music
- Taking pleasure in the ballet
- Seeing and admiring art displays
- Reading excellent literature, particularly the classics
- And so on. Gourmet cuisine is something to be admired. superb wine knowledge and competence at a sophisticated level
It is sometimes referred to as “cultured” to describe those who have an appreciation for such things. Ironically, persons who enjoy this form of culture are more likely than others to be critical of popular culture. People who are perceived to be members of the so-called “cultural elite” may choose to distance themselves from popular culture or from what is believed to be standard practice in society.
Recognizing Examples of Culture
You may not consider yourself to be exposed to these many forms of culture on a daily basis, but you instinctively understand that certain attitudes, thoughts, and ideas exist when you visit a certain location, even if you do not think about it. In addition, you can detect the difference between other civilizations just by looking at them.
- You may not consider yourself to be exposed to these many forms of culture on a daily basis, but you instinctively understand that certain attitudes, sentiments, and ideas exist when you visit a certain location, whether or not you are aware of it. In addition, you can detect the difference between other civilizations just by looking at their faces.
Throughout your day you are exposed to a wide range of attitudes, feelings, ideas, and items that are all manifestations of culture. These examples are related to the form of culture that may be characterized simply as a group of people’s common attitudes, values, and beliefs.
Culture Shock
This form of culture is vital because it helps you learn how to think, act, and feel in a way that is acceptable to the majority of people in society. The reason for experiencing culture shock when you suddenly relocate to a new nation or begin interacting with a new group of individuals who have quite different attitudes and beliefs from those you are accustomed to is also explained.
Understanding Culture
It is critical to understand the various meanings and forms of culture that exist. When you consider various instances of culture, you gain a greater awareness of the world around you, as well as the ideas, beliefs, and values that you encounter on a daily basis. Investigate how slang impacts the English language in order to have a better understanding of culture and its impact. Reviewing this dictionary of major terminology in cultural anthropology can help you improve your abilities to discuss and explain cultures.
Culture Defined
It is critical to understand the many meanings and forms of cultures. Consider diverse instances of culture to have a greater knowledge of the world around you and of the ideas, beliefs, and values that you come into contact with on a regular basis. Investigate how slang impacts the English language to gain a better understanding of culture and its impact.
Review this dictionary of major terminology in cultural anthropology to improve your abilities to explain or define culture. To get the solution to the question of how to define one’s culture, one only has to look about them.
Culture: Everything, we as people, are.
Culture Specifically, according to Samovar and Porter (1994), culture refers to the accumulation of knowledge and experience over generations as well as beliefs, values and attitudes as well as meanings and hierarchies. Other aspects of culture include notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe, and material objects and possessions that have been acquired by a group of people through individual and group striving. According to Gudykunst and Kim (1992), culture is defined as the systems of knowledge that are shared by a reasonably significant number of individuals.
- Culture is a kind of communication, and communication is a form of culture (Edward T. Hall)
- (Edward T. Hall)
- Culture, in its broadest meaning, is cultivated behavior
- That is, it is the sum of a person’s learned, collected experience that is passed down through social transmission, or, to put it another way, it is conduct acquired through social learning. A culture is a way of life for a group of people-the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, typically without questioning them, and that are passed down from one generation to the next through communication and imitation.
- Culture is a means of communicating symbolically. Skills, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and motivations of a group are just a few of the symbols that may be used. When people grow up, they learn about symbols and consciously pass them on to their children through their schools and other institutions. Culture consists of patterns of and for behavior acquired and transmitted by symbols, which constitute the distinctive achievement of human groups, including their manifestations in artifacts
- The essential core of culture consists of traditional ideas and especially their attached values
- Culture systems may be considered on the one hand as products of action, and on the other hand as conditioning influences upon further action. In general, culture is defined as the sum total of the acquired behaviors of a group of people that are believed to be the tradition of that group of people and are passed down from generation to generation.
Students at a multicultural middle school responded with: “What we study and what we as individuals leave behind” “Love, belonging to something, a community,” they said. Life and children, how we treat children, and our communities are all important considerations. Our daily routines Our lives and times, our views, faiths, and values all play a role. People in general, they can’t help themselves; culture is simply what it is.