Introduction to Introduction to Cultural Cultural

AnthropologyAnthropologyCulture as a Central ConceptCulture as a Central Concept

Culture: Anthropology’s Culture: Anthropology’s Main ConceptMain Concept

Culture is a social Culture is a social heritage, transmitted heritage, transmitted from one generation to from one generation to another. It consists of another. It consists of the sum total of skill, the sum total of skill, beliefs, knowledge and beliefs, knowledge and products that are products that are commonly shared by a commonly shared by a number of people and number of people and transmitted to their transmitted to their children. children. (Dressler) (Dressler)

CLASSIFICATION OF CLASSIFICATION OF CULTURE CULTURE

StaticStatic emphasize in cultural transmission; emphasize in cultural transmission; culture is passed on from generation culture is passed on from generation

to generation.to generation.

DynamicDynamic emphasize in cultural change; it goes emphasize in cultural change; it goes

thru revision with each generation.thru revision with each generation.

FORMS OF CULTUREFORMS OF CULTURE Material cultureMaterial culture – material culture – material culture

consists of tangible things like houses, consists of tangible things like houses, clothing, tools and utensils etc.clothing, tools and utensils etc.

Non-material cultureNon-material culture – refers to what – refers to what is symbolic or intangible.is symbolic or intangible.

Folkways – traditional ways of doing thingsFolkways – traditional ways of doing things Mores – are heavily sanctioned folkways for Mores – are heavily sanctioned folkways for

group survival and are accepted without group survival and are accepted without question as they embody moral views of the question as they embody moral views of the group.group.

Customs – means habitual practiceCustoms – means habitual practice Beliefs – means viewpoint, way of lifeBeliefs – means viewpoint, way of life

Concept of CultureConcept of Culture

All cultures have at least five All cultures have at least five characteristics in common: characteristics in common:

Culture is learnedCulture is learned Culture is based on symbolsCulture is based on symbols Culture is sharedCulture is shared Culture is patterned or integratedCulture is patterned or integrated Culture is usually adaptiveCulture is usually adaptive

Culture is LearnedCulture is Learned

All we do, say, or believe All we do, say, or believe is learned. is learned.

Enculturation:Enculturation: learning learning the ways of a culture the ways of a culture Yanomamo boys learning to Yanomamo boys learning to

hunt by shooting a lizardhunt by shooting a lizard

Culture is Acquired Culture is Acquired Through SymbolsThrough Symbols

Culture is learned through Culture is learned through languagelanguage

Babies learn language from Babies learn language from birth:birth:

Through language they Through language they acquire cultureacquire culture

Language is based on Language is based on symbolssymbols

Their capacity for language Their capacity for language is inheritedis inherited

But not theirBut not their own own language. language.

What is a Symbol?What is a Symbol?

Object or event that is intrinsically Object or event that is intrinsically unrelated to another thing or event to unrelated to another thing or event to which it refers. which it refers.

Culture is SharedCulture is Shared

A group with common A group with common language and custom language and custom shares a cultureshares a culture

They may comprise They may comprise nation of millionsnation of millions

Culture is Culture is Patterned/IntegratedPatterned/Integrated

One aspect of culture reflects One aspect of culture reflects other aspectsother aspects

They all fit into a pattern as a They all fit into a pattern as a wholewhole

Examples of integrationExamples of integration Extreme example: Extreme example:

Teotihuacan’s pyramid (upper) Teotihuacan’s pyramid (upper) probably weren’t built by probably weren’t built by

tribesmen like these Kawelkatribesmen like these Kawelka But pig feasts did fit in with But pig feasts did fit in with

Kawelka tribal culture. How?Kawelka tribal culture. How?

Culture is Generally Culture is Generally AdaptiveAdaptive

Technology generally reflects Technology generally reflects features of environmentfeatures of environment

Settled communities: usually Settled communities: usually indicate stable food supply, indicate stable food supply,

Such as the Aztec chinampas Such as the Aztec chinampas (raised platforms)(raised platforms)

Grasslands are best for Grasslands are best for pastoralism,pastoralism,

Such as this Mongolian campSuch as this Mongolian camp Cultures can become poorly Cultures can become poorly

adapted during rapid changeadapted during rapid change

FUNCTIONS OF FUNCTIONS OF CULTURECULTURE

Culture makes communication Culture makes communication possible by means of a possible by means of a language language

Culture provides standards for Culture provides standards for differentiating right and differentiating right and wrong.wrong.

Culture provides the Culture provides the knowledge and skills needed knowledge and skills needed for survivalfor survival

Culture helps people identify Culture helps people identify with others and make them with others and make them feel a sense of belonging. feel a sense of belonging.

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