Defining Culture

D. Bambicwww.yourlearningcurve.com

1. Culture is Learned

•We learn everything about our culture from parents, peers, media and other socializing institutions.

•Includes values, attitudes, world views, language etc.

•Culture = perception

Culture - a brain shaper

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/08/culture-shapes/

What do you consider FOOD?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6419041.stm

2. Culture is Shared

Culture emerges from interaction, experiences and shared meaning

Shared Symbols

3. Culture is Transmitted

• literature

• stories -oral traditions in pre-literate societies

•media

• institutions

4. Culture is Cumulative

• Each generation changes, refines and defines culture. As societies evolve, these changes are passed (or not) down to the next generation.

•How has the computer changed us? What will the next generation be like?

5. Culture is Human

•While animals are social and live in groups with clearly defined behaviour....

They are not cultural.

Genetics allows us to use language but culture gives us a reason and

purpose to communicate across the generations, ages and epochs.

What has your culture taught you?

Would you still be yourself if you had been bornChinese?

or

The other sex?