6. Definition of CultureDefinition of Culture
“…“… is the totality of learned, socially transmittedis the totality of learned, socially transmitted
customs, knowledge, material objects andcustoms, knowledge, material objects and
behaviour.” Schaffer, RT (2003)behaviour.” Schaffer, RT (2003)
It is the allIt is the all learnedlearned customs, beliefs, values,customs, beliefs, values,
knowledge, artifacts, and symbols that areknowledge, artifacts, and symbols that are
constantly communicatedconstantly communicated among a set of peopleamong a set of people
who share a common way of life.who share a common way of life.
Tangible and intangible aspects: language, morality,Tangible and intangible aspects: language, morality,
dancing, books.dancing, books.
7. Definition of cultureDefinition of culture
Sir Edward Tyler in his book ‘PrimitiveSir Edward Tyler in his book ‘Primitive
Culture’ defined it “Culture is thatCulture’ defined it “Culture is that
complex whole which includes knowledge,complex whole which includes knowledge,
belief, art, morals, law, custom and anybelief, art, morals, law, custom and any
other capabilities and habits acquired byother capabilities and habits acquired by
man as a members of society.”man as a members of society.”
8. Features of CultureFeatures of Culture
Socially learnt, not biologically inherited.Socially learnt, not biologically inherited.
Develops through shared social interactions.Develops through shared social interactions.
Transmitted between generations: language.Transmitted between generations: language.
Cumulative: “social heritage”.Cumulative: “social heritage”.
Dynamic & Adaptive: responsive to changes inDynamic & Adaptive: responsive to changes in
social and physical world.social and physical world.
Varies from society to society: cultural diversity.Varies from society to society: cultural diversity.
9. Culture vs. SocietyCulture vs. Society
Culture refers to things
that a given group of
people have created
and to which they
attach similar meaning.
People use culture to
guide and give
meaning to their social
relations.
Society refers to
network of social
relationships among
those who share a
common culture.
Culture is the product
of people interacting in
a social system.
10. Elements ofElements of
Culture:Culture:
a. Materiala. Material
CultureCulture
Consists of all the physical objects orConsists of all the physical objects or
artifacts that people make and attach meaningartifacts that people make and attach meaning
to.to.
Technology is an important source ofTechnology is an important source of
material culture.material culture.
E.g. TV, machine gun,E.g. TV, machine gun,
banks, mosque, flag.banks, mosque, flag.
11. b. Non-material Cultureb. Non-material Culture
Ways of utilizing material objects, as well asWays of utilizing material objects, as well as
customs, beliefs, philosophies, governments, andcustoms, beliefs, philosophies, governments, and
patterns of communication.patterns of communication.
Internal beliefs people hold,Internal beliefs people hold,
language they speak, ritualslanguage they speak, rituals
and practices they observe,and practices they observe,
ways of acting etc.ways of acting etc.
More resistant to change than material culture.More resistant to change than material culture.
12. Culture Lag
period of maladjustment when nonmaterial
culture is still struggling to adapt to new
material conditions
Does Cultural lag resist social change?
13. Development of
Culture
Around the World
Innovation:
Process of introducing new idea or object
to a culture
Discovery: making known or sharing
existence of an aspect of reality
Invention: when existing cultural items
are combined into a form that did not
exist before
14. Development of
Culture
Around the World
Globalization, Diffusion, and Technology
Diffusion: process by which a cultural
item spreads from group to group or
society to society
McDonalization: process through which
the principles of the fast-food industry
have come to dominate certain sectors of
society
15. Culture and the
Dominant Ideology
Dominant Ideology:
Describes the set of cultural beliefs and
practices that help to maintain powerful
social, economic, and political interests
16. Cultural Variation
Aspects of Cultural Variation
Each culture has unique character
Subculture: Segment of society that shares
distinctive pattern of mores, folkways, and
values that differs from the larger society
Argot: specialized language that distinguishes
a subculture from the wider society
17. Dominant Culture &Dominant Culture &
SubculturesSubcultures
Dominant cultureDominant culture is the cultureis the culture
practiced by the majority in a grouppracticed by the majority in a group
When perspective and life-style of certainWhen perspective and life-style of certain
subordinatesubordinate group differ significantly fromgroup differ significantly from
the dominant culture and when theythe dominant culture and when they
identify themselves as different they areidentify themselves as different they are
said to form asaid to form a subculturesubculture
18. Cultural Variation
Aspects of Cultural Variation
Counterculture: subculture that
conspicuously and deliberately opposes
certain aspects of the larger culture
Hippies
Terrorist cells
19. Cultural Variation
Aspects of Cultural Variation
Culture shock: Feeling disoriented,
uncertain, out of place, or fearful when
immersed in an unfamiliar culture
20. Cultural Variation
• Aspects of Cultural Variation
Ethnocentrism: Tendency to assume
that one’s own culture and way of life
represent the norm or is superior to all
others
Cultural relativism: people’s behaviors
from the perspective of their own culture
22. LanguageLanguage
It is an abstract system of word meanings andIt is an abstract system of word meanings and
symbols for all aspects of culture.symbols for all aspects of culture.
Foundation of every culture.Foundation of every culture.
Culturally determined universal. LanguageCulturally determined universal. Language
precedes thought.precedes thought.
Non-verbal communication: gestures.Non-verbal communication: gestures.