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The Concept of CultureLearning ObjectivesWhat are the fundamental notions shared by anthropologists regarding the concept of culture?What are cultural universals, generalities, and particularities?What is ethnocentrism?How do anthropologist define cultural relativism?What is Culture?An all-encompassing definition (by Edward Tylor, an early British anthropologist)“culture is that whole complex which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”Attributes of CultureCulture is learned, not genetically transmittedHow is culture learned?Taught directlyTransmitted through observationAbsorbed subconsciouslyEnculturation: a process of conscious and unconscious learning and internalizing a cultural tradition, which helps guide a person’s behavior and perceptions throughout his/her lifeCulture is symbolicHuman cultural learning depends on symbols- signs verbal or nonverbal that stands for something elseThe association between a symbol and what is symbolized is arbitrary (no necessary or natural connection to the things they signify) and conventional (followed and used by members of a society)Culture is sharedA singular personal trait is not culture; culture is an attribute of individuals as members of groupsCultural traits are shared at 3 levelsUniversal-exists in every cultureBiological: a long period of infant dependency; year-round sexuality; a complex brainSocial: life in groups and in some kind of family; incest tabooGenerality-exists in some but not all societiesNuclear family; soccer, EnglishParticularity- distinctive culture trait that is confined to a single place, social group, or societyCulture is integratedCultures are integrated, patterned systems. If one part changes, other parts change.Culture can be adaptive or maladaptiveHuman adapt biologically and culturallyMany modern cultural patterns may be maladaptive in the long run, that is, may threaten humans’ continued existenceHuman behavior determined by nature and cultureCulture takes natural biological urges and teaches us to express them in particular waysThe human capacity for culture has an evolutionary/biological basis. Humans are biocultural organisms.The relationship between culture and individualCulture shapes people’s behaviorHumans have agency- the actions that individuals take in transforming culture (Practice theory)Cultural Relativism- A Methodological Position Held by AnthropologistsCultural relativism: the notion that behavior should be evaluated not by outside standards but in the context of the culture it occursEthnocentrism: the tendency to view one’s own culture as superior and to use one’s own standards and values in judging outsidersWhy is cultural relativism just a methodological position, not a moral belief for anthropologists?To understand another culture objectively and fully, we must try to learn how the people in that culture see thingsSuch an approach does not preclude making moral judgement (e.g., anthropologists fight against violations of human rights).Human rights: rights based on justice and morality beyond and superior to particular countries cultures, and religionsVested in individualInalienable (no one an abridge or terminate them)International (superior to individual nations)Cultural rights: rights vested in religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous societiesVested in groups, instead of individualsInclude a group’s right to practice its language, culture, and religionAnthropologists support indigenous people’s cultural rights, but don’t approve cultural rights that interfere with human rights. ................
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