EDU 3106 CULTURE AND LEARNING

Understanding the identity of a nation is important in the process of strengthening and enhancing the relationship between various ethnic groups in a society. Misunderstandings about the identity of the nation would create prejudice, stereotypes and ethnocentric that would eventually cause social discrimination.

Social integration is a process of uniting various groups through joint identity by eliminating the communitys differences and identity. Integration will occur when the members of a society are able to accept its other members without regarding their identity and origin.

Integration also involves assimilation.

Assimilation is the process when the minority group loses their identity and are absorbed by the dominant group in terms of culture and social.
Cultural

Two types of assimilation

Structural

Cultural assimilation is the process by which the minority group learns the cultural characteristics of the local community to be applied in their daily life.
Example: dressing style, language and customs

Structural assimilation is the process where minority groups successfully join the principal institutions and social activities in the dominant community. Integration also involves acculturation which is a process where changes and borrowing of cultural elements occur.
Example: using same language so that the social interaction would not be affected by the differences between the groups.

Integration might also include amalgamation which is the process of uniting biologically different ethnic groups. In this process, all cultural entities of various groups are mixed through intermarriage which creates a new race. This can only happen if the dominant groups allow and encourage the minority groups to do so. Minority groups cannot be forced.

Generally, Nation is a group of people who are considered to have a common identity, same language, religion, ideology and culture. Considered to have the same origin and descent. Each race has its own identity
Example: Malays with their Malay culture, Chinese with their Chinese culture and Indians with their Indian culture.

A tool or a manifestation of culture used by humans to communicate or contact each other, in terms of writing, orally, or motion (sign language) in order to convey their desire to others Enable humans to adapt themselves to the customs, behaviours and societal rules Easier to get used with all kinds of people

Has a number of functions that can be divided into general functions and specific functions. General Functions
Tool to communicate Tool to make integration To make social adaptation

Specific Functions
To engage in day-to-day interactions Create art (literature) To learn the old manuscripts Exploit knowledge and technology

The symbols in the language of a society might be identical but usually are different. Important factor in fostering unity among the various races in Malaysia.

In Malaysia, Malay language is the official language. Article 152 of the Malaysian Constitution provides Malay language as the national language and the official language of Malaysia. Malay language became a tool of unity among Malaysians who are of various races and cultures.

Social structure is the arrangement of the basic social elements of a society, such as the group, social class, values and social norms, and social institutions.

There are two ways to analyse social structure a) Descent/caste, education level, wealth and age. This division is named social stratification (different levels).

In Malaysian context, social structure can be seen more on the level of education, wealth and age.

b) Ethnicity, race, class/group, family type, religion and so on. This distribution is named social difference (The difference of functions and custom).

Status is the important element in social stratification.

Status is the position of a person or group in the social structure of a society or a particular pattern of social relations.

Status is obtained in three ways. a) Acquired since birth (ascribed status) b) Is given for the services (assigned status) c) For the performances and cause (achieved status)

Custom is the rules, law, norms that are upheld by the community groups. In old Malay language, custom refers to the legal or customary law which include social, political, economic and even ocean law. Rules that have been practiced for generations in a community until it has become a customary law or rule that has to be obeyed.

A common way that is inherited in a society. Custom includes all aspects beginning from birth, marriage until death. A common way of life practiced by a particular community that illustrates the communitys cultural pattern.

The customs of the society in Malaysia are based on the following community: Malay customs Chinese customs Indians customs Customs of the ethnic communities in Sabah Customs of the ethnics communities in Sarawak Customs of the aborigines

a) b) c) d) e) f)

1) 2) 3) 4)

5)
6)

Malay communitys customs Chinese communitys customs Indian communitys customs Iban communitys customs Kadazan communitys customs Aborigines customs

Comprise three big groups

Negrito Senoi Original Malay (Proto Malay/ Melayu Proto)

Gender role differences that arise based on social and cultural characteristics can be changed through learning process or education. Example, women work in the house (do housework) while men work outside house.

Belief means accepting the truth about something. Normally when a person believes something, they will have a feeling of sure or surety towards it.