Culture

This presentation introduces

students to the anthropological
definition and use of the concept
of culture. It focuses on all of the
aspects of culture and concludes
with a discussion of culture
change.
Introduction

Tylor's definition of culture:

complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, arts,
morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of society.
Ralph definition of culture:
According Ralph Linton culture is define as the way of life
of its members; the collection of ideas and habits which
they learn, share and transmit from generation to
generation
Culture Is Learned
Culturallearning is the accumulation of
knowledge about experiences and
information not perceived directly by the
organism, but transmitted to it through
symbols.
Culture is learned through both direct
instruction and observation (both conscious
and unconscious).
Culture Is Shared

Culture is located and transmitted in groups.

The social transmission of culture tends to unify people
by providing us with a common experience.
The commonalty of experience in turn tends to
generate a common understanding of future events.
Culture Is Integrated

A culture is a system: changes in one aspect will likely

generate changes in other aspects.
Core values are sets of ideas, attitudes, and beliefs that
are basic in that they provide an organizational logic for
the rest of the culture.
What is cultural change?

Cultural change is define as the modification of a

society through innovation, invention, discovery, or
contact with other societies.
There are several drivers of cultural change which
includes:
Invention
Discovery
Diffusion
Invention
According to Linton invention is a new application of
knowledge, making a theory, predicting future events and
presenting new social laws are the social inventions.
Inventions are called primary by involving the discovery of a
new principle.
An example of invention: An invention that substantially
changed culture was the development of the
birthcontrolpill, which changed women's attitudes
towardsex. Prior to the introduction of the birth control pill,
women were at a high risk of pregnancy as a result of sex.
After the introduction of the pill, their risk of pregnancy was
substantially reduced, increasing their willingness to engage
in sexual activity outside of wedlock.
Discovery

it is a shared human perception of an aspect of reality

which already exists. In order words it is the noticing of
something to which no attention was previously paid,
although it existed. according to Linton defines it as
additional knowledge
Examples of discovery includes:
The custom of marriage and ceremonies of worship.
Diffusion

This refers to the spread of a cultural trait, ideas or behavior

from one society to another. Elements of culture are taken up
first, by societies, which are close to their points of origin and
later by the societies which are more remote or which have
less direct contact, is the principle of diffusion pointed by
Linton.

Some examples of diffusion of cultural traits includes:

Acculturation: is a process in which members of one cultural
group adopt the beliefs and behaviours of another group.
Assimilation: the process of adapting or adjusting to the
culture of a group or nation, or the state of being so adapted
Globalization impact diffusion
Cultural diffusion, the spreading of ideas,
styles, languages religions, technologies, etc.
contributes to globalization by creating
demand for the spreading culture's products
abroad.
It also opens up new markets for those
products and may reduce issues with language
and cultural barriers that would have
previously made it more difficult to trade with
various remote or isolated countries.
Globalization impact Discovery
and inventions
Discovery and invention have been primary
sources of culture change. Yet only when a
society accepts an invention or discovery
and uses it regularly can culture change be
said to have occurred.
The discovery and inventions of tools such
as a simple knife that is used across the
world that is useful for cutting carving and
hunting etc.
Influence of Technology and
inventions on Cultural change
Society has always been impacted by technology.
Each invention has affected how people relate to
one another and how cultures have expanded or
ended. Technology impacts how cities grow, where
people live, and who owns what.
People discover a language so they could
communicate and learn from elders through their
stories. Public transportation changed when the
automobile became part of every family.
Television shows replaced dinner conversations.
The Internet and mobile technology are changing
the way people interact, work, and learn.
Influence of Technology and
Diffusion on Cultural change
New technologies around the world, such as
computers, the internet, transportation, and
scientific technologies, have a big impact on how
people live in every area of the world. Now more
than ever, people have used technologies, such
as laptops, I-pads, smart phones, and Tablets, as
a communication device and change the idea of
socialization forever.
Conclusion

Cultures are always

changing. Because cultures
consist of learned patterns of
behavior and belief, cultural
traits can be unlearned and
learned anew as human
needs change.