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Culture Documents
Culture: by DR Utpal Sharma Demonstrator Deptt. of Community Medicine, FAAMCH
Culture: by DR Utpal Sharma Demonstrator Deptt. of Community Medicine, FAAMCH
By
Dr Utpal Sharma
Demonstrator
Deptt. Of Community Medicine, FAAMCH
Introduction
Culture is one of the most important concepts in social sciences.
Although culture and society are closely related concepts that can never
be wholly separated.
Simplified….
Culture comes from the Latin word "colere",meaning
to build on, to cultivate, to foster.
Culture is the unique quality of man which separates him from the lower animals.
Complexes
Traits combine to form “Cultural Complexes” e.g. Dance group consists of
dancers, choreographers, production house, manager, audience etc.
Pattern
Society provides the context within which our relationships with the
external world develop
Language helps not only the transmission of knowledge but also its
preservation, accumulation and diffusion.
Cont…
Culture not only controls but also liberates human, energy and activities.
Culture is learnt
It is not an inborn tendency but learnt socially by man.
Unlearned behavior such as closing the eyes while sleeping, the eye blinking
reflex and so on, are purely physiological and not cultural.
E.g. Shaking hands or saying “namaskar” or “thanks” on the other hand, are
cultural.
Culture is social
Culture does not exist in isolation neither is an individual phenomenon.
It is a product of society and originates and develops through social interactions.
No man can acquire culture without association with other human beings.
It is the culture which helps man to develop human qualities in a human
environment.
Cont…
Culture is shared
Culture in the sociological sense, is something shared.
It is not something that an individual alone can possess e.g. customs, traditions,
beliefs, ideas, values, morals etc. are all shared by people of a group or society.
Culture is something adopted, used, believed, practiced or possessed by more
than one person. It depends upon group life for its existence.
Culture is transmissive
Culture is transmitted not through genes but by means of language through
generations.
Language in its different forms like reading and writing is the main vehicle of
culture.
But language itself is a part a culture. Once language is acquired, transmission of
culture may take place by imitation as well as by instruction.
Cont…
Culture is gratifying
Culture provides proper opportunities and prescribes means for the
satisfaction of our needs and desires.
These needs may be biological or social in nature.
Culture determines and guides the varied activities of man
Physical aspects of a culture help to define its members' behaviors and perceptions.
Intangible products created and shared between the members of a culture over time
E.g. Social roles, rules, ethics, and beliefs
Crucial guides for members of a culture to use to know how to behave in their society
and interpret the world.
Components of Culture
Values
These are ideas about what is “right” and what is “wrong”
They are standards that people use to decide what is desirable, good, and
beautiful and that serve as broad guidelines for social living.
Values differs from society to society as every social order chooses what
to be valued and what not
E.g. our value system gives more importance to religion, concern for
others etc. while in western world success, achievements are given more
importance
Cont….
Norms
These are social rules which dictates correct and appropriate
behavior in the society
Folkways
Customary ways of behavior
Mores
Standards of behavior which influences the moral conduct of
the people conformity to mass
Associated with moral vales and is more vital (security) of society than
folkways
Society considers compliance with mores more important for its welfare
and maintenance of order
Customary ways of behavior Socially accepted behavior that involves moral values
Folkways changes more rapidly More deep rooted and change less rapidly
Sanction on violations are lenient Sanctions on violation are more strong/ strict
Vary from society to society e.g. ways of Being related to moral values, mores shows less variation
greeting differs in Hindus and Muslims between societies e.g. stealing is prohibited in all societies
Less likely to be converted into law Mores often forms basis of laws e.g. Dowry act
Role or functions of culture
Cultural universality
Some aspect of culture are universal e.g. family as basic unit of society is
present in all cultures
Counter culture
It is subculture that tries to oppose or reject many aspect of dominant
culture e.g. Hippy culture
Cont…
Subculture
In each culture, we have subcultures e.g. youth culture, working group
culture
Acculturation
Acculturation means cultural contact
When there is contact between people of different cultures a diffusion of
cultures occurs in both ways
Promoters of cultural contact are:
Transport and communication
Trade and commerce
Tourism, media and education
Propagation of religion
Thank you