2. Culture: Anthropology’s MainCulture: Anthropology’s Main
ConceptConcept
• Culture is a social heritage,Culture is a social heritage,
transmitted from onetransmitted from one
generation to another. Itgeneration to another. It
consists of the sum total ofconsists of the sum total of
skill, beliefs, knowledge andskill, beliefs, knowledge and
products that are commonlyproducts that are commonly
shared by a number of peopleshared by a number of people
and transmitted to theirand transmitted to their
children.children. (Dressler)(Dressler)
3. CLASSIFICATION OF CULTURECLASSIFICATION OF CULTURE
StaticStatic
emphasize in cultural transmission;emphasize in cultural transmission;
culture is passed on from generation to generation.culture is passed on from generation to generation.
DynamicDynamic
emphasize in cultural change; it goes thru revisionemphasize in cultural change; it goes thru revision
with each generation.with each generation.
4. FORMS OF CULTUREFORMS OF CULTURE
Material cultureMaterial culture – material culture consists of– material culture consists of
tangible things like houses, clothing, tools and utensilstangible things like houses, clothing, tools and utensils
etc.etc.
Non-material cultureNon-material culture – refers to what is symbolic or– refers to what is symbolic or
intangible.intangible.
Folkways – traditional ways of doing thingsFolkways – traditional ways of doing things
Mores – are heavily sanctioned folkways for group survivalMores – are heavily sanctioned folkways for group survival
and are accepted without question as they embody moraland are accepted without question as they embody moral
views of the group.views of the group.
Customs – means habitual practiceCustoms – means habitual practice
Beliefs – means viewpoint, way of lifeBeliefs – means viewpoint, way of life
5. Concept of CultureConcept of Culture
All cultures have at least five characteristics inAll cultures have at least five characteristics in
common:common:
Culture is learnedCulture is learned
Culture is based on symbolsCulture is based on symbols
Culture is sharedCulture is shared
Culture is patterned or integratedCulture is patterned or integrated
Culture is usually adaptiveCulture is usually adaptive
6. Culture is LearnedCulture is Learned
All we do, say, or believe isAll we do, say, or believe is
learned.learned.
Enculturation:Enculturation: learning the wayslearning the ways
of a cultureof a culture
Yanomamo boys learning to hunt byYanomamo boys learning to hunt by
shooting a lizardshooting a lizard
7. Culture is Acquired ThroughCulture is Acquired Through
SymbolsSymbols
Culture is learned throughCulture is learned through
languagelanguage
Babies learn language from birth:Babies learn language from birth:
Through language they acquireThrough language they acquire
cultureculture
Language is based onLanguage is based on symbolssymbols
Their capacity for language isTheir capacity for language is
inheritedinherited
But not theirBut not their ownown language.language.
8. What is a Symbol?What is a Symbol?
Object or event that is intrinsically unrelated toObject or event that is intrinsically unrelated to
another thing or event to which it refers.another thing or event to which it refers.
9. Culture is SharedCulture is Shared
A group with commonA group with common
language and custom shares alanguage and custom shares a
cultureculture
They may comprise nation ofThey may comprise nation of
millionsmillions
10. Culture is Patterned/IntegratedCulture is Patterned/Integrated
One aspect of culture reflectsOne aspect of culture reflects
other aspectsother aspects
They all fit into a pattern as aThey all fit into a pattern as a
wholewhole
Examples of integrationExamples of integration
Extreme example: Teotihuacan’sExtreme example: Teotihuacan’s
pyramid (upper)pyramid (upper)
probably weren’t built byprobably weren’t built by
tribesmen like these Kawelkatribesmen like these Kawelka
But pig feasts did fit in withBut pig feasts did fit in with
Kawelka tribal culture. How?Kawelka tribal culture. How?
11. Culture is Generally AdaptiveCulture is Generally Adaptive
Technology generally reflectsTechnology generally reflects
features of environmentfeatures of environment
Settled communities: usuallySettled communities: usually
indicate stable food supply,indicate stable food supply,
Such as the Aztec chinampasSuch as the Aztec chinampas
(raised platforms)(raised platforms)
Grasslands are best forGrasslands are best for
pastoralism,pastoralism,
Such as this Mongolian campSuch as this Mongolian camp
Cultures can become poorlyCultures can become poorly
adapted during rapid changeadapted during rapid change
12. FUNCTIONS OF CULTUREFUNCTIONS OF CULTURE
Culture makes communicationCulture makes communication
possible by means of a languagepossible by means of a language
Culture provides standards forCulture provides standards for
differentiating right and wrong.differentiating right and wrong.
Culture provides the knowledgeCulture provides the knowledge
and skills needed for survivaland skills needed for survival
Culture helps people identifyCulture helps people identify
with others and make them feel awith others and make them feel a
sense of belonging.sense of belonging.
13. To download this file, go to:To download this file, go to:
http://www.slideshare.net/ArnelSSIhttp://www.slideshare.net/ArnelSSI