2.1: Defining Culture
- Page ID
- 188163
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Defining Culture in Multicultural Psychology
Patterns
Sharing
Learning and Enculturation
Cumulative
Transmission
Understanding Cultural Differences
Recognizing that culture is learned rather than innate helps explain conflicts between groups. Differences in cultural behaviors can lead to misunderstandings. For instance, younger individuals who frequently text during face-to-face conversations may not perceive this as rude, while older generations often do (Turkle, 2011).
Cultural Change and Adaptation
Culture is dynamic, evolving through interactions with individuals, media, and technology. Change occurs for two primary reasons: selective transmission and adaptation to new challenges. For example, a community facing food shortages may develop alternative agricultural methods. In cases of forced migration, cultural adaptation can be abrupt and traumatic. The displacement of Native American tribes in the United States led to significant cultural transformations as they adjusted to new environments and ways of life (Deloria, 1988).
Understanding culture as a conceptual tool rather than a fixed entity allows for greater flexibility in recognizing diversity and adaptation. Appreciating cultural learning empowers individuals to reflect on their biases and expand their perspectives, ultimately fostering cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
References
Berry, J. W. (2002). Cross-cultural psychology: Research and applications. Cambridge University Press.
Boyd, R., & Richerson, P. J. (2005). The origin and evolution of cultures. Oxford University Press.
Deloria, V. (1988). Custer died for your sins: An Indian manifesto. University of Oklahoma Press.
Greenfield, P. M. (2009). Technology and informal education: What is taught, what is learned. Science, 323(5910), 69-71.
Hofstede, G. (2001). Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. SAGE Publications.
Matsumoto, D., & Juang, L. (2016). Culture and psychology (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Matsumoto, D., Yoo, S. H., & Chung, U. (2010). The expression of anger across cultures. Emotion Review, 2(2), 136-143.
Rogoff, B. (2003). The cultural nature of human development. Oxford University Press.
Shweder, R. A. (2003). Why do men barbecue? Recipes for cultural psychology. Harvard University Press.
Triandis, H. C. (2007). Culture and psychology: A history of the study of their relationship. In S. Kitayama & D. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of cultural psychology (pp. 59-76). Guilford Press.
Turkle, S. (2011). Alone together: Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books.