Lección 6

Understanding Culture

Defining Culture

• The concept of culture is complex; asking 100 people may yield 100 different definitions. Clifford Geertz defines it as a pattern of historically transmitted meanings expressed in symbols used for communication.

• Symbols are not just images; they can be anything that conveys meaning, including gestures, physical objects, or words. For example, the word "cat" symbolizes a small furry creature.

• A broader definition from a conference in Lausanne (1978) describes culture as the way people do things together and includes integrated systems of beliefs about reality, values, customs, and institutions that shape society.

Components of Culture

• Institutions such as governments, schools, and churches express cultural beliefs and values while providing identity and continuity to society.

• Herbert's definition emphasizes culture as an integrated system of beliefs, feelings, values, symbols associated with behavior patterns shared by a group.

Cultural Framework

• Heaselgrave’s model illustrates how biology and cosmology influence values which then shape institutions like marriage and education leading to observable behaviors or artifacts.

• For Christians who believe in the Bible, their worldview influences their values regarding human worth and societal laws against racism and hate crimes.

Observable Behaviors

• Observable behaviors stem from cultural values; for instance, marriage is valued within Christianity leading to legal recognition through wedding rings or certificates.

Layers of Human Universals

Understanding Cultural Layers

Universal Human Needs and Relationships

• The speaker discusses the fundamental human needs for relationships and learning, emphasizing that these traits are universally shared across cultures.

• Highlights the first layer of culture, which encompasses common human characteristics regardless of geographical location.

Ethnolinguistic and National Values

• The second layer focuses on ethnolinguistic details, national values, and cultural worldviews that individuals identify with.

• These cultural rules help people satisfy their universal needs within specific contexts.

Subcultures Within Larger Cultures

• The third layer acknowledges the existence of subcultures within broader social or national environments.

• Much research in intercultural communication emphasizes understanding these layers to grasp cultural dynamics better.

Individuality Amidst Collectivism

• Despite belonging to collective cultures, individuals maintain unique identities and personal histories.

• Each person applies their cultural rules differently based on their unique genetic makeup and experiences.

North American Cultural Proximity

• The speaker suggests that Canada and the U.S. share closer cultural ties compared to Mexico, which is perceived as more distant culturally.