Overview
This lecture presents key definitions and perspectives on "culture" from CARLA and several scholars, highlighting its shared, learned, and symbolic nature.
CARLA’s Definition of Culture
- Culture is shared patterns of behavior, interactions, thoughts, and emotions learned by socialization.
- These patterns define group identity and distinguish groups from each other.
Scholarly Definitions of Culture
- Culture consists of non-physical elements: values, symbols, interpretations, and perspectives (Banks).
- Culture is learned and shared patterns for day-to-day living that shape social interaction (Damen).
- Culture acts as collective mental programming, setting groups apart (Hofstede).
- Culture includes all historically created ways of living, both explicit and implicit, guiding behavior (Kluckhohn & Kelly).
- Culture is comprised of explicit/implicit patterns of behavior, symbols, values, and artifacts, both results of action and influences on further action (Kroeber & Kluckhohn).
- Culture is the shared knowledge and frameworks for interpreting and responding to social realities (Lederach).
- Culture forms from learned behaviors and their results, shared and passed on by a society (Linton).
- Culture encompasses behavior patterns and products of human action transmitted independently of genetics (Parson).
- Culture is most simply defined as learned and shared behavior among interacting humans (Useem & Useem).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Culture — Shared and learned patterns of behavior, values, and meanings that distinguish social groups.
- Socialization — The process through which individuals learn and internalize the values and behaviors of their culture.
- Symbols — Objects, gestures, or concepts with particular meanings within a culture.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and compare the listed definitions to understand common elements and differences.
- Reflect on how culture shapes identity and group interactions for future discussions.