Anthro "What is Culture?"

Identity

How someone sees themselves personally and how others see them in a social group.

Materiality

The importance of physical things or objects. How objects carry meaning, show values, or influence how people live and interact.

Ex: Traditional clothing - shows identity, status, & history

Power

A person’s or group’s capacity to influence, manipulate, or control others and resources.

Ideology

The ideas and manner of thinking characteristic of a group.

Globalization

Allowing your whole culture to adapt something completely from the main culture you live among

Ex: Amish will use a phone

Marriages

The socially recognized Union of two or more people

Taboo

Behavioral or ideas considered immoral or evil and therefore forbidden

Three components of culture

1. Material Objects

2. Ideas, Values, Attitudes

3. Behavioral Patterns

Enculturation

Adopting the culture after birth.

Ex: In Ghana, a baby is not given a name until they are seven days old. The baby is gradually introduced to cultural practices & meanings.

Subculture

Group of people within a larger culture who share their own unique beliefs, customs, and values that set them apart.

Ex: Hippies and Kpop fans

Cultural Adaptation

A way a group of people adjusts their behaviors, beliefs, or tools to survive and thrive.

Ex: Insulated clothing and irrigation systems for dry regions.

Maladaptive Adaptation

The adaptation is maladaptive = harmful to the culture or the people

Ex: - automobiles and overfarming

Five Components of Culture

1. A system to Keep Records (Egyptian hieroglyphics)

2. Technology (The Wheel)

3. Agriculture (Rice Farming in China)

4. Complex Institutions (Government, religion)

5. Specialized Workers (Farmers)