Chapter 2: What is Culture?

The answer is most likely yes, and this is true for many other aspects of society besides school. To thrive in a globalized world, we must understand each other’s cultures. Culture is the human-made part of the human environment and is the sum of total knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, laws, customs, and other capabilities and habits acquired by humans as members of Clove society. Another important concept revealed from anthropological studies regarding culture is ‘ethnocentrism’, which gave birth to the concept of cultural relativism. One of the basic human tendencies is to consider their cultures as superior to others.

• It’s always a mystery what comes up, there’s the culture of yogurt, there’s a culture of ants, and there’s a culture of humanity.
• Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do.
• All of the Siberian rivers freeze over in the winter, and some freeze to the bottom.
• Understanding these historical milestones not only enriches our knowledge but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the cultural tapestry of South Asia.
• These cases will be discussed below inthe section focused on cultural preservation.

Culture is Dynamic

The island nation sits off the coast of India in the Indian Ocean and is spread between 1,192 islands grouped into 26 atolls that are home to only half a million people. Bhutan’s modest economy is based on forestry, agriculture, and hydropower. While most other nations measure growth in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or Gross National Income (GNI), Bhutan measures success and directs growth using Gross National Happiness (GNH) indexing.

culture

Culture consists of the intellectual, artistic, and social ideals and institutions that the members of society profess and strive to confirm. The essential core of culture consists of traditional (i.e., historically derived and selected) ideas, especially their attached values. Thus, according to the above definition, culture is the conditioning elements of behavior and its products. As a result, the cultural patterns that consumers learn to influence their ideas and values, the roles they play, how they carry those roles out, and how their needs and desires are handled.

While Pakistan and Iran are both Islamic republics, each represents a significant branch of that faith; Iran is predominantly Shia, and Pakistan is mostly Sunni. Religious differences are also evident on the eastern border of the realm, where Bangladesh and India share a border with Myanmar. Bangladesh is mainly a Muslim country, while most in India align themselves with Hinduism.

Though one naturally wants to avoid unintended symbolic messages, symbolism can enhance product appeal if used correctly. The second important aspect relating to culture is that we learn it through experiences and interactions. Although not as deeply embedded or fundamental as central values, our peripheral values reflect our central ones. You may value regular exercise and a low-salt, low-cholesterol diet if you value your health. You may also abstain from smoking cigarettes and drinking alcoholic beverages. From the premise given above, it is now quite evident that studying the market’s culture where you operate or plan to operate is vital for your success and even existence.

Indonesia, despite large-scale conversion to Islam which opposes certain forms of art, has retained many forms of Hindu-influenced practices, culture, art, and literature. An example is the wayang kulit (shadow puppet) and literature like the Ramayana. The wayang kulit show has been recognised by UNESCO on 7 November 2003 as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Stilt houses can be found all over Southeast Asia, from Thailand and Vietnam to Borneo, to Luzon in the Philippines, to Papua New Guinea.

Stephanie completed her studies at Boston College in Psychology with a particular focus in Biological Psychology. She is interested in how people can improve their wellbeing by connecting to themselves and their communities. Stephanie served as chair of her local cultural council for years whose mission was to expand access, improve education, and encourage excellence in the arts, humanities, and interpretative sciences. Stephanie currently works in data analytics at the Boston Symphony Orchestra and in her free time enjoys music, bakeries, running, and gardening. Personal values mirror the individual’s choices made from the variety of social values to which that individual gets exposed.