Definiton of Culture

UNIVERSITY OF CALDAS
MODERN LANGUAGES PROGRAM

ANGLO-SAXON CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION
DEFINITION OF CULTURE
“Culture is a way of life. Culture is the context within which we exist, think, feel and relate to
others” (Brown 1987)
“…Culture may be the total way of life of a people.

… Culture consists of a people’s beliefs, institutions and technology.
… Culture is the man-made part of the environment”. (Melville J. Herkovits)
As a conclusion, culture is an all encompassing concept that identifies not only the mosaic of
a life styles of people, but also their overriding values and beliefs.
MATERIAL AND NON MATERIAL CULTURE: The term material culture conjures up
tools, buildings, boats, wagons and the like. The term non- material culture is thought to refer
to only values and beliefs, knowledge and ideas. Some sociologists include into this category
some objects but not the objects themselves, the definition of them and the values that are
placed upon them, culture lies within the meaning of the object.
Culture does not explain all behavior. It does greatly influence behavior, but some other
variables should be considered as well: an individual’s personality, age, gender, economic and
educational levels, life experiences, relationships and specific situations.
It is best not to overemphasize on cultural differences and cultural similarities. Those who
say: “We are all alike; we’re all human” deny the shape and flavor that cultures contribute to
individual development. Those who say: “We’re so different that we must stay separate”
create harmful barriers by closing their eyes to what is common to every human being.
ENCULTURATION: It is described as the slow and day – to – day process of learning your
group’s culture as an infant and a child.
ACCULTURATION: The process of becoming adapted to a new culture. A re-orientation of

thinking and feeling. This term is closely related to CULTURE SHOCK (the response that an
individual may have in a new country).
STAGES OF ACCULTURATION:
a. Excitement and euphoria

b. Culture Shock (may be positive or negative)
c. Culture stress (anomie may appear)
d. Near or full recovery, either assimilation or adaptation.
The following are some quotes from people living or visiting the United States. Identify the
stages they are experiencing in the acculturation process.
 “Frankly speaking, I do not feel that there are many pleasures for me in the United
States right now. I am still seriously homesick, but I am getting better. I am starting to
adjust myself into this culture”.________
 “My feelings about living in a new country are quite complicated, but I can put them
in a word: marvelous. Everything seems wonderful and fresh to me, you can never tell
what will happen the next minute”._________
 “When I arrived in this country I could only say, “thank you” and “good bye”. In spite
of that, I had to get an apartment. My situation was miserable; people spoke too fast
and acted weird sometimes. Now I feel o.k and things go in a normal way”. _____
CULTURAL RELATIVISM: respect, tolerance and understanding towards all cultures

equally.
GLOBAL CULTURE: this one happens when different societies exchange and share culture.
Example: cars, telephones, television, computer networks.
CARGO CULTS: These are given when people focus their time and energy trying to acquire
commercial goods, these phenomenon may end up in Dominant Cultures.
GENERALIZATION: a statement describing general behavior that does not apply all the
time.
STEREOTYPE: an exaggerated belief about a group often based on a lack of information or

contact with members of that group. Brown defines stereotype as “a category that singles out
an individual as sharing assumed characteristics on the basis of his or her group membership”
Now, complete each of the following statements with the first idea that comes to your mind:
 Many politicians are ___________________________________________________

 Many rich people are___________________________________________________
 Many women are_______________________________________________________
 Many men are _________________________________________________________
 Many successful business people are _______________________________________
The difference between a generalization and a stereotype is not always easy to understand. If
generalizations are rigid (allowing for no individuality and often encouraging critical or
negative judgment) they become stereotypes.

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UNIVERSITY OF CALDAS

MODERN LANGUAGES PROGRAM

“…Culture may be the total way of life of a people.

ACCULTURATION: The process of becoming adapted to a new culture. A re-orientation of

a. Excitement and euphoria

CULTURAL RELATIVISM: respect, tolerance and understanding towards all cultures

STEREOTYPE: an exaggerated belief about a group often based on a lack of information or

 Many politicians are ___________________________________________________

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