Tuesday, September 6, 2011

InterculturalCom: What is Culture? (U2-P1)

What is Culture?

A 19th century approach to culture:
  • cultured: a high state of Western civilization.

Over 200 definitions in the literature.

"Culture is the set of shared knowledge that influences a particular group of peoples' thoughts and behavior" (Hart).

So, if you had to define culture in one word, what would that word be?

Knowledge.

So where is culture?

In in our brains.

How did it get there?

We learned it.  Culture is learned.

As members of cultural groups, what knowledge do we learn?

Language, beliefs, values, history, rituals, etc.

Who teaches us the culture?





See more at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.






No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for your comment.
Your comment will be reviewed.
If acceptable, it will be posted after it is carefully reviewed. The review process may take a few minutes or maybe a day or two.