Culture

Culture

Definition for Culture

Culture is the set of important understanding that members of the communities shared in common. It consists of the basic set of values, ideas, perceptions, concept of morality, cord of conduct which creates distinguish among human group

Cultural diversity

Cultural diversity is the quality of diverse or different cultures, as opposed to monoculture, the global monoculture, or a homogenization of cultures, akin to cultural decay. The phrase cultural diversity can also refer to having different cultures respect each other's differences. The phrase "cultural diversity" is also sometimes used to mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole. Globalization is often said to have a negative effect on the world's cultural diversity.

Assumptions about culture

·       Members of a cultural system share asset of values and ideas.

·       These are transmitted symbolically.

·       Culture is produced by the past actions of a group and its members.

·       Culture is learned.

·       Culture influences behavior and perceptions.

Values and norms of culture

A society^’s system of shared, learned values and norms; these are the society^’s design for living

·       Values: abstract ideas about the good, the right, the desirable

·       Norms (Customs): social rules and guidelines: guide appropriate behavior for specific situations

·       Folkways: norms of little moral significance dress code; table manners; timeliness

·       Mores: norms central to functioning of social life (bring serious retribution: thievery, adultery, alcohol, plagiarism)

Determinants of culture

The cultural norms and value systems consists of

·       Religion

·       Political Philosophy

·       Economic Philosophy

·       Education

·       Language

·       Social structure

Role of Religion in culture

·       Religion is a system of shared beliefs and rituals that are concerned with the realm of the sacred

·       Religion and Ethics are often closely intertwined.

·       Four religions dominate society. They are

1.     Christianity

2.      Islam

3.     Hinduism

4.     Buddhism

·       Confucianism is also important in influencing behavior and culture in many parts of Asia.

·       Ethical systems are a set of moral principles or values that are used to guide and shape behavior.

·       Religions influence lifestyles, beliefs, values and attitudes and can have a dramatic effect on the way people in a society act toward each other and towards those in other societies.

·       Religion also influences:

Ø  The work habits of people

Ø  The work and social customs

Ø  Politics and business

Role of Education in culture

·       Formal education is the medium through which individuals learn many of the language, conceptual and mathematical skills that are indispensible in a modern society.

·       Important in determining a nation^’s competitive advantage.

·       General education levels can be a good index for the kinds of products that might sell in a country.

·       Japan^’s success has been due to its well educated workforce.

·       India has become an attractive investment destination given its well educated workforce.

Role of Language in culture

·       One of the defining characteristics of culture

·       Countries with more than one language often have more than one culture

·       English the most widely spoken language in the world and also becoming the language of international business.

·       Language is critical to culture because it is the primary means used to transmit information and ideas.

·       Knowledge of local language can:

Ø  Permit a clearer understanding of a situation

Ø  Provide access to local people

Ø  Allows the person to pick up nuances, implied meanings and other information that is not stated outright.

·       Knowledge of local language is still beneficial, and in some cases, critical for business success.

·       Failing to understand the nonverbal cues of another culture can lead to communication failure.

Cultural Value system

Cultural value system is the shared assumption of group about , how thinks out to be or abstract ideas about, what a group believes to be good, desirable or right.

Value systems are vary among the different cultures in different countries.

 Cultural Values of different countries

American Values	Japanese Values	European Values	Sri Lankan  Values
Equality	Obligation to the group	Appreciation for aesthetics	Religion
Individuality	Behaving according to status	Intellectualism	Social Structure
Work hard, Play hard = success	Harmony	Socialism	Language
The sky is the limit	Effort	Tradition	Education
Freedom	Self - improvement	Leisure	Economic Philosophy
Mobility	Self criticism	Sensuality	Political Philosoply
Safety	Collectivism	Family & Friendship
Competition
Efficiency