Key Theoretical Concepts to Understanding Culture

THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE CULTURE Part of the challenge to understanding human development relates to the specific characteristics of one’s respective culture. –Failure to consider culture leads to flawed theories which lack generalizability Cultural expectations can stimulate or stagnate human development.

Cultural Values and Competencies to Consider Developmental Competencies Cultural Factors Rite of Passage Intelligence Responsibility Gender Roles Family Roles Attachment Asian Indian African Hispanic Caucasian

Age-grading and Social Structure Age-Grading. The early 1900s (industrial age) represented a time of intense segregation of individuals along developmental lines –Prior to this point, people rarely knew their age –Educational advancement was a function of demonstrated competence Social Organization/Integration –In what way do our cultural practices prepare us for our integration into society? –Vertical: Clear distinctions between children and adults –Horizontal: Little distinctions between children and adults

Orienting Concepts to Understanding Cultural Processes According to Lev Vygotsky (1987), rather than trying to “reveal the eternal child,” the goal is to discover “the historical child.” –It becomes key to investigate people’s use and transformation of cultural tools, technologies, and their involvement in cultural traditions related to the family and the community –Development must be understood from a social and historical context. It cannot be understood in the moment. If this is true, then perhaps Humans develop their changing participation in the socio-cultural activities of their communities, which also change.

Understanding Cultural Processes Culture isn’t just what other people do; it is everything to which we become directly and indirectly exposed. Understanding one’s own cultural heritage and the heritage of others requires taking the perspective of people of contrasting backgrounds. –Sometimes our own cultural perceptions can inhibit us from seeing the beauty of others Cultural practices fit together and are connected Cultural communities continue to change, as do individuals There is not likely to be one best fit way to culture The challenge of assumptions

Beyond Ethnocentrism and Deficit models Ethnocentrism occurs when you impose a value judgment from one’s own community on the cultural practices of another without understanding how those practices make sense in that community. –Assumptions of immorality or inferiority Deficit model refers to the view that cultures other than the ones we are a part of are limited in scope or character. –Euro American views on Afro Americans (The Bell Curve) –Often programs are developed and designed to address cultural variations

Beyond Ethnocentrism and Deficit models Continued Oftentimes cross comparative research is conducted using Euro American samples as the control group. –Variation is a function of EuroAmerican anomalies –We search for differences, which, when found, serve as proof that the problem exists (Cauce & Gonzles, 1993) Intelligence, Sexuality, Social Welfare

Cultural Repercussions Sometimes representatives of minority cultures tend to believe the stereotypes projected onto them—Beliefs sometimes translate into behavior. Majority group representatives can lose the potential of valuable knowledge growth.

Culture, Ethnicity, & the Family Separating Value Judgments from Explanations –It is key to be objective observers and researchers –Interpreting the activity of people without regard for their meaning system and goals renders observations meaningless. –Move beyond the view that one way is better From the standpoint of science, it is within our best interest to understand why cultures evolve in their unique ways— these are the themes of human social behavior.

Diverse Goals of Development Theory and research typically assume that development proceeds toward maturity. Lewis Henry Morgan (7 stages of human progress) –Lower savagery –Middle savagery –Upper savagery –Lower barbarism –Middle barbarism –Upper barbarism –Civilization Key markers are monogamy, family structure, agriculture, and private property as the basis of economic and social organization (Adams, 1996).

Thought Process From the standpoint of science, it is within our best interests to understand why cultures evolve in their unique ways….These are the themes of human social behavior.