Culture and Social Structure

This topic discusses the concept of culture, cultural change, structural condition, social class and intergroup conflict

1. DTR 6012 CULTURAL & DIVERSITY TOPIC 2 CULTURE & SOCIAL STRUCTURE

2. DEFINITION CULTURE The origin of the Latin word cultura is clear. It is a derivative of the verb colo (infinitive colere ), meaning “to tend,” “to cultivate,” and “to till,” among other things (Tucker, 1931 ) “the set of common beliefs and practices that a person shares with a group” (Robins et al., 2006 ) The values, beliefs, attitudes, languages, symbols, rituals, behaviors and customs unique to a particular group of people and that are passed down from generation to generation  Cultural identity is how people recognize where they belong

3. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE TOPIC 2 CULTURE & SOCIAL STRUCTURE

4. CONCEPT OF CULTURE Edward Tylor's 1871 work, Primitive Culture, which includes the first formal definition of culture : Culture or Civilization, .... is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society . Culture was reduced to separable traits.

5. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE CULTURE IS LEARNED Cultural learning is unique to humans . Cultural learning is the accumulation of knowledge about experiences and information not perceived directly by the organism, but transmitted to it through symbols. a . Symbols are signs that have no necessary or natural connection with the things for which they stand. b . Geertz defines culture as ideas based on cultural learning and symbols. Culture is learned through both direct instruction and through observation (both conscious and unconscious). - Anthropologists in the 19th century argued for the ―psychic unity of man .‖ c. This doctrine acknowledges that individuals vary in their emotional and intellectual tendencies and capacities . d. However, this doctrine asserted that all human populations share the same capacity for culture.

6. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE 2. CULTURE IS SHARED Culture is located and transmitted in groups . The social transmission of culture tends to unify people by providing us with a common experience . The commonalty of experience in turn tends to generate a common understanding of future events. Culture is shared when these take place:- Migration, tourism, trade, conquest, change of political and/or religious systems. - Aiding by improving information and communication technologies.

7. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE 3. CULTURE IS SYMBOLIC The human ability to use symbols is the basis of culture (a symbol is something verbal or nonverbal within a particular language or culture that comes to stand for something else). While human symbol use is overwhelmingly linguistic, a symbol is anything that is used to represent any other thing, when the relationship between the two is arbitrary (e.g. a flag). Other primates have demonstrated rudimentary ability to use symbols, but only humans have elaborated cultural abilities—to learn, to communicate, to store, to process, and to use symbols.

8. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE 4. CULTURE IS ALL-ENCOMPASSING Culture is an all-encompassing term that identifies not only the whole tangible lifestyle of people but also their prevailing values and beliefs. It is closely identified with the discipline of anthropology. The anthropological concept of culture is a model that includes all aspects of human group behavior . Everyone is cultured, not just wealthy people with an elite education.

9. THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE 5. CULTURE IS INTEGRATED A culture is a system: changes in one aspect will likely generate changes in other aspects. Core values are sets of ideas, attitudes, and beliefs which are basic in that they provide an organizational logic for the rest of the culture. Humans have the ability to avoid, manipulate, subvert, and change the Rules and patterns of their own cultures. Ideal culture refers to normative descriptions of a culture given by its natives. Real culture refers to ―actual behavior as observed by an anthropologist Culture is both public and individual because individuals internalize the meanings of public (cultural) messages.

10. MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY TOPIC 2 CULTURE & SOCIAL STRUCTURE

11. MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY When several cultures exist within one society (multiculturalism), this is a situation that may evolve in many different ways. Multicultural society- characteristic of a society that has many different ethnic or national cultures mingling freely . an  ideology  that promotes the institutionalization of   communities  containing multiple  cultures . It is generally applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g. schools, businesses,  neighborhoods , cities, or nations.

12. MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY Living in a multicultural society with people with different traditions and perspectives, makes people communicate with each other. When people communicate, they share ideas and perspectives, so everyone learns a new way to see the world or even a small thing or situation multicultural society also leads to a more open-minded population; people start to see situations from another point of view

13. Advantages Multicultural Society 1. Cultural Awareness - can create a sense of cultural awareness among workers . Employees who are exposed to others' ideas and points of view will learn to think outside the box when faced with a problem. ability to think and solve problems. When a variety of viewpoints are thrown into the problem-solving mix, new and innovative solutions can be reached . 2. Service Coverage Companies that have a culturally diverse workforce may benefit from such diversity because they create a workforce with a larger social network than just one ethnic group. This can generate an interest for products and services in many ethnic communities within the larger community. Businesses that offer goods and services that appeal to several ethnic groups more likely to benefit from a multicultural workforce whose members can communicate with people in those ethnic groups.

14. Advantages Multicultural Society 3. Employee Relations Employees exposed to different viewpoints and cultures more likely to practice toleration. Employees who are tolerant of different views are more likely to cooperate with one-another or reach a compromise when differences exist. T his can have a profound effect on employee relations, making it possible for employees of different cultures to not only coexist, but also thrive . 4. Knowledge Employees who become aware of the culture of others in the workplace may want to learn more about that culture . A curiosity about someone else's culture can lead to a lifelong or a short-term pursuit of learning . Knowledge of another culture will stimulate tolerance in the workplace and also encourage workers to use knowledge of other cultures when they do their jobs.

15. D isadvantages Multicultural Society Communication Communication barriers lead to problems in a company attempting to create a diverse workplace. E.g : When a U.S. company hires employees of other cultures whose first language is not English, employees and managers may experience difficulties communicating with one another. This can lead to misunderstandings and a decrease in productivity. For example, if a manager gives instructions about completing a certain task to an employee who fails to fully comprehend the instructions, the employee may make mistakes if he tries to complete the task without receiving clarity. Sometimes it helps for companies to hire bilingual employees who can mediate and reduce language and communication barriers .

16. Disadvantages Multicultural Society 2. Opposition to Change some employees and managers may not react positively to changes made. Employees who oppose workforce diversity usually reject new ideas and make work environments more difficult. If the company doesn't handle opposition properly, workplace diversity initiatives may not provide the intended benefits to the company. To deal with opposition, companies should explain the reasons for diversity and what benefits changes in diversity bring to management and employees. Alleviating fears some people possess about workplace diversity may reduce much of the opposition.

17. 3. Implementation Although on paper workplace diversity may seem like a good idea, many companies experience challenges when attempting to implement changes. Employers must develop strategies for implementation, analyze results and make necessary changes if results do not meet the established goals. The implementation process may present challenges to everyone involved, and frustrations may arise because implementation is not as smooth as expected. To help with implementation, employers may decide to hire experienced professionals who specialize in workplace diversity. Experienced professionals understand the challenges and know how to handle them . 4. Managing Diversity Once workplace diversity is implemented, companies must effectively manage the changes in policies . This presents a challenge for many organizations. Challenges in managing workplace diversity can stem from several reasons, such as taking the wrong approach to solving diversity issues . For example, a company may adopt affirmative action policies in an attempt to solve diversity problems . Affirmative action is about giving opportunity to previously disadvantaged workers . Hiring based solely on race may not solve diversity issues. Many companies offer training programs to managers to help them effectively manage their newly diverse departments.

18. Culture change TOPIC 2 CULTURE & SOCIAL STRUCTURE

19. CULTURE CHANGE Merriam Webster Definition- “ modification of a society through innovation, invention, discovery , or contact with other societies” There are dynamic processes operating that encourage the acceptance of new ideas and things while there are others that encourage changeless stability. There are three general sources of influence or pressure that are responsible for both change and resistance to it: 1 . forces at work within a society 2. contact between societies 3 . changes in the natural environment

20. Factors influence cultural change. i . contact between societies ii . forces at work within a society iii . changes in the natural environment iv . Inventions may be either technological or ideological. v . Modification of a society through innovation, invention, discovery, or contact with other societies. vi . Technological inventions include new tools, energy sources, and transportation methods. vii . transculturation happens to an individual when he or she moves to another society and adopts its culture viii . A population change is itself a social change but also becomes a casual factor in further social and cultural changes

21. Social Mobility Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups in social position over time . Most commonly, social mobility refers to the change in  wealth  and social  status  of individuals or  families . Social mobility may refer to classes, ethnic groups, or entire nations, and may measure health status, literacy, or education; however, more commonly it refers to individuals or families, and to their change in income. Movement up or down the social hierarchy is called vertical social mobility. Movement between two equally ranked social positions is called horizontal mobility. Intra-generational mobility ("within" a generation) is defined as change in social status over a single lifetime. Absolute mobility measures whether (and by how much) living standards in a society have increased; this is often measured by what percentage of people have higher incomes than their parents. Relative mobility refers to how likely children are to move from their parents' place in the social hierarchy.

22. Types Of Social Mobility Vertical and horizontal mobility. b ) Open and closed modes of mobility.

23. Vertical And Horizontal Mobility a) Vertical social mobility Vertical social mobility refers to the movement of an individual or people or groups from one status to another. It involves change in class, occupations or power positions. e.g. movement from poor class to middle class. From occupation laborer to the bank clerk . i i) Horizontal social mobility Horizontal mobility is change in position without the change in status. It indicates a change in position within the range of the same position or status . It is movement from one status to its equivalent‖. e.g . An engineer working in factory may resign job and join another factory as an engineer and may work in more or less the same capacity or join an engineering college and start working as professor.

24. Open And Closed Modes Of Mobility 1 . Open system mobility It is refer to the free movement in status change. In such a system, status can be achieved, mobility is motivated and encouraged . 2. Closed model of mobility Its refer status is based on birth caste. When a society ascribe to its members, deferent degrees of status on the basis of sex, religion and caste

25. Social Change Social change is a broader concept, including things like acceptance of civil rights for all, altered food patterns (fast food versus home cooked) and other life-style issues. A very mobile society can have a lot of social change due to the changing viewpoints based on individuals' experiences (the acceptance of barbeque for example...ethnic foods...)

26. Social class TOPIC 2 CULTURE & SOCIAL STRUCTURE

27. Social Class Definition : Ogburn and Nimkoff “ A social in one or two or more broad groups of individuals who are ranked by the members of the community in socially superior and inferior positions” Max Weber “Class or aggregates of individuals, who have the same opportunity of acquiring good, the same exhibited standard of living”

28. Social Class Types of social stratification can be divided into : i . Caste system – social ii. Class system – economic iii. Race – hereditary

29. Types of Social Class can be divided into: i . Upper Class ii. Middle Class iii . Working Class iv . Lower Class

30. Intergroup conflict In the country that has multicultural society, there are several problems or misunderstanding is happening to develop cultural diversity: i . Misunderstanding language ii. Different ways of looking at things iii. Different ways of dressing - Some cultures have specific clothing such as headscarves or turbans that are worn at all times. iv . misunderstanding expressing personality/goodness v . Misunderstanding in religion and belief. Some religions require time during work each day for prayer or time off for special religious days . vi . Some cultures can or can't have specific foods and drinks, or may have rules about how food is prepared. vii . Non-verbal behaviour – Eye contact, facial expressions, hand gestures and how people interpret them vary between cultures viii . Social values - Ideas about appropriate social and sexual behaviour , work ethics, wealth and personal growth vary between cultures

31. THANK YOU Mdm. Rumizi Abd Manaf CULTURAL DIVERSITY Email : [email protected]