5.) Define the terms "culture" and "cultural norms".
There are multiple definitions for culture in psychology, which is why this could possibly one of the long questions. Here are five of the different culture definitions (the other two I couldn't find in the book, but I believe are Bruner and someone else). Following that is a section where characteristics of culture should be explained, but in groups. The third part of this essay is the explanation of cultural norms - Triandis is going to be your best friend EVER for this section (see somewhere around page 116 in the purple book for more information other than what I've posted here). The fourth part you should mention is how cultural norms influence behavior. And, lastly, how culture can be classified in order to be studied (etics and emics).
Part 1: State Definitions of Culture:
1.) Kuschell - explain how people survive in their own environment (see first handout)
2.) Lonner - common rules of interaction in a group, as well as similar attitudes and values
3.) Hoefstede - cultural schemas that affect thinking, emotions and behavior
4.) Matsumoto - all of the rules, attitudes, values, beliefs, norms and behaviors used by humans to survive (just like Kuschell)
5.) Heider - rules, attitudes, beliefs, norms, etc. which are LEARNED and SHARED (process of enculturation, see pages 117 or near there in the purple book for specifics)
Part 2: Give Characteristics of Culture
- However, don't give them in a list
- Categorize them into groups, such as Kuschell's "surface" and "deep" culture
Part 3: Explain Cultural Norms
1.) State what they are - in handout, they are "behavioral patterns that are typical of specific groups passed down through generations"
2.) Check out purple book for Triandis - he is IMPORTANT (all of these sub-bullets are his)
- The way T. sees it, cultural norms are how people view man-made things within their own culture
- They also show how humans interact with natural elements of their environment
+ Folkways - subcultures
+ Mores - Acceptable behavior
+ Taboos - what should be avoided
+ Laws - enforced by a higher power
+ Roles - how people should act in society
- He thought norms were pasted down from older generations like parents or other family members
- Cultural norms are cognitive because they have a sense of behavioral control in an individual
Part 4: The Influence of Cultural Norms on Behavior
- Bring in Individualism vs collectivism briefly in here (as examples of cultural norms)
- Can bring in others such as conformity
Part 5: How Culture Can Be Studied
- Etics vs. Emics - Universal versus cultural specific terms
- Provide BRIEF examples
1.) Kuschell - explain how people survive in their own environment (see first handout)
2.) Lonner - common rules of interaction in a group, as well as similar attitudes and values
3.) Hoefstede - cultural schemas that affect thinking, emotions and behavior
4.) Matsumoto - all of the rules, attitudes, values, beliefs, norms and behaviors used by humans to survive (just like Kuschell)
5.) Heider - rules, attitudes, beliefs, norms, etc. which are LEARNED and SHARED (process of enculturation, see pages 117 or near there in the purple book for specifics)
Part 2: Give Characteristics of Culture
- However, don't give them in a list
- Categorize them into groups, such as Kuschell's "surface" and "deep" culture
Part 3: Explain Cultural Norms
1.) State what they are - in handout, they are "behavioral patterns that are typical of specific groups passed down through generations"
2.) Check out purple book for Triandis - he is IMPORTANT (all of these sub-bullets are his)
- The way T. sees it, cultural norms are how people view man-made things within their own culture
- They also show how humans interact with natural elements of their environment
+ Folkways - subcultures
+ Mores - Acceptable behavior
+ Taboos - what should be avoided
+ Laws - enforced by a higher power
+ Roles - how people should act in society
- He thought norms were pasted down from older generations like parents or other family members
- Cultural norms are cognitive because they have a sense of behavioral control in an individual
Part 4: The Influence of Cultural Norms on Behavior
- Bring in Individualism vs collectivism briefly in here (as examples of cultural norms)
- Can bring in others such as conformity
Part 5: How Culture Can Be Studied
- Etics vs. Emics - Universal versus cultural specific terms
- Provide BRIEF examples