Cultural Perspectives
Culture differences and perspectives in societies
Dennis Frost
Everest University Online Abstract
Culture is what people are born into and raised up around. There are many different cultures, culture diversity and so many different diets exist within these cultures. The three main sociological perspectives are Functionalism, Conflict and interactionism. Ethnocentrism is when a person has the mindset of finding their own culture or subculture superior to their own and take for granted the culture in which they were born. Culture relativism basically means that culture customs that are socially acceptable in one culture may not be socially acceptable to another culture. This paper will explain how all humans have some type of ethnocentrism …show more content…
and relativism as well as the three main sociological theories. Culture differences and perspectives in societies
Culture what does this mean and how does it affect all humans. Culture is how sociologist defines learned behavior by people or members of a social group. A British anthropologist was the first to define culture in 1871; His name was Edward B. Taylor. His definition was referred to as that “complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, morals, law, custom, art, laws, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society” (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, p.384 Vol. 5, 1985). Since the time of Edward’s definition of culture many anthropologist have fine-tuned and created many different versions of this definition. All anthropologists agree on culture being a behavior that has been learned by genetically endowed. This behavior begins at birth and continues as the baby is raised in a particular culture. Human culture as a general rule includes behavior, etiquette, food habits as well as other arts practiced in a society (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1985).
Culture Diversity is widespread throughout the world. Culture diversity basically means what may be right in one culture may not be right for other cultures. Culture diversity can be seen in the United States Culture and The Middle East culture when it comes to women. The Middle East culture prevents women from showing any bare skin and must be escorted by men when they leave their homes. This may seem strange to the women in the United States but that is culture diversity (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1985). Another form of culture diversity would be In Italy it is against the law for the parents to discipline their boys, this seemed strange to the military families that were stationed there from the United States. Discipline is acceptable for all children here in America (personal).
There is much different cultural diversity between cultures; this includes foods that are acceptable to eat. One such diversity that comes to mind is Italian supreme pizza and American supreme pizza (personal).
Italians place a raw egg in the center of the pizza which makes it supreme (Personal) Many cultures consider acceptable foods to eat that other cultures would not.
Culture diversity can come in many other forms as well. These forms can range from greetings to a man or women having multiple spouses (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1985).
All humans have ethnocentrism which basically means that they have culture bias to the culture that they have been raised in. humans tend to see that their culture is superior to others and keep a closed mind with other cultures socially accepted behaviors and diets. This means that if a baby is born in the United States but adopted to a Russian family in Russia the child will accept Russian culture and look at the American culture as strange and not as superior as the Russian culture (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol.7, 1985).
Ethnocentrism can lead to intolerance and feelings of being scorned by others from different cultures. Ethnocentrism can also be used to logically create a unity of members of a culture (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 7, 1985). It is a good idea to try and avoid ethnocentrism as to not offend other cultures. Just because a culture has different acceptable behaviors and foods do not give anybody the right to think that their culture is superior to others
(Personal).
Culture relativism means that customs in one culture that could be considered sinful in one culture may not be sinful in another. This could also mean that customs considered illegal in one culture may not be in another. An example of culture relativism would be how the Hindu treat cows as they consider them very special and is considered a sin not to treat cows respectfully and special. This is not the case in the American culture; however, it is not considered a sin by this culture not to treat cow’s special (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1985).
The first of the three sociological theories that will be discussed will be the symbolic interactionism theory (Henslin, 2013).
The founders of this theory were George Herbert Mead and Charles Horton Cooley two sociologists. This theory believes that humans add meaning to everything. This theory believes that it is vital for us to understand the how we see the world and communicate with other humans. This theory states that we define our relatives with symbols, without these symbols we would not have relatives. Sociologist who studies symbolic interactionist belief that multiple changes in the symbols that have been added to things such as marriage, divorce, parenthood, and love is possibly the reason for higher divorce rates. No single change is because enough but all these together could cause divorces. The changes make divorce more acceptable to cultures (Henslin, 2013).
The functional theory will be the next theory that will be discussed. There are two types of functional theories. The first is functionalism and the second is called structural functionalism. This theory was founded by Auguste Comte and Herbert spencer. This is considered to be what keeps a society working together and living, much like the parts of the human body. In order for the proper functions to go smoothly and be healthy all the parts of the human body must work together perfectly. It is important that when humans look at any society that they see the big picture not just the smaller most interesting pictures (Henslin, 2013).
Functionalism has gotten flack for not paying attention to the negative effects of actions such as divorce. Opponents to this theory believe it justify the state of affairs and the self-satisfied content of society. Functionalism does not need for humans to take an active role in making changes to the social environment. This theory sees active changes not necessary due to other areas of society will make up automatically for any trouble that arises (Henslin, 2013). The third and final theory that will be discussed her is the conflict theory. The founder of this theory is named Karl Marx. This theory states that instead of societies working together like the functionalism theory humans are work against (compete) against each other for the rare resources that are available (Henslin, 2013).
The conflict theorists see unequal areas in racial, gender, religious, political and economics. This causes constant groups to be competitive against one another and constantly forms changes in society. The opponents to this theory believe it adds an overly negative view to society (Henslin, 2013).
The above theories show possible ways that societies operate. The problem is even though these theories have the possibility to be ideal; there is not enough empirical research to back them up. The theories do make sense, especially Karl Marx’s conflict theory with the way the economy and societies are doing today.
Cultures should always be respected by other cultures. There is not one culture superior to another. Cultures should be looked at with an open mind and always willing to try something new. Just because something does not fit into a person’s culture does not give them the right to say that the other culture is wrong. When faced with a new challenge or different culture it is always a great idea to try something new.
A person may never know what they are missing if they do not try. I would have missed out on a dish the Italians call calamari if I did not try it. This dish is called squid in my culture. There is only one place to get it cooked the way Italians do that I have found and that is olive garden. When I was given the opportunity to try something new from a different culture I am glad I took that opportunity. If you have the same opportunity to try something from another culture would you? References
Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia. (1985). Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia Vol. 7. New York, United States: Lexicon Publications Inc.
Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia. (1985). Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia Vol.5. New York, United States: Lexicorn Publication.
Henslin, J. (2013). Essentials of sociology, A- Downt- t-o Earth-Approach Tenth Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Publishing.
Dennis Frost
Everest University Online Abstract
Culture is what people are born into and raised up around. There are many different cultures, culture diversity and so many different diets exist within these cultures. The three main sociological perspectives are Functionalism, Conflict and interactionism. Ethnocentrism is when a person has the mindset of finding their own culture or subculture superior to their own and take for granted the culture in which they were born. Culture relativism basically means that culture customs that are socially acceptable in one culture may not be socially acceptable to another culture. This paper will explain how all humans have some type of ethnocentrism …show more content…
and relativism as well as the three main sociological theories. Culture differences and perspectives in societies
Culture what does this mean and how does it affect all humans. Culture is how sociologist defines learned behavior by people or members of a social group. A British anthropologist was the first to define culture in 1871; His name was Edward B. Taylor. His definition was referred to as that “complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, morals, law, custom, art, laws, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society” (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, p.384 Vol. 5, 1985). Since the time of Edward’s definition of culture many anthropologist have fine-tuned and created many different versions of this definition. All anthropologists agree on culture being a behavior that has been learned by genetically endowed. This behavior begins at birth and continues as the baby is raised in a particular culture. Human culture as a general rule includes behavior, etiquette, food habits as well as other arts practiced in a society (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1985).
Culture Diversity is widespread throughout the world. Culture diversity basically means what may be right in one culture may not be right for other cultures. Culture diversity can be seen in the United States Culture and The Middle East culture when it comes to women. The Middle East culture prevents women from showing any bare skin and must be escorted by men when they leave their homes. This may seem strange to the women in the United States but that is culture diversity (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1985). Another form of culture diversity would be In Italy it is against the law for the parents to discipline their boys, this seemed strange to the military families that were stationed there from the United States. Discipline is acceptable for all children here in America (personal).
There is much different cultural diversity between cultures; this includes foods that are acceptable to eat. One such diversity that comes to mind is Italian supreme pizza and American supreme pizza (personal).
Italians place a raw egg in the center of the pizza which makes it supreme (Personal) Many cultures consider acceptable foods to eat that other cultures would not.
Culture diversity can come in many other forms as well. These forms can range from greetings to a man or women having multiple spouses (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1985).
All humans have ethnocentrism which basically means that they have culture bias to the culture that they have been raised in. humans tend to see that their culture is superior to others and keep a closed mind with other cultures socially accepted behaviors and diets. This means that if a baby is born in the United States but adopted to a Russian family in Russia the child will accept Russian culture and look at the American culture as strange and not as superior as the Russian culture (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol.7, 1985).
Ethnocentrism can lead to intolerance and feelings of being scorned by others from different cultures. Ethnocentrism can also be used to logically create a unity of members of a culture (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 7, 1985). It is a good idea to try and avoid ethnocentrism as to not offend other cultures. Just because a culture has different acceptable behaviors and foods do not give anybody the right to think that their culture is superior to others
(Personal).
Culture relativism means that customs in one culture that could be considered sinful in one culture may not be sinful in another. This could also mean that customs considered illegal in one culture may not be in another. An example of culture relativism would be how the Hindu treat cows as they consider them very special and is considered a sin not to treat cows respectfully and special. This is not the case in the American culture; however, it is not considered a sin by this culture not to treat cow’s special (Lexicon Universal encyclopedia, Vol. 5, 1985).
The first of the three sociological theories that will be discussed will be the symbolic interactionism theory (Henslin, 2013).
The founders of this theory were George Herbert Mead and Charles Horton Cooley two sociologists. This theory believes that humans add meaning to everything. This theory believes that it is vital for us to understand the how we see the world and communicate with other humans. This theory states that we define our relatives with symbols, without these symbols we would not have relatives. Sociologist who studies symbolic interactionist belief that multiple changes in the symbols that have been added to things such as marriage, divorce, parenthood, and love is possibly the reason for higher divorce rates. No single change is because enough but all these together could cause divorces. The changes make divorce more acceptable to cultures (Henslin, 2013).
The functional theory will be the next theory that will be discussed. There are two types of functional theories. The first is functionalism and the second is called structural functionalism. This theory was founded by Auguste Comte and Herbert spencer. This is considered to be what keeps a society working together and living, much like the parts of the human body. In order for the proper functions to go smoothly and be healthy all the parts of the human body must work together perfectly. It is important that when humans look at any society that they see the big picture not just the smaller most interesting pictures (Henslin, 2013).
Functionalism has gotten flack for not paying attention to the negative effects of actions such as divorce. Opponents to this theory believe it justify the state of affairs and the self-satisfied content of society. Functionalism does not need for humans to take an active role in making changes to the social environment. This theory sees active changes not necessary due to other areas of society will make up automatically for any trouble that arises (Henslin, 2013). The third and final theory that will be discussed her is the conflict theory. The founder of this theory is named Karl Marx. This theory states that instead of societies working together like the functionalism theory humans are work against (compete) against each other for the rare resources that are available (Henslin, 2013).
The conflict theorists see unequal areas in racial, gender, religious, political and economics. This causes constant groups to be competitive against one another and constantly forms changes in society. The opponents to this theory believe it adds an overly negative view to society (Henslin, 2013).
The above theories show possible ways that societies operate. The problem is even though these theories have the possibility to be ideal; there is not enough empirical research to back them up. The theories do make sense, especially Karl Marx’s conflict theory with the way the economy and societies are doing today.
Cultures should always be respected by other cultures. There is not one culture superior to another. Cultures should be looked at with an open mind and always willing to try something new. Just because something does not fit into a person’s culture does not give them the right to say that the other culture is wrong. When faced with a new challenge or different culture it is always a great idea to try something new.
A person may never know what they are missing if they do not try. I would have missed out on a dish the Italians call calamari if I did not try it. This dish is called squid in my culture. There is only one place to get it cooked the way Italians do that I have found and that is olive garden. When I was given the opportunity to try something new from a different culture I am glad I took that opportunity. If you have the same opportunity to try something from another culture would you? References
Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia. (1985). Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia Vol. 7. New York, United States: Lexicon Publications Inc.
Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia. (1985). Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia Vol.5. New York, United States: Lexicorn Publication.
Henslin, J. (2013). Essentials of sociology, A- Downt- t-o Earth-Approach Tenth Edition. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Publishing.