Question

Define culture and describe how it influences all aspects of human beliefs and behaviors.

Answer 1

Culture is an integrated pattern of belief, human knowledge, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning. Culture shapes the individuals personality as it affects them more as compared to the genes they are born. This phenomenon says that its is all in how the person is brought up in the society and the culture he/she belongs that determines how and what personality the person will possess. The factors that influence human behavior are attention, attitude, perception, memory, genetics, societal norms, culture, religious inclination and ethics. In any given environment the culture plays a crucial role to determine his/ her individual behavior.

Ex: In some places allow males and females to mingle freely in public places: others do not. This has a tremendous impact on behavior, and is evident when these persons go to a place that has a different culture compared to theirs.

Culture affects human development:

1. Living in a unsafe or violent community can make one withdrawn or fearful.

2. Socioeconomic status varies between cultures as well.

Ex: If a person has grown up around poverty all of their life, they wouldn't have as many opportunities to learn and grow as someone who was wealthier.

3. Activities typical to a culture affect development.

Ex; the age at which they learn it is related to how much practice their given culture has given them.

4. Different parenting styles can affects a person's development.

Ex: In the Western countries authoritative parenting was more prevalent.

5. Individualistic vs. Collective cultures. Individualism focused culture can give priority to personal goals rather than to group goals. In a culture that focuses on collectivism, they emphasize values that serve the group by subordination personal goals to preserve group integrity and harmonious relationships.