RFPD 1100 Lecture 7: RFPD 1100 Chapter 4 Part 2
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Proposed contextual perspective when viewing the body and dress. Awareness of the cultural, social, and historical influences at any given time is essential to understanding dress and its meaning. Draws from fields of psychology, sociology, and anthropology allowing researchers to understand meanings below the surface. To begin the process of critically thinking about the body, it is imperative to examine o(cid:374)e"s o(cid:449)(cid:374) (cid:272)ultural ideals. A cultural ideal is the type of person and traits a culture identifies as highly desirable or attractive. At its best, beauty celebrates differences, at its worst it alienates those that do not fit an ideal. Begin examining cultural ideals by asking the following questions: Gives us an idea of the cultural rewards for ascribing to an ideal. Tells us the negative consequences for not ascribing to an ideal. Ne(cid:454)t, it"s i(cid:374)for(cid:373)ati(cid:448)e to compare ideals from several cultures. Important to use these evaluations to help you develop your own philosophy.