ANTH 103 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Cultural Relativism, Ethnocentrism, Practice Theory
Document Summary
Human universals distinguish homo sapiens from other species. That complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, arts, morals, law custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society . Enculturation: the process by which a child learns his or her culture. Symbols: signs that have no necessary or natural connection with the things for which they stand. Human cultural learning depends on uniquely developed human capacity to use symbols. Culture is learned through direct instruction and observation. 19th century anthropologists argued for a psychic unity of man . Populations share capacity to learn same cultures. Culture is located and transmitted through groups. Shared beliefs, values, memories, and expectations link people who grow up in the same culture. Culture teaches expression of natural biological urges. Culture affects the ways in which we perceive nature, human nature, and the natural, world. American culture= television, fast food, sports, and games (trivial things)
