Culture and Adaptation: Anthropology is the study of human culture and language of different groups of people over a period of time. This helps us to identify how human culture adapted to changing needs and environmental changes. While culture refers to the sum of belief, practices, tradition, worldview, language, religion, food, clothing and social practices; adaptation refers to the gradual changes incorporated into the culture, so as to help survival in a changing environment. Certain cultural traits are universal to all humans and these traits help to differentiate humans from members of other related species like humans. For example, caring for infants, sexuality, ability to use language, symbols and tools, are certain behavioral traits that are common to all humans. There are certain common ways in which humans think, feel and process information. These traits that help to live as a group are universal to all humans. Certain cultural practices and beliefs, may be shared by more than one culture, but they are not universal. For example, the practice of nuclear family, which, are seen in some cultures, may not be a universal norm of all the cultures on the globe. There are certain cultural practices that are unique to a culture and not seen in any other culture. These practices are of fundamental importance to the people in the culture and contribute to cultural diversity.
Culture is a learned behavior and it allows people to live as a group. Cultural adaptation can be noticed by the changes in the tools or mechanization adapted to do work; in the changes in social organization and in the way traditional knowledge is preserved. Adapting once behavior to changes in need and environment, can lead to cultural differences and evolution of new culture. Humans do not strictly follow the dictates of their culture and use creative ways to do away with common rules and practices, without being ostracized for it. The way the individuals interprets the culture can also determine the extent to which they conform to cultural norms.
Just like human behavior, culture is dynamic and adapts to changes. For example, technology is one intervention that has enabled humans to adapt in different cultural settings and within once own culture. Information technology helps people from one culture to know another culture and to borrow traits that they find appealing. Technology encourages mobility, thereby offering the opportunity for people to learn and adapt. Culture adapts when people from one culture receives long term exposure to a new culture. Likewise, the culture of a region also adapts, in the process of seeking intervention or solution for once problems. Improved travelling avenues, global trade relations and better communications have enabled improved cultural adaptation.
Just like the way culture can be adaptive, it can also be maladaptive. For example, technology has led to increased deforestation, trade and travel; it has increased mobility. These changes have increased the spread of new diseases and health problems. Sedentary lifestyle is another example of culture maladaptation to technology. As culture is an integrated system, changes to one aspect of the system, can lead to changes in other aspects of the same system. Thus, both adaptation and maladaptation can coexist within a culture.
Humans have the ability to manipulate rules and patterns in the culture, enabling them to adapt to social and economic changes. The actual behavior of people in a group varies significantly from the culture description of their ancestors. This is a result of cultural adaptation. When the cultural behavior does not change with changes in environmental constraints, it can result in maladaptive cultures. To identify a culture as adaptive or maladaptive, it is necessary to study the outcome of a practice or behavior in a culture from a different perspective. With the advent of globalization, the social and political system has taken domination over individual cultures and the changes caused by globalization has given rise to a modern culture that shows less attachment to traditional cultural norms. ("Culture shock phase 1")
Culture and Identity
Culture contributes to a person’s self-image and thus his identity. Cultural identity becomes a formal element when different cultures come together and try to communicate. Each culture has its own style of communication and this is a form of cultural identity. When different cultures come together, the need to identify a common ground to communicate. In case of marriages, most people are more comfortable and successful in finding a partner from their own culture, as it is difficult to relate to people with a different cultural identity. In a multicultural society, the population is exposed to a number of diverse cultures. This creates a growing willingness and ability of people to interact with different cultures. At the same time, this has also contributed to bias or preferences towards certain culture. People tend to identify their culture as superior to another culture.
The dark side of culture identity is stereotypes, biases, prejudice and ethnocentrism. People become aware of their culture identity, only when they cross cultural boundaries and enter a new culture. They tend to compare the way they do things with the way others do things and become more aware about the contradictions. The concept of cultural identity is relevant only in cross cultural interaction. People from a particular culture, have the common cultural identity as they share certain symbolic verbal and nonverbal behavior that is meaningful in their culture, but may not be meaningful in another culture.
Marriages are an example of cultural identity. In South Asia, marriages are arranged by parents and it is disrespectful for the boy or girl to find a partner for themselves. This could come as a cultural shock for people from U.S, where marriages are a based on the individual’s decision to marry and choose a partner. While in most cultures, monogamy is a norm, there are certain primitive cultures, where polygamy is a cultural norm. The differences that are unique to different cultures, contribute to the cultural identity.
Cultural identity develops from certain shared symbolic, verbal and non-verbal behavior that is shared by people in one culture and is meaningful in that culture, but may not be meaningful in another culture (Miller). These cultural differences are noticeable when different cultures interact and these differences contribute to cultural identity. There is a complex connection between a person’s cultural identity and social identity. Society develops a personality that is defined by its culture. Thus, social and cultural identities are related. In any given culture, the differences between people, is greater than the differences between the social groups in a culture. People can have different identities, based on the differences in social standing, education, religion, belief structure, personality, experiences in life, affection and a number of other factors. Thus, individual differences of people from a culture, should not be mistaken for cultural identity.
The dressing style, social activities, gender roles, way of greeting, meeting people, gestures used, dinner etiquette, language and food in a culture, refer to their cultural identities. These are the elements that have to be addressed in cross cultural interactions. Though individual tend to derive a self-image based on the culture they belong, it should not be confused with cultural identity. Cultural identity is a tradition or behavior that is passed down the generations. Individual identity or customs on the other hand, are not passed down the generation. Cultural identities help individuals to fit into their culture. People from a culture, have a common language that helps them to identify with their culture. However, it becomes a problem when people use the same language in a different culture that has a different language. This can come in the way of participating in cross cultural adaptation, as adaptation tends to affect once identity. ("culture and identity")
Work cited
"Culture and Identity". YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 31 July 2016.
"Culture Shock Phase 1". YouTube. N.p., 2016. Web. 31 July 2016.
Miller, Barbara D. Cultural Anthropology. 4th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2002. Print.
