Transcript Transmitting Culture

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Are you creative?
Quick-witted?
Good story teller?
I need 3 volunteers
Transmitting Culture
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A major function of the family is the
transmittal (passing on) of culture.
On the slip of paper you have been given,
describe a family ritual or custom that
your family has handed down from past
generations. What is your opinion of this
custom? Do you plan on continuing the
tradition?
No society could survive for more than
a generation without a way to transmit
knowledge, beliefs, values, and ways
of behaving (cultural transmittion)
To do this we need……
COMMUNICATION
Instinctive Communication
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Based on a natural, almost automatic
response to a stimulus
Meaning can be understood in any
culture
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Ex. fingernails on a chalkboard, jumping at a
loud sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrQyfjRd
HB4
Arbitrary communication
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Words, sounds, gestures can only be understood
if you know the culture
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Although within the culture, seem almost like
second nature
ex. How many words do we have to describe time
intervals???
Nanosecond , moment, minute, hour, era, interim,
recurrence, century, light-year, afternoon….etc.
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Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: language is our
guide to reality.
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How we think about a thing relates to the number
and complexity of words available to describe that
thing.
Our perceptions of the world depend in part on the
particular language we have learned.
When something is important to a society,
its language will have many words to
describe it.
Arbitrary communication
When something is important to a society, its language will
have many words to describe it.
Tell your table mate: What’s the best kind of apple???
When something is important to a society, its
language will have many words to describe
it.
snow – Inuit (Eskimo) language has
over 20 words to describe it
Symbolic communication
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the ways in which
symbols (words
gestures, or signs)
are used to
transmit ideas
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Ex. thumbs up sign,
wave, stop sign, a
wall of graffiti
Symbolic communication is
NOT INSTINCTIVE
Ex. In Latin American,
clapping one’s hands is a sign
of disapproval
There are signs and symbols
everywhere….
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Some are strictly useful
Some have emotional significance
Many signs represent status
(social standing or prestige)
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Such signs might be carried,
worn or displayed
Ex. Coach carries a whistle
Judge wears a robe
Famous actor has a
limousine
Clothing is often used as a
status symbol
Ex. Business man wearing a
tie
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Totem ~ culture item that
represents a particular family or
group of people and has special
significance to those people
Ex. American flag
Body Language (nonverbal communication)
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Communication using body
movements, gestures and facial
expressions
Body language can communicate
without either person actually fully
being aware of it
Who’s a lyin’, cheatin’, stinker head?
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3 of your classmates are going to
tell you a story about the best
vacation they have ever been on.
Which one is lyin’?
Hide Those Lyin’ Eyes: How can you
tell when someone is lying?
Paul Ekman suggests paying close attention to four elements
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Words: slip of words “he” vs. “she”
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Voice: tone and pattern changes (gets faster or slower- may tremble –
nervous laughter or extra pauses “ah” and “um”
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Body Language: look for subtle changes like
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Nervous: sudden swallowing or rapid breathing (most people can’t control this)
Eye contact changes “shifty eyes” or they may begin to rub their eyes
nose wrinkle (like smelling something bad)
Reduction of body movement (like they’re forced into a small space)
Turning away physically from who they are talking to
Facial Expressions: seem phony or forced
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Ex. Real smile is relaxed and “laugh lines” around the eyes vs. phony smile
seems stiff and forced, no “laugh lines”
slight downward curl of the corners of the mouth
People sometimes lie, but their body language usually tells the truth!
Homework!!!
Yes, my pretties…..
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Observe your fellow classmates,
teachers, family members, strangers
on the street, etc. Identify/describe
9 examples of body language and
what it communicates
Due: Monday, March 7th
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https://www.ted.com/talks/pamela_
meyer_how_to_spot_a_liar?languag
e=en
Body Language – spot a liar 9 min.