Why is culture a more effective strategy for survival than reliance on instinct?

/in /by

Post: 2 paragraphs

Discussion answers due Friday at 5pm and replies Sunday at 5pm.

Please cite any sources used to prepare your answer, including your textbook and internet sources. Please cite sources in appropriate format (APA).

Answer 1-4 below and choose ONE of 5 or 6 to answer. Then espond to at least 2 other classmates’ postings. Please respond to any follow up questions posted by your instructor.

1)      Why is culture a more effective strategy for survival than reliance on instinct?

2)      What are some examples of symbols that different groups of people interpret differently?

3)      Provide examples of mores and folkways that you learned when growing up.

4)      How has the virtual culture impacted you?

5)      Read the article below: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema. Summarize the major conclusions from the author, Miner, and explain why the article on the Nacirema people exemplifies the social science perspective.

http://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/miner.html

6) Goths are visible as a subculture in our society, in part because of their taste in music and fashion. You can find out more about goth culture in the following YouTube video featuring an author of a “gothica” encylopedia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5t4fQrRO1U

–         Identify another subculture in today’s society.

–         In which ways might your selected subgroup’s values oppose dominant culture?

 

Discussion 1: 1 paragraphs

1. Why is culture a more effective strategy for survival than reliance on instinct?

Culture is defined the values , beliefs, behavior, and material objects that, together, form a people’s way of life while instinct can be defined as a biological programing over which animals have no control over, instinct can also be refereed as fixed, biologically inherited, complex human behavior patterns. Culture is a more effective strategy for survival than reliance on instinct because most human behaviors are as a result of social learning rather than instincts. Without culture society will not conform to a particular law.

2. What are some examples of symbols that different groups of people interpret differently?

Some symbols differ in meaning according to culture. A flag for an example indicates patriotism. The confederate flag for some people represents patriotism but to some people in America it reminds them of the blood that was shed by African Americans and to them represents the institution of slavery. In the Philippines pointing of finger at a person is considered an insult while the same expression does not hold same meaning in the United States.

3. Provide examples of mores and folkways you learned growing up.

I grew up in Nigeria and some of the mores I learned as a kid is that you don’t talk back to your elder no matter what circumstance it is. Also as a kid, food was served in different plates, we were always taught to let our seniors take their desirable plate before the younger ones. While eating, you are expected to finish your food first before eating the meat.

Another folkway I learned growing up is that during a storm, I should turn-off all electronics.

4. How has the virtual culture impacted you?

Virtual culture has impacted me both negatively and positively but more of positively. My family is still in Nigeria, I have no problem skyping or facetiming them rather than the traditional letter writing and photo sending through the mail. I stay in contact with a lot friends through social media be it twitter or Facebook and also makes it easier to reconnect with long lost friends. The negative impact is despite the fact it connects me with people I like, I am still connected with people I don’t like. For example, I still see the picture of my ex across my timeline, despite the fact we are no longer together, her picture across my timeline brings back memories which I choose to remember.

6) Goths are visible as a subculture in our society, in part because of their taste in music and fashion. You can find out more about goth culture in the following YouTube video featuring an author of a “gothica” encylopedia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5t4fQrRO1U – Identify another subculture in today’s society. – In which ways might your selected takes. subgroup’s values oppose dominant culture?

Nigeria is made up of a lot of subcultures. The Igbos are the people of eastern Nigeria and these people really love money a lot. They are industrious and hardworking; they can go to any extent in other to rich. This might be good until some people can keep up with their mates, they divert to other means to make money which most times are through crimes. The view of the Igbo is to make money no matter what it . Many of these people do not believe in higher learning, after high school the next thing is to find a means to make money. Other cultures believe that money is the root of evil but the people of Igbo believe that not getting money is root of all evil

Discussion 2: 1 paragraphs

1) Why is culture a more effective strategy for survival than reliance on instinct? Culture allows people to work together as a league. It is easy for me to relate this kind of system to the Functionalist theory we learned about in the last lesson. Without the rest of the league, one is left to hunt for himself, leaving himself more vulnerable to the elements of natural selection. Being part of a culture significantly reduces that risk.

2) What are some examples of symbols that different groups of people interpret differently? When I think about this question the first symbol that comes to my mind is our nations flag. As americans we look at the flag and usually see joy and pride. Other cultures could look at this flag and see fear or maybe even sadness. Another one could be the peace sign made by holding up two fingers, we see a greeting or goodbye, possibly an annoying selfie pose. Other cutlers could take offense to this gesture.

3) Provide examples of mores and folkways that you learned when growing up. Some folkways I practiced growing up were the commons like saying please and thank you, waiting for everyone to be seated at the dinner table to begin eating, giving way to people when walking in crowded areas, and acknowledging people when driving down the road with the two finger wave.

4) How has the virtual culture impacted you? The virtual culture has impacted me in many ways. For one, taking this online class vs taking a face to face class. Also friends don’t send letters anymore but we send Facebook messages and invites. Staying in touch has a whole new meaning to it. My family can see how big Ive grown from being a little girl by adding me as a friend on Facebook.

6) Goths are visible as a subculture in our society, in part because of their taste in music and fashion. You can find out more about goth culture in the following YouTube video featuring an author of a “gothica” encylopedia:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5t4fQrRO1U – Identify another subculture in today’s society. – In which ways might your selected subgroup’s values oppose dominant culture?

The subculture I chose to right about is country people. They tend to build stuff on their own vs buying it. Normally were raised in a small town environment and have good manors. They like a different kind of music and even dress differently. Work and education are different values to them, even the vehicles they tend to drive. I don’t think one subculture dominates over another culture, they’re just different ways of life.

-Shelby

 

Resources:

“Culture and the Evolution of the Human Social Instincts” www.robboyd.abca.asu.edu 1 October 2015 http://robboyd.abcs.asu.edu/WennerGren0305.pdf

 
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