Cultural Values

Definition

Cultural values are the deeply held beliefs, principles, and ideals that shape the attitudes, behaviors, and priorities of a particular cultural group. They serve as the foundation for how individuals within that culture perceive the world and interact with one another.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cultural values are often deeply ingrained and passed down through generations, shaping the collective identity and social cohesion of a cultural group.
2. The concept of cultural values is closely tied to the idea of the 'winkiness of culture,' which emphasizes the complex, multifaceted, and often subtle nature of cultural influences.
3. The anthropological study of sport throughout time has revealed how cultural values can be reflected in the games, rituals, and competitive activities of different societies.
4. Understanding cultural values is essential for effective cross-cultural communication and collaboration, as it helps individuals navigate the nuances of cultural differences.
5. The preservation and transmission of cultural values are often seen as crucial for maintaining the unique identity and heritage of a cultural group in the face of globalization and societal change.

Review Questions

• Explain how cultural values shape the attitudes and behaviors of individuals within a cultural group.
  • Cultural values serve as the foundation for how individuals within a cultural group perceive the world and interact with one another. These deeply held beliefs, principles, and ideals influence the attitudes, behaviors, and priorities of the group, guiding what is considered acceptable, desirable, or important. For example, the cultural value of collectivism in many Asian societies shapes individual behaviors to prioritize the needs of the group over personal interests, in contrast to the more individualistic cultural values found in Western societies.
• Describe how the concept of the 'winkiness of culture' relates to the understanding of cultural values.
  • The 'winkiness of culture' refers to the complex, multifaceted, and often subtle nature of cultural influences, including the role of cultural values. This concept highlights the challenge of fully comprehending the depth and nuance of cultural values, which are deeply embedded within a society and can be difficult to observe or articulate. Understanding the 'winkiness of culture' is crucial for anthropologists and researchers studying the ways in which cultural values shape the beliefs, practices, and social dynamics of different cultural groups over time.
• Analyze how the anthropological study of sport throughout time has revealed the ways in which cultural values are reflected in the games, rituals, and competitive activities of different societies.
  • The anthropological study of sport has provided valuable insights into how cultural values are manifested in the games, rituals, and competitive activities of various societies throughout history. For example, the emphasis on teamwork, cooperation, and community in many traditional sports reflects the cultural values of collectivism, while the individualistic nature of certain modern sports may align with more individualistic cultural values. Additionally, the ritualistic and symbolic elements of some sports can be seen as expressions of a culture's religious beliefs, social hierarchies, and other fundamental values. By examining the role of sport in different cultural contexts, anthropologists can gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between cultural values and human behavior.

Related terms

Cultural Norms: The unwritten rules and expectations that guide socially acceptable behavior within a cultural context.

Cultural Worldview: The unique lens through which a cultural group perceives and interprets the world around them, influencing their values, beliefs, and behaviors.

Cultural Relativism: The principle of understanding and evaluating cultural practices within the context of the originating culture, rather than from the perspective of one's own cultural biases.