Register to read the introduction…
Humans, in fact, cannot survive without culture. Even if we are genetically predisposed to learn, infants are born without human knowledge, beliefs and cultural behaviors. Since culture is not genetically transmitted human beings need to teach and share their culture in order to preserve it and use it. Culture is learned because is a behavior that cannot be transmitted genetically. Animal behavior, on the other hand, is influenced by genetic mechanisms (instincts). Ants for example are born genetically programmed to do their tasks, as defenders, foragers, and workers .Their roles, which never change, assure the survival of the whole colony. Instead, human culture is not passed on genetically from parents to offspring but it is socially
…show more content…
Since our social identity does not form by itself but it is created in relation to another belonging to a society, a community, a local group is a mandatory commitment. We are born into a group (our family). We go to school in groups (classes). We play sports in groups (teams). We go to church, and pray together, as a group (congregations). Through the group we define others and others define us. Cultural backgrounds, traditions, beliefs, and values also influence how we see others, and how other see us. We find ourselves in the habit of choosing among people who are like us, and being wary of people who are different. We divide people into “us” and “them”, and form groups accordingly to likeness. Cultural ignorance and prejudice greatly affect our perception of others, and influence our social …show more content…
Experiencing other cultures beforehand is the only way anyone can get away from the stereotypes, myths, and fears, we create about other cultures. Before moving to the U.S, for example, as an Italian I believed that Americans were immature, loud, wasteful, gun-loving, and materialistic people. However, after living in Miami for one year, I realized that Americans, as U.S. president Jimmy Carter once said “[are, instead,] a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” Americans are indeed a beautiful “melting pot” of optimistic, friendly, and caring people. I still cannot believe how easily I made assumptions and created negative stereotypes about people and places I only encountered in
Since our social identity does not form by itself but it is created in relation to another belonging to a society, a community, a local group is a mandatory commitment. We are born into a group (our family). We go to school in groups (classes). We play sports in groups (teams). We go to church, and pray together, as a group (congregations). Through the group we define others and others define us. Cultural backgrounds, traditions, beliefs, and values also influence how we see others, and how other see us. We find ourselves in the habit of choosing among people who are like us, and being wary of people who are different. We divide people into “us” and “them”, and form groups accordingly to likeness. Cultural ignorance and prejudice greatly affect our perception of others, and influence our social …show more content…
Experiencing other cultures beforehand is the only way anyone can get away from the stereotypes, myths, and fears, we create about other cultures. Before moving to the U.S, for example, as an Italian I believed that Americans were immature, loud, wasteful, gun-loving, and materialistic people. However, after living in Miami for one year, I realized that Americans, as U.S. president Jimmy Carter once said “[are, instead,] a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” Americans are indeed a beautiful “melting pot” of optimistic, friendly, and caring people. I still cannot believe how easily I made assumptions and created negative stereotypes about people and places I only encountered in