Cultural PatternsCultural Universals :Lesson 3 Part 4 Cultural PatternsCultural Universals


Differences in Cultures :Differences in Cultures We already know that language affects our reality.We know that different cultures have different symbols, values, and beliefs. What else makes cultures different? What are some different cultural patterns? Individualistic v. Collectivist Does the group or individual come first? Values? Independence, duty, achievement, self-fulfillment, obligation, harmony, security, leadership. Behavior? I do things because of personal choice. I do things because it is normal for the group. Relationships? Cost v. benefit to me. Cost v. benefit to the group.


Time :Time Monochronic and polychronic (Hall) Monochronic cultures see time as linear (past, present, future). Beginning and end. Clock, calendar time is always important Life is governed by physical time Time is a commodity (wasted, used, spent)


Time :Time Polychronic cultures see time as a circle or ribbon Time passes in cycles rather than in a straight line (year, time, month) Clock time is flexible and secondary to events Personal relationships are put ahead of physical time schedules


Cultural Universals :Cultural Universals Cultural relativism v. cultural universals Everything up to this point is showing us how our different cultures make us different (language, time, etc.). Are there some things that are the same about the human experience regardless of what culture/ethnic group we belong to? Or is everything about our existence relative to culture?


Universals :Universals Functional approach. Culture is a complex strategy for meeting human needs. Some basic human needs are universal = Some cultural patterns should be universal. Family (life instinct) Funeral rights (religion) Jokes Eckman and facial expressions


A. Maslow :A. Maslow Hierarchy of needs. What do we all need to be “well adjusted” human beings? Physical needs, safety and security, belongingness, esteem, self actualization


Archetypes :Archetypes Basic ideas/themes that appear across cultures. Cinderella, H. Alger (rags to riches). Great flood. Heroes and villains. Carl Jung – a Swedish psychologist who theorized about Archetypes. The collective unconscious – mystical notion about the universal memory of mankind. Archetypes arise from this collective unconscious. Often accessed through our dreams (dreams are full of these basic ideas/themes/images).


AST :AST Activation Synthesis Theory – claims that dreams are nothing more than random images. Pons – an ancient part of the brain that is only active during REM. Randomly sends out signals that stimulate random parts of the brain (balance/falling). This is why dreams often make little sense and are disjointed. Your higher functioning brain is trying to make sense out of these random signals. Jung – may say “why random” ? Where is a better place for the collective unconscious to be located? Ancient memories of mankind stored in the ancient part of the brain.


Villain/Shadow :Villain/Shadow According to Jung this is one archetypal image that springs from the ancient memories of mankind. Jung believed this image arises from an ancient memory stored in the collective unconscious of a time when we were regularly hunted/stalked by animals.


Joseph Campbell :Joseph Campbell Believed that these archetypes were universal because there are some things about human existence that are universal. We are all born, grow to maturity, become aware of our own mortality, and then grow old and die. The same experience is true for all of us regardless of culture. These commonalities regarding human existence explains those common themes and stories. A Hero With a 1,000 Faces- Campbell explored the hero archetype. Relationship with Lucas. Films are full of archetypal themes and images (may explain popularity to a degree – appeal to us on a basic level).


Characteristics :Characteristics The hero is often reluctant, an underdog. Is always on some type of quest (to find/save something/somebody). Self sacrifice for the common good. flawed (but gets past the flaw at least until the task is done). Orphan The villain is often extremely intelligent and/or very strong/powerful (not the underdog). The villain also has a flaw, this flaw causes his/her demise (hole in the armor/literal or symbolic) .


Slide 15:Not only in films do we find archetypes, but they are often exaggerated in cartoons. Super Hero and the Super Villain (evil genius).