Anthropology, Culture and Development

Dr. Md. Faruk Shah

Associate Professor
Department of Development Studies
University of Dhaka
&
Adjunct Faculty Member
Department of Development Studies
Bangladesh University of Professionals
 Anthropology and Culture

“Culture…is that complex whole which Features of Culture

includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, • Culture is learned
custom, and any other capabilities and • Culture is transmitted
habits acquired by man as a member of • Culture is shared
society” (Taylor, 1871:1). • Culture is based on symbol
• Culture is integrated
• Culture can be adaptive and maladaptive
Level of Culture Types of Culture
• International culture (Pizza) • Material Culture
• National culture (Pahela Baishakh) • Non-material culture
• Subculture (Caste system)
 Key Terms Related to Culture
Cultural relativism is the idea that a person's
beliefs, values, and practices should be
understood based on that person's own culture,
rather than be judged against the criteria of
another.
Culture shock is an experience a person may
have when one moves to a cultural
environment which is different from one's own.
Ethnocentrism is the act of judging another
culture based on preconceptions that are
found in values and standards of one's own
culture.
Cultural lag refers to the notion that culture
takes time to catch up with technological
innovations, and that social problems and
conflicts are caused by this lag.
 Mechanisms of Cultural Change
Mechanism of Change:
Innovation: creation of something
new (Agriculture technology) Results of Change:
Diffusion: spread of something from • Assimilation (merger)
one culture to another (Recreational) • Incorporation (Cast in India)
Migration: movement of people from • Extinction
one place to another
• Adaptation
Devolution: loss of cultural elements
(local knowledge)
“Modernization”
“Globalization”
 Forcible Change

Ways of Forcible Results of Forcible Change:

Change: • Revitalization movement
Genocide • Rebellion and revolution
Directed change
 Cultural change can be:

 Intentional or accidental
 Forward or backward looking

 Rapid or gradual

 Obvious or nearly invisible

Thank You and Questions???