What makes your culture different

from other cultures?

What are some of the rules of your

culture?
 Cultural origins of
behavior and cognition
What is culture?
How would you define culture?

There are over 100 definitions of culture

What is culture?
►Matsumoto (2007):
culture is a unique meaning and information system, shared by
a group and transmitted across generations, that allows the
group to:
► meet basic needs of survival
► coordinate socially to achieve a viable existence
► transmit social behaviour
► pursue happiness and well-being
► derive meaning from life.
What is culture?
►Geert Hofstede (n.d.)

►the collective programming of the mind

distinguishing the members of one group or
category of people from another.
►It guides a group of people in their daily
interactions and distinguishes them from other
groups of people.
►Italian culture – on a national level
►School culture – distinct group
Cultural norm
►A  set of rules based on socially or culturally shared
attitudes and beliefs of how an individual ought to
behave to be accepted within that group.
►Norms regulate behaviour within a group.
►Deviation from social or cultural norms:
►punished
►marginalized
►stigmatized
►written (explicit) or simply understood (implicit)
What are some of the rules of your
culture?
► Who decides who will marry whom?
► How much personal space is normal?
► What is more important, the needs of the individual or the
group?
► How important is hierarchy and authority?
► Are there specific gender roles? What are they? Who
determines them?
Having dinner in restaurant?

►Table reservation
►Number of courses
►End of dinner
►Paying bill
►Tipping
10 Strangest Delicacies In The World

https://youtu.be/C2wyaaw9aKI
Cultural differences

Surface culture Deep culture

► easily observed ► cognitive elements, values,
► behaviours beliefs
► customs ► gender roles

► traditions ► respect for authority

► architecture of a culture ► rules and concepts of social

identity and the self
► easily accessible to members
of that culture but may be
inaccessible or more difficult
to understand by non-
members
 Are these surface or deep culture?
► They are very quiet in public.  They often do not speak on public
transportation and find others that do so rude.
► Deep
► They are very private people.  It is very rare that you would be
invited to their home. Usually, you meet in a public space, like a
pub.
► Deep
► They eat a large meal for lunch and usually cold food for dinner.
► Surface
► Younger people are supposed to greet older people, and not vice
versa.
► Surface
 Are these surface or deep culture?
► You should always wish people a "good meal" before you begin to
eat. 
► Surface
► They are very punctual.  They do not like it when people are late
for appointments.
► Deep
► When giving someone flowers, never give an even number.  It is
considered unlucky.
► Surface