Cultural perspective Introduction

CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE

Daphne  Rodríguez 4-797-2382

Introduction

Have you ever heard about what is Culture? And about the cultural perspective? Culture is undoubtedly universal; for, it forms multiple belief systems, frames perceptions, formulates understandings, and guides behaviors. Culture flows into all activities and expressions that extend below the surface and unite individuals under a communal sense of self.

Key words:  Culture, perspective, explicit, tacit, implicit, functionalist, interpretive, conflict, tangible, Perceptions, beliefs, values, and attitudes

Cultural Perspective can be defined as: “Cultural perspective refers to the way that individuals are shaped by their environments as well as social and cultural factors. Such factors include a person’s nationality, race and gender.” Reference.com.  This is an important concept in social sciences because it is important to consider how an individual or group may perceive something based on the cultural and societal norms that they are used to.

There some Differences between French and American child-rearing practices that Wylie and Briere, 1995 did:

• According to Wylie and Briere, 1995.

• “French perceive that humankind contains both good and evil, and that children therefore need the guiding hand of rational adults in order to prepare them to participate properly in society, to bring out the positive in them and control their innate negative tendencies.”
• “Americans, in contrast, tend to view humankind as basically good, and are consequently more tolerant of children finding their own way, learning from mistakes, trusting them to do what is right.”

Perspective are the Explicit and implicit meanings shared by members of the culture, manifested in products and practices.

• Reflect members´ perceptions of the world, the beliefs and values that they hold, and the norms, expectations and attitudes that they bring to practice.
• A combination of perceptions, values, beliefs, and attitudes.

There are some Orientations to perspective, or views of culture that are:  Functionalist, interpretive, and conflict. And also, the cultural perspective is: Products, practices, persons, communities and perspectives which is divided into: perceptions, beliefs, values, attitudes.

The Explicit and tacit perspective are tangible, Perceptions, beliefs, values, and attitudes can be explicitly stated in oral or written form. Also, explicit and tacit are expressed through; Saying, proverbs, creeds, proclamations, myths, Mottoes, principles, guidelines, mission, statements, scholarly studies, cultural studies.

In the fields related to the study of culture, there are numerous view, of the content and nature perspectives. It has many meanings; (NSFLEP, 1999), Meanings,  attitudes, values, ideas; (Weaver, 1993) Beliefs, values, thought patterns; (Althen, 1988) Values and assumptions; (Damen, 1987) Values, beliefs, attitudes, assumptions; (Stewart and Bennet, 1991) Cultural patterns; (Singer, 1987) Perceptions, values, attitudes, belief/disbelief system; (Hofstede) Value dimensions; (Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck) Value orientations.

Some definition of perceptions, beliefs, values and attitudes

• Perceptions: What we perceive, what we ignore, what we notice or disregard
• Beliefs: What we hold to be true or untrue.
• Values: what we hold to be right/wrong, good/evil, desirable/undesirable, proper/improper, normal/abnormal, appropriate.
• Attitudes: Our mental and effective dispositions – our frame of mind, Our Outlook-charged with feeling or emotion.

The Tacit and Explicit Perspective

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Opinion

        cultural perspectives are how our culture influences the way in which we learn and think

Conclusion

Cultivating cultural perspective is an important step in developing intelligent and agile social skills that create value in our organizations. Workplaces rely on our ability to forge strong relationships, both internally and externally, to foster collaborative creativity, attract talent, retain clients and grow support.

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