What is Culture Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

What is Culture - Assignment Example Culture is shared by a certain and specific group. It is shared through social interaction. For example, the parenting style of my parents may impact my own parent style. Culture changes over time, it is dynamic and diverse. Culture is an important part of anthropological research as it provides the basis of understanding the development of human life. As an integral part of one’s life, culture can help researchers explain the impact of the different changes in the society over time. Generalized, balanced, and negative reciprocity – Reciprocity is the mode of exchange. Generalized reciprocity involves exchanges between closely related people and it functions to establish personal relationships (Haviland, 2008). The return of the exchange is not immediate and there is less expectation that a return will happen. Example, my friend treats me dinner for my birthday, there may be expectation that I will treat her on her birthday too. Balanced reciprocity is an exchange of eq ual values (Haviland, 2008).. Example, I will give you 3 books and you will give me 3 books that I don’t have but with the same author. The transaction is immediate. Negative reciprocity involves profit, meaning one party gets more than the other (Haviland, 2008).. This is like barter. ... Usually, the difference between both families depends on how they live or associate together. Our family consists of both nuclear and extended families. We have an aunt living with her husband and children alone, away from everyone else. We have an uncle who lives with his wife’s parents and siblings. Understanding the family structure is important in anthropological research because it sheds light to its influence in the development of the society. Kinship – Kinship is the relationship between people through shared characteristics or through cultural arrangements (Ferraro & Andreatta, 2008). It is the basis for forming social groups and for classifying the different roles and categories of individuals. Through kinship, there are different things that can be transferred or transmitted. It may be goods, values or behavior. Kinship may be by blood or by law. The study of kinship is important for anthropological research because it helps researchers understand how it affec ts culture. It is also important because it affects social relationships, such as friendship and marriage. How a kinship works can be seen through inheritance. Most often, the closest kin, such as the spouse or children, gets all or more inheritance compared to distant relatives, such as the children of the cousin. Example, understanding the relationship between my parents and my grandparents may explain my parents’ parenting style. Norms vs. transgressions – Norms and transgressions differentiate the different behaviors in the society. A norm is the expected action or behavior. Example, as a child I am expected to respect my parents, such as say thank you, ask for permission to go out with my friends and not lie to them. Most norms are usually implicit or