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Cultural Diversity - Multi-Ethic Britain (2)

Culture 

Historically, the word culture has been used to describe many aspects of social life. As a result, the label 'culture' has been attached to many expressions of social life, food, arts, clothing, music, and practices. Culture has also been used to distinguish social groups in terms of language, religious beliefs, education, and other factors. Hofstede (1984, p.21) has suggested that that culture can be defined as 'the interactive aggregate of common characteristics that influence a human group's responses to its environment'. This definition makes a clear association between humans and their environment, established as an important interactive relationship, each affecting the other.

Purnell and Paulanka (1998, p.2) have defined culture as 'the totality of socially transmitted behavioral patterns, arts, beliefs, values, customs, lifeways, and all other products of human work and thought characteristics of a population of people that guide their worldview and decision making.' This definition captures the essence of culture. The transmission is from people to people, and is intergenerational.

Elsewhere, Giger & Davidhizar (1999, p.3) define culture as 'a patterned behavioral response that develops over time as a result of imprinting the mind through social and religious structures and intellectual and artistic manifestations'. This definition suggests the action or behavioural orientation of cultural influences. Building on this definition, they advance explanations about culture. Culture is shaped and in turn acts as a means of shaping our thinking and doing.

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