Handout 3a: Culture, elaborated some more

1. Culture = powerful, often unconscious, assumptions and expectations of the right, reasonable and proper. It is a system of ideas through which we interpret reality and shape behavior. (We often become aware of these assumptions and expectations only when they are violated.)

2. According to Clifford Geertz, culture is comprised of:

a. Models of reality = What is the difference between a wink, a tick, and a parody of wink or tick ?;

b. Models for action/behavior = How should I communicate a private understanding? (as in demonstrating fondness on Valentine’s day).

3. Culture:

a. Creates assumptions: what is food;

b. Shapes expectations: what will be on your plate;

c. Generates action: what to purchase at the supermarket.