Culture

Winter 2007

“Culture constitutes the world in two ways. First, culture is the "lens" through which the individual views phenomena; as such it determines how the phenomena will be apprehended, and assimilated. Second, culture is the "blueprint" of human activity, determining the co-ordinates of social action and productive activity, and specifying the behaviors and objects that issue from both. As a lens, culture determines how the world is seen. As a blueprint, it determines how the world will be fashioned by human effort. In short, culture constitutes the world by supplying it with meaning" Grant McCracken 1986

Cultural System

Ecology: Adaptation to habitat Social Structure: family organization,

political power Ideology: Beliefs, values, principles, or

worldview

American Cultural Values

Material Well-Being: Life of the Jetson’s

Polarized morality Work is more important than play

American Cultural Values

Time is Money: Don’t be late Effort, Optimism, and Entrepreneurship Mastery Over Nature

For many women the two most dreaded facts of life have long been lines and wrinkles...[However] today...women need not fear the march of time. Using innovations that rejuvenate interior tissue and cell structure, research and development teams have finally found ways to slow down the skin's biological clock...As a result, women are no longer buying only dreams, but exciting realities made possible by advances in technology.

American Cultural Values

Egalitarianism: Equal opportunities and the underdog

Humanitarianism

Symbols

Symbols

Allegiance Status Affiliation: conformity v. nonconformity

Barbie

The Message

Ken is Barbie’s boyfriend. He is the most loyal boyfriend in America. This is a guy who has stood by Barbie for 35 years with absolutely no commitment from her. Well, I don’t know how she could possibly commit to a relationship, she doesn’t even know what she wants to be. One year she’s a veterinarian then she signs up as an airline pilot, in roller skates...

I think Ken has a lot to answer for. Impressionable girls are going to grow up thinking they can just run around from wonderful career to wonderful career in their underwear and slut shoes and Ken will always be there to wax the dream car, immediately available as an escort whenever she decides to have a dream date.

You notice that there has never been a golfing Ken, or an ESPN Ken, or a great big beer gut Ken, or a male pattern baldness Ken? - Laura Archer Pulfer NPR

Ritual

“The term ritual refers to a type of expressive, symbolic activity constructed of multiple behaviors that occur in a fixed, episodic sequence, and that tend to be repeated over time. Ritual behavior is dramatically scripted and acted out and is performed with formality, seriousness, and inner intensity” Dennis Rook

Ritual

"Fixing my hair is the most difficult. I spend hours- actually hours-doing my hair. IT DRIVES ME CRAZY" (female 20)

“I really hate going through the trouble of washing and drying my hair and having it sometimes look like shit when I’m through” (Male 20)

Breaking Away

“Jim is supposed to stay home and study tonight, but he's getting ready to go out anyway. He's hoping to meet some hot chicks and he wants his hair to look just right.” (male 20)

Vocational Placement and Performance

Susan is getting ready for her first presentation and she's very nervous. If it goes well, maybe her boss will help with a downpayment on a new car. (female 21)

Intimacy Aspirations

Sam's getting ready to go out and look for some heavy-duty action. Tonight he's going to the disco, where he'll pick up one, maybe two or three girls, and then take them home and who them what they've been missing (male 22).

“When I finish using my Mighty Mite I just look so good. All the girls in the office will want to play in my hair” (male 26)

Sacred and Profane

Sacred refers to that which is regarded as more significant, powerful, and extraordinary than the self. The profane, by contrast, lacks the ability to induce ecstatic, self-transcending,and extraordinary experiences.

American Culture: Sacred and Secular

“Ownership of property is biblical. Competition in business is biblical. Ambitious and successful business management is clearly outlined as a part of God's plan for His people.” Jerry Falwell

Sacred Time

“I have been to many places, but if my Utopia could look any way I wanted it to look, I’d like it to look like Disneyland. I love Disneyland, and if I could, I’d have the whole world look like Disneyland. The first time I walked into Disneyland I was so overwhelmed I started to cry. I just couldn’t believe there was any place as wonderful as Disneyland: wonderful houses, architecture, and bright colors. It’s such a happy, sunshiny place” Tammy Faye Bakker

Sacred Journey It is common for bikers to report feelings of exhilaration as

they approach a rally site and converge with fellow pilgrims. They experience “chills” as they merge with larger and larger groups of others destined for the rallies at Sturgis or Daytona. The excitement and elation builds as a biker becomes one of ten, or twenty, or even hundreds who have descended upon a dot on the map in order to share in common activities, to see and be seen, and to validate one another in their mutual commitment to the brand event that has brought them together. The feelings of community are transformational.

Sacred Place God listens to you wherever you are. It's just

that here more people want to talk to Him. In the real world they put you down. Here you are free. When you are here you can talk with Him and walk with Him. You feel a presence. You see two or three people on park benches praying for each other . If you were out in the real world praying on a park bench, they would think you were crazy (wm 18)

Sacred People

http://www.manilow.com/

Sacred Possessions “Once upon a time there was a country that

was ruled by a god named Car. In the beginning it did not amount to much. Then it came to pass that out of Michigan there came a man who took Car and said, “Let there be mass production,” and slowly Car took over the country. Car temples were built, car stables were put up and special stores sprang up where people could go and buy gifts for Car...” Mol (1976)

More Car

“Weekends became ritualistic: On Saturday the people would wash Car gently with soap and on Sunday they would pet it with a soft rag to remove any stray dust and ride around the countryside. Car ruled the country for many years, demanding annual sacrifices of several thousand people and keeping most of the people in a downtrodden state as the people tried to meet financial pledges they had made to Car.”

Sacred Experience

“To experience it is the only way to understand it” sky-diving

“If I have to explain...you wouldn’t understand.” H-D

Becoming Sacred Ritual: the home Pilgrimage: Vietnam memorial Quintessence: Coca Cola Gift-giving Contamination: Hard Rock Collecting: Mickey Mouse Inheritance External Sanction: Museum