Heredity vs. CultureStudent Notes

Ms. Blackhurst

Sociology

Chapter 5

What is culture?

• Knowledge, values, customs, and physical objects that are shared by members of a society

• Culture defines how members in a society behave in relation to others and to physical objects

• Unlike most animals, human behavior is LEARNED and based on our culture

Sociological Traits

• These traits can change with time

• These traits may not apply to all cultures

Role of HeredityWhy is culture more important than

instinct in humans?• Instincts—innate (unlearned) patterns of

behavior

• Nonhuman animals are highly dependent on instinct to survive

• Instincts are not enough to solve the problems that humans face

• Humans rely mainly on culture to learn how to think, feel, and behave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrNBEhzjg8I&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Nature vs. Nurture• Monkeys were given 2 mothers a wire

framed mom and soft terrycloth mom.• When monkeys ate they had to get food

from the wire frame mom• When monkeys were scared they would

take refuge with the soft terrycloth monkey. Hence the socialization between mother and child is not made by feeding but through physical contact.

Nature vs. Nurture• Isolated monkeys could not function well

in monkey communities as adults. They were rejected by other monkeys.

• When made mothers, the isolated monkey mothers were brutal mothers; kicking, hitting, and trying to crush the babies.

• Different time tables of isolation provided different results. Suggesting a critical time period for socialization to take place.

Role of Heredity

• Genetics also play a role in human behavior

• Nature vs. Nurture• About ½ (50%) of your personality is

determined by your genetic make-up (biological factors) and the remaining ½ (50%) is determined by your environment (sociological factors)

• Based on Twin Studies

Role of Heredity

• Reflexes – simple, biologically inherited, automatic reactions to physical stimuli

ex: a baby cries when pinched

pupils contract in bright light

• Drives – impulses to reduce discomfort

Ex: We want to eat, drink, sleep, and associate with others

Role of Heredity

• These genetically inherited personality traits do not control human behavior

e.g. Some cultures teach boys not to cry in pain while other cultures encourage more expression of pain

Identify which of the following are: Drives (D), Reflexes (R), Instincts (I), and creations of Culture (C)

• eye blinking in a dust storm _________

• need for sleep ___________________

• reaction to a loud noise ____________

• socialism _______________________

• reproduction_____________________

• racial inequality___________________

Identify which of the following are Drives (D), Reflexes (R),

Instincts (I), and creations of Culture (C)

• eye blinking in a dust storm -- REFLEX

• need for sleep -- DRIVE

• reaction to a loud noise -- REFLEX

• socialism – CULTURE

• Reproduction -- INSTINCT

• racial inequality -- CULTURE

Socialization

• Process through which individuals learn basic skills, values, beliefs, and behavior appropriate for society

• Are we socialized by our genetics or by our culture?

• What did John Locke believe?– Every child born with no personality, this

develops through their experiences

Think about…

…your personality.

Did it come from nature or nurture?

Genie Video Clip