Culture refers to the set of ideas, attitudes, behaviors, and traditions that exist among a large group of people. Ideas can be passed from generation to generation and can withstand change over time.
The world is full of diverse cultures, each with its own customs. For example, in some parts of the world you may find that people physically get closer to each other in social settings, while in others it is considered polite to keep your distance from others. increase. These contrasting practices show interesting and diverse cultural differences around the world.
Culture and psychology are intertwined in many ways. Because culture inspires values, expectations and relationships. Increased cultural awareness helps people understand what is acceptable in society and what behaviors should be avoided. We seek to understand the intersection of culture and psychology.
Culture as Adaptation
When we talk about culture, what we usually mean is that people are more likely to acquire the necessary knowledge of the natural environment in which they live. This awareness helps us survive under different types of conditions while adapting to other challenges and problems.
It is not so easy to predict all kinds of possible difficulties in human life. That is why those who think that being culturally strong is enough can be wrong. It becomes rather important to share important information between members of the chosen culture and to promote the spread of this culture among others.
Culture allows people to rely on the same rationales and requirements to adapt to a necessary environment. It is no exaggeration to say that culture is the key to how humans survive in modern society, and it is not surprising that adaptation is seen as an important way culture influences human life. is not.
culture and psychology
Values are the basic beliefs by which people function. Every culture in the world has its own values, traditions and ideals. Honest execution of the values over time ensures that the values continue. This continuity also separates values from simple beliefs, ideas, and opinions.
A psychological concept called cultural universalism explains that humans create cultures according to their survival needs. Only humans rely on culture, not instinct, to ensure survival. Cultural relativism tells us that each culture has its own set of values, traditions, and ideals.
Judgments about what is right or wrong are sometimes based on certain cultural values. It’s important to understand that values emphasize preferences, guide choices, and indicate what is worth in life. Values help define the characteristics of a culture, but they prescribe what should be done, not how.
Values provide a view of ideals and serve as standards for maintaining a good social life. All kinds of groups, regardless of size, have their own values, norms and sanctions. While it may seem obvious that values are rooted in the culture from which they originate, they are not always operated that way.
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Culture helps organize human life
Another exceptional way that culture influences human life is through its ability to organize relationships between people and norms according to their way of life. Since belonging to a particular group is an almost unavoidable characteristic of a human being, a person should organize his life, interests and duties according to the norms set by his culture.
Cultural influence on human life means everyone who values, expects, and is involved in being used by individuals to communicate, collaborate, and adequately express their ideas. Cultural awareness teaches what behaviors are acceptable and what behaviors are avoided in society, learning how to build relationships and what steps need to be taken to achieve set goals. can understand what to do.
Different categories of cultural values
Cultural values can be grouped into six basic categories:
- ethics
- aesthetics
- doctrinal
- congenital / congenital
- Unused/Passive
- potential
In many multicultural societies, cultures can clash. This happens when members of a culture think their way is the only way. In fact, there are many different cultural ways to achieve the same goals and live your own life.
Conflicts may involve ethnocentrism, which often involves one culture acknowledging the existence of the other and believing in the best way to do so, while the other is less valued by other cultures. Occurs when The idea of cultural contingency may be an appropriate response in a multicultural world, and cultural values should be seen as valid options for individuals as well.
Role of the psychologist
Psychologists have a key role in navigating cultural values in many aspects of their work. They are encouraged to develop a deep understanding of their cultural values and how they relate to their profession and global context. Additionally, psychologists are expected to be mindful of their own cultural biases. In situations where cultural values could be potentially harmful, clients are advised to refer them to culturally competent professionals. This ensures that clients receive appropriate support and care that respects their cultural background.
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In addition, psychologists must learn about their clients’ cultural values in order to make them easier to treat as strengths rather than weaknesses. For example, a psychologist may involve cultural leaders in treating various clients. The idea of cultural competence is often extended to other specialties such as teaching, education, consulting and research.
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Culture and human psychology are deeply intertwined. Enforcing cultural norms plays a big role in how the human mind works and how we live our daily lives. Psychologists can step in and get people to think holistically about culture and how it empowers them and helps them rather than restricting them.
The Chitkara School of Psychology and Counseling focuses on the research and application of psychology and counseling in multicultural settings. It offers a comprehensive program to give students an in-depth understanding of the theories, principles and methodologies of psychology. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of cultural factors in shaping human behavior and mental processes. Students are encouraged to explore how culture influences individual and collective identities, social norms, and psychological well-being.
