The Amish Micro Cultural Group (PDF)

Essay from the year 2012 in the subject Sociology - Culture, Technology, Peoples / Nations, grade: B, Oxford University, language: English, abstract: In the contemporary society the concept of culture, is one that attracts diverged connotations. Nevertheless, despite the concept of globalization, which has acted as impetus to increased connectivity, in the world, leading to the emergence of global village, different groups; continue to harbor diverse cultural identities, while maintaining their identities. Indeed globalization has led to extinction of some cultures while advancing other cultures, through the concept of westernization and other cultural export concepts (Meyers, 1984). With technology, cultural exchange and export, is a reality that seeks to foster understanding of the various cultures. The concept of culture basis its origin from a Latin word Cultura, which means cultivation. However over the years, different definitions have been coined. For instance Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn advanced over 165 definitions (Weber, 1991).
The term was first used in relation to humanity by Edward B. Tylor, the famous British anthropologist in his book, Primitive Culture. Tylor accentuated that culture is "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society" (26, 1871). Nevertheless culture can either be defined as a profound taste in the various aspects of fine arts or humanities, a set of defined and share values, practices or attitudes or as an integrated system of human beliefs ,behavior or knowledge, defined by the ability to socially interact or learn .
This, study defines culture as the hereditary ideas , knowledge, values ,and beliefs, which include the collective bases of societal action (Meyers, 1984). Thus culture is comprised of behaviors, beliefs, objects, and any other characteristics, which are uniquely predominant and expressed by a specific grouping or society (Kramarae, 1981). Through culture, society defines itself and subsequently conforms to a particular shared values and norms. In this case, it includes such societal aspects such as rules, technologies, products, language, values, customs and norms.