Cultural Evolution

By now we know that culture is an aspect that allows to pass on information, ideas, beliefs, etc, onto one generation to the next. As information is passed onto each generation through cultural transmission that information can be modified. This is the idea of cultural evolution. It starts with a cultural invention that can be improved upon. The easiest thing that I can think of to explain this is that thing you see absorbing all the attention of every teenager—that’s right, the cell phone! The cell phone first started out as an invention, and year after year it developed into a faster, slimmer, shiny piece of technology. I can say this for myself because I am now on my, what, 8^th cell phone? And with each new cell phone I own there is some sort of change to it that makes it better. Now, that’s not to say that some cultural invention is always improved on. In some cultures there are useless cultural events (or inventions, however you want to look at it), that for some reason seem to stick around while providing no benefit to us humans. One event that I can think of that I learned about in a Psychology course (Mechanisms of Pain) I took last term talked about a cultural event known as Hook Swinging. In some cultures a higher status person is chosen to swing above and across its community, via a string that is attached to sharp hooks that are stabbed into the back of the person. They are held up hundreds of feet in the air simply by a couple of hooks. What seems like an extremely painful event, and an even that really serves no purpose is still well alive and practiced. This is an example that can be used to show the difference between two very different forms of evolution; culture and biological evolution. Cultural events may continue even though they serve no purpose or are harmful to humans, while biological events that are harmful to humans will abruptly stop, it will not evolve into humans. An interesting concept to think about is that because of technological evolution we are now more than ever able to connect with other cultures than our own. This means that we are able to not only share the ideas/beliefs between our own people, but through to other cultures. Social transmission has spread vastly and cultures are becoming interconnected. This interconnectedness can then go on to create even more evolution because of the fact that we can share more ideas with more people allowing our psychological process to evolve and expand!

Freedom of Speech

Recently in the news we have been hearing a lot about the Charlie Hebdo cartoon incident. In brief, this incident occurred in France when the French satirical weekly magazine published an article that depicted a cartoon illustration of the prophet Muhammad. In Muslim religion it is against their religion to depict their prophet Muhammad, so when the weekly magazine published their article an uproar began. Attacks were made on the people involved with the magazine leaving some dead, and many injured. What this issue is really about is if we as humans should be allowed the freedom of speech even if it means talking down upon, judging, or disrespecting different religions. I believe that there is no correct answer to this controversy. Every person is going to have their own opinion about this. In my own opinion I believe that yes, we should have freedom of speech, but to some degree. I was watching TV this week and I can’t remember who said it, but it stuck in my head. They were reflecting on freedom of speech and said that if someone was making fun of their own mother they would give them a punch in the face. Now, I personally would never punch someone in the face, but you get the point. The point is that you shouldn't go around disrespecting each other, whether it be about one’s family, or religion. There is a fine line to freedom of speech. In my opinion, we should all be granted the freedom of speech as long as we don't cross any lines. Personally I believe that it was wrong of the Charlie Hebdo Magazine to illustrate Muhammad, but on the other hand the terrorist attacks on Charlie Hebdo were also wrong. If this were to happen again, there could be some sort of repercussion for disrespecting one’s faith, but killing should not be the punishment. Again, there is no right answer to solve this controversy, and many people have different opinions about the whole thing. Culture will shape your beliefs and your psychological processes, which is the reason why there is no correct response to this. Each person’s own culture will shape their attitudes to this situation. 

The Sound of Culture

Culture is something that provides meaning to thoughts, feelings, and actions. As humans, we are always trying to find meaning to our thoughts, and this can be understood through a cultural context. Music is one thing that I can think of that exemplifies the vast variety of cultures and how culture can create meaning. What it means for humans to have culture is to be able to share ideas, beliefs, and mental states and this can be done through music. Music is a symbol system, that is, it is a complex system of sharing meaning. When we think of music we think of many different aspects, such as the rhythm, the instruments, the lyrics, the tone, and the emotion that is evoked. Different cultures have certain ways of expressing their music, such as the different instruments that are used. For example, Western cultures may make use of guitars, while different tribal cultures may use drums throughout their song. Some cultures express music through rap, or chanting, or soft melodies, hard metal, or gospel music, etc. There are many varieties of music, each that are derived from a certain culture, and passed down from generation to generation through social transmission. The lyrics, and meaning behind the words are also being passed on,providing insight to those who listen to it. People often look to meaning for their actions and thoughts and music is an excellent way to express this. Songs are ways to express views on politics, romance, family dynamics, religion, etc. Music not only provides an example for the variety of cultures through the means of different styles of music, but it also can provide an example of how cultures have different degrees of beliefs/values/thoughts. What I am trying to get at is that one culture may highly value music, such as the aboriginal First Nations and the use of music throughout Powows, while to other cultures music is not of great significance. This example shows evidence for cultural variability among us. For many of us it is part of our daily routines, and we can often relate to the songs that we hear. In summary, and in my own opinion, I believe that music can be an extremely important factor for creating and sharing culture among humans. 

The Product of Culture

Welcome to my blog! As part of Cultural Psychology, a course at St.FX University, I will regularly blog about the impacts of culture and how it plays an important role in shaping us as humans. I am a product of my own culture. What that statement means to me is that culture, the sharing of ideas, beliefs, thoughts and technology, has morphed me into a unique individual. I have learned from the culture that I am surrounded from. My friends, my family, my peers, and even the media has passed on ideas and beliefs that ultimately affect my behavior. What makes me a unique individual is the fact that I have completely different experiences then someone else half way around the world. For example,through my own culture I identify with marriage and relationships as something that is done independently of myself through which I make my own choices as to whom I develop a relation with. On the other hand, another individual may view marriage and relationships as something that is done by the choice of her parents, a relation that is chosen for herself. These are two very different ways of viewing marriage, but are both completely normal and meaningful to each respective person who holds those beliefs. So what exactly is my culture? What is the final product that culture has shaped me to be? I am a product who is a independent woman, one of choice, who attends university, who likes poutines, who wants to own a dog, get married and have children, live in a rural area, celebrate holidays with family, travel the world and watch my children grow into their own unique self's . These are a few of my ideals, my preferences, my goals, my beliefs, and ultimately the product of my own culture.