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Explaining Human Behaviour & Culture

Explaining Human Behaviour & Culture. How the genetics & the environment affects culture. What Makes You, You?. As we know, social scientists are interested in human behaviour (HB) This lesson is about the factors that influence and shape HB

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Explaining Human Behaviour & Culture

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  1. Explaining Human Behaviour & Culture How the genetics & the environment affects culture

  2. What Makes You, You? • As we know, social scientists are interested in human behaviour (HB) • This lesson is about the factors that influence and shape HB • Anthropologists believe there are 2 components that answer this question; • Genetics AND the Environment • What is the argument for Genetics? • Consider the story of the two men below • Identical twins separated @ birth • Found out about each other when they were 32 • Education: studied/interested in forestry • Work: both became firefighters after working @ supermarkets & home repair • Interests: Wrestling, Western movies • Foods: Chinese, same beer brand • Mannerisms: identical gestures

  3. Genetic Factors • Evolutionary studies have led anthropologists to believe genetics & the environment shape human behaviour • ALL humans go through genetic cycles • Cell development & division • Believe genes are programmed @ birth to initiate ALL stages of physical, emotional, & mental development • Occur as PPL grow from conception to birth to adolescence to adulthood

  4. Environmental Factors • Can alter genetic programming (slightly) • Human ancestors evolved in a variety of climates • Living in different climates meant ancestors had to overcome new environmental factors • New factors led to 2 types of regional adjustments in human evolution • Behavioural Adjustments • Cultural responses to environmental stresses (ex: climate or changing environments that could influence food sources) • Acclimation Adjustments • Reversiblephysiological changes to environmental stress OR the ability to adapt to severe environmental situations (ex: dressing warmer in cold climates) • Inuit peoples behavoural adjustments • Why’d they occur? • Cold Climate • Adjustments included; • Special shelters (igloo’s) • Special diet (blubber based foods –seal) • Special clothing (layers of pelts etc)

  5. Environmental Factors • Example of Acclimation Adjustments • Inuit people “should” suffer from hypothermia but they don’t, why? • Bodies respond to climatic stress by adjusting our basal metabolic rate – keeps the body warmer (and occurs naturally) • People that live in the desert adjust too • Body produces more sweat, which results in evaporation & has a cooling effect

  6. Globalization: Impact on Human Behaviour • One impact on almost ALL cultures is globalization • Is an ongoing process of cultural integration between countries throughout the world • Positive Effects of Globalization • Increased Competition; technological improvements, higher quality goods • Employment Opportunities; jobs in markets that previously did not have any • Spread of Culture/Education etc. • And more… • Negative Effects of Globalization • Loss of individual cultural identities • Employment issues ; child labour, economic slavery, etc • Environmental issues; lack control policies being exploited • Health issues; rise of fast food world-wide • Many more…

  7. Let’s Discuss Globalization’s Impact on Canada • Technology: • Language: • Social Structures: • Law: • Politics: • Religion: • Rituals: • Art (includes film):

  8. Group Work • We are about to watch a video on the Chenchu people of India • You will also read an article about Bedouin people (located throughout the Middle East) • With a partner or two you will respond to the questions on the worksheet provided

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