Morphology of culture. Lecture 2

1.

Cultural studies
LECTURE 2
MORPHOLOGY OF CULTURE
P H D , A S S I S TA N T- P R O F E S S O R
Z H A N AT D O S K H O Z H I N A

2.

Presentation outline
Space and Time in culture
Case study: Time concept
Monochronic and Polychronic Time
Discussion
Time concept summary
Defining Cultural Space
Postmodern Cultural Space
Sense of Space
Hofstede`s cultural dimensions
Case study: Kazakhstan`s indexes
Socio-cultural types in modern Kazakh culture

3.

ICEBERG MODEL

4.

Space and Time in culture
Time is a single nonverbal element
Time concept of culture answers on next question: What is the focus of human life?
On the past (cultures where traditions and ancestors are highly valued)
On the present (cultures that have no traditions and do not believe in destiny)
On the future (unknown are always better than the past, changes are always good)

5.

Case study: Time concept
USA - Money never sleeps, 24/7
Italy, Spain, Greece – Siesta
Kazakhstan - Long lunch break time (state organizations), etc.
The evaluation of time and its understanding is one of the most important
culture`s characteristics

6.

Monochronic and Polychronic Time
M-time people
P-time people
organize their lives around time by relying heavily on
timekeeping instruments like clocks, calendars,
computers and cell-phone reminders
do many things simultaneously, more concerned with
people and the present moment than with schedules
emphasize schedules, the segmentation of time, and
promptness
believe that they are in command of
time rather than being controlled by it
one thing at a time
several things at once
Very tangible; speak
of time as being saved, spent, wasted, lost,
made up, crawling, killed, and running out
Appointments are not taken as seriously
and, as a consequence, are frequently broken
Time is arbitrary and imposed
Matters seem in a constant state of flux
Time is woven into the fabric of existence, it determines
and coordinates everything people do. In fact, social and
business life, even one’s sex life, is commonly scheduledominated
Nothing is solid or firm, particularly plans for the future,
even important plans may be changed right up to the
minute of execution
Oriented to tasks, schedules, and procedures
Oriented to people

7.

Continued…
M-TIME IS MALE TIME
P-TIME IS FEMALE TIME
men as a group tend to be more task
oriented, whereas women’s lives center on
networks of people and their relations with
people
traditionally, a woman’s world is a world of
human emotions, of love, attachment, envy,
anxiety, and hate

8.

Discussion
1. What are strengths and weaknesses of both M-time and P-time systems?
2. Have you ever observed conception of M-time or P-time being acted out in your culture?
If so, how?

9.

Time concept summary
All cultures with high technologies seem to in corporate
both polychronic and monochronic functions.
The point is that each does it in its own way.
When dealing with the outside world, cultures have
adopted the dominant time system, which
characterizes that world.

10.

Defining Cultural Space
Cultural space is the particular configuration of the communication (discourse) that constructs
meanings of various places…
…A cultural space is not simply a particular location that has culturally constructed meanings.
It can also be a metaphorical place from which we communicate…
…Thus, we may speak as parents, children, colleagues, siblings, customers, and a myriad of
other “places.” All of these are cultural spaces...
…Cultural spaces influence how we think about ourselves and others.

11.

Postmodern Cultural Space
Main features:
defined by cultural practices - languages spoken, identities enacted, rituals performed and they often change as new people move in and out of these spaces;
created in the Internet - chat rooms where people meet in real time and interact
primarily for recreational purposes - assuming their own or another identity;
both tenuous and dynamic;
created within existing places, without following any particular guide;
there is no marking off of territory, no sense of permanence or official recognition;
exists only while it is used.

12.

Sense of Space
1. The use of space, like other aspects of human behavior, is deeply embedded in the
core of a culture.
2. Our sense of space is directly tied to how we perceive our connection to other people
3. Space values related to collectivism versus individualism concepts

13.

Hofstede`s cultural dimensions
Power Distance
Collectivism vs Individualism
Masculinity vs Feminity
Uncertainty Avoidence
Short-term orientation vs Long-term orientation

14.

Continued
Power Distance
Collectivism
vs
Individualism
Masculinity vs
Feminity
Uncertainty
Avoidence
Short-term
orientation vs
Long-term
orientation
The degree society
is comfortable with
influencing
upwards. Accept of
inequality in
distribution on
power in society
How group
needs are
prioritized vs the
needs of person
“Masculine” cultures:
such qualities as
strength, ability to
achieve goals,
material success.
“Female” cultures:
caring about the
quality of life
Fear of innovation
and changes, back
into past for
searching Absolute
Truth
Denotes the time
orientation of
culture. LT planning
for future, ST for
past and present

15.

Case study
Define indexes of Kazakhstan by Hofstede`s dimensions

16.

Continued
Dichotomy of cultural dimensions
collectivism
individualism
So, within the framework of one culture, two opposite parameters
can be observed at once

17.

Socio-cultural types in modern Kazakh culture
Archaic
Mankurt
Marginal
Human accept value system
Human who lost his
Staying on the edge,
(group, ethnic, state)
spiritual roots, forget about “transit zone”
traditions, customs and
their meanings
Eurasian
Born as a result of
expansion
Worldview on the past
(myths, customs),
reconstruction of past
Mankurtism is the result of
external influence (colonial
politics)
Destabilization of spiritual
condition
“Broken consciousness”,
who is always between
West and East, by Hegel
Ethnocultural
consciousness is divided on
opposition such as: “we and
not we”
Absence of historical
memory
People, who left society by
their own decision or who
was separated by society
No separation, trying to
collaborate
Born as a result of value
system
Development of cultural
pluralism
As result – degeneration
Characterized for epoch of
changing
Not ability for assimilation
Collaboration of Kazakh
traditional and West
cultures