Understanding Cultural Values: Functions and Impact
Functions of Cultural Values
Cultural value patterns shape how we evaluate our own behavior and the behavior of others. They serve several key functions:
- Identity Meaning Function
- Sense-Making/Explanatory Function
- Boundary Regulation Function
- Adaptational Function
Identity Meaning Function
Culture plays a vital role in answering the fundamental question: “Who am I?” Cultural beliefs, values, and norms provide meaning to our identities. For instance, in mainstream U.S. culture, middle-class values often emphasize individual initiative and achievement. Success is often measured by personal initiative and subsequent material rewards. The very definition of a “successful,” “competent,” or “worthwhile” person is rooted in a culture’s core values.
Consider other cultures: In Chinese culture, a “worthwhile” person consistently respects their parents and prioritizes family needs. In Mexican culture, a “well-educated” person demonstrates respect and dignity in social interactions, reflecting their upbringing.
Therefore, labeling a child as “without education” implies a lack of parental instruction regarding respectful treatment of others.
Explanatory Function
Culture fulfills our need for belonging, creating a comfort zone. Within our own cultural group, we experience safety, inclusion, and acceptance. We don’t need to constantly justify our actions. However, interactions with dissimilar groups require more effort in explaining or defending our behavior.
Shared language, nonverbal cues, and understanding within our cultural group enable accurate interpretation of each other’s moods. Conversely, interactions with those from different cultural backgrounds often involve guesswork and increased mental energy to understand their behavior.
Boundary Regulation Function
Culture shapes our attitudes towards those who are culturally dissimilar, influencing our in-group and out-group perceptions. An attitude is a learned predisposition that affects our behavior. We tend to favor in-group interactions (groups with whom we feel emotionally close and identify strongly) and hold unfavorable attitudes towards out-group interactions (groups with whom we lack emotional ties and disagree on valued attributes).
Strong emotional reactions often arise when cultural norms are violated. Culture acts as a filter, providing safety and comfort but potentially hindering clear perception due to its protective nature.
Adaptational Function
Culture facilitates adaptation among individuals, the cultural community, and the broader environment. As people adapt to changing habitats, culture evolves accordingly. For example, societies where survival depends on hunting and fishing differ significantly from those reliant on agriculture. Agricultural cultures often emphasize cooperation, dependability, and responsibility due to the collaborative nature of farming.