Culture and Social Transmission

Have you ever wondered about the origin of the popular Indo-Western costumes? Or the mixing of different cuisines in dishes such as Vegetable Manchurian? Let's find out the answers in this segment.

In the upcoming video, Dr Sen will discuss how cultures change through different processes and the modes in which culture operates.

In this video, you learnt about the social transmission of culture, which occurs in three ways: 

Cultural transmission: “Cultural transmission is the process through which cultural elements, in the form of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behavioural scripts, are passed onto and taught to individuals and groups.” Taylor M.J., Thoth C.A. (2011) Cultural Transmission.

Acculturation: “Acculturation is the process whereby the attitudes and behaviours of people from one culture change when they interact with the people of another culture.” Lim K. (2011) Acculturation.

Assimilation: “Assimilation is the process where the minority culture will be absorbed into the dominant culture until people of the minority culture adopt the dominant culture completely.” Lim K. (2011) Acculturation.

In the upcoming video, you will learn about the agents of cultural change at a global as well as national (Indian) level.

In this video, you learnt about the process of cultural change and its causes. The agents of global cultural change are as follows:

• Advancement of knowledge

• Migration

• Globalisation

• Diffusion

The agents of cultural change in India are as follows:

• Colonisation

• Nationalism

• Independence and socialism

• Urbanisation

• Globalisation

In the next segment, you will learn about the prism of Indian culture and the Indian cultural paradox.