Page 43 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University Unit 6: Approaches to the Study of Kinship: Cultural

Unit 6: Approaches to the Study of Kinship: Notes

Cultural

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
6.1 Characteristics of Culture
6.2 Theory Related to Growth of Culture

6.3 Evolutionism
6.4 Diffussionism
6.5 Theory of Cultural—Integration

6.6 Summary
6.7 Keywords
6.8 Review Questions
6.9 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, students will be able to:
• Know the viewpoint of kinship study.

• Study the origin, structure and period of Human Cultures.

Introduction

There is a main and most important perception of culture or cultural leadership. The main ca-
reer institution of any society or culture is family and family is a kinship group. The word ‘Cul-
ture’ is being used in many meaning. In general, the meaning of the word ‘Culture’ is used for
social elegance and intellectual excellence.
Well known critic and poet Mathew Arnold has termed ‘Culture’ as melody and light in this
sense. There are some scholars (sociologists), who use the term ‘Cultural Elite’ For the strong
leadership of the society. Philosophers like Qaseer and sociologists like Sarokin and Mac Ivero
have adopted culture in the sense that it is the moral, spiritual and intellectual achievement of
man. A philosopher and sociologist name David Bidney has defined culture as the self-search
of human nature and a resource of geographical environment.
The Sanskrit word ‘Sanskriti’ is used as the meaning of the English word ‘Culture’. Both the
words, ‘Sanskrits’ and Sanskriti’ have originated from the ‘Sanskar’, which means ‘performance
of religious rituals’. Since birth, a Hindu goes through many rituals. As a result, he gets the
approval to perform the various roles of his life (like the role of a student or husband). Thus,
culture is the informant of such life- aspect which can be obtained by fulfilling various rituals.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 37