I need 3 volunteers

Are you creative? Quick-witted? Good story teller?

Transmitting Culture

A major function of the family is the transmittal (passing on) of culture.

On the slip of paper you have been given, describe a family ritual or custom that your family has handed down from past generations. What is your opinion of this custom? Do you plan on continuing the tradition?

No society could survive for more than a generation without a way to transmit knowledge, beliefs, values, and ways of behaving (cultural transmittion)

To do this we need……

COMMUNICATION

Instinctive Communication Based on a natural, almost automatic

response to a stimulus

Meaning can be understood in any culture Ex. fingernails on a chalkboard, jumping at a

loud sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrQyfjRdH

B4

Arbitrary communication Words, sounds, gestures can only be understood

if you know the culture Although within the culture, seem almost like

second nature

ex. How many words do we have to describe time intervals???

Nanosecond , moment, minute, hour, era, interim, recurrence, century, light-year, afternoon….etc.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: language is our guide to reality. How we think about a thing relates to the number

and complexity of words available to describe that thing.

Our perceptions of the world depend in part on the particular language we have learned.

When something is important to a society, its language will have many words to describe it.

Arbitrary communication

When something is important to a society, its language will have many words to describe it.

Tell your table mate: What’s the best kind of apple???

When something is important to a society, its language will have many words to describe it.

snow – Inuit (Eskimo) language has over 20 words to describe it

Symbolic communication

the ways in which symbols (words gestures, or signs) are used to transmit ideas

Ex. thumbs up sign, wave, stop sign, a wall of graffiti

Symbolic communication is NOT INSTINCTIVE

Ex. In Latin American, clapping one’s hands is a sign of disapproval

Body Language (nonverbal communication)

Communication using body movements, gestures and facial expressions

Body language can communicate without either person actually fully being aware of it

Who’s a lyin’, cheatin’, stinker head?

3 of your classmates are going to tell you a story about the best vacation they have ever been on.

Which one is lyin’?

Hide Those Lyin’ Eyes: How can you tell when someone is lying?

Paul Ekman suggests paying close attention to four elements1. Words: slip of words “he” vs. “she”

2. Voice: tone and pattern changes (gets faster or slower- may tremble – nervous laughter or extra pauses “ah” and “um”

3. Body Language: look for subtle changes like Nervous: sudden swallowing or rapid breathing (most people can’t control this) Eye contact changes “shifty eyes” or they may begin to rub their eyes nose wrinkle (like smelling something bad) Reduction of body movement (like they’re forced into a small space) Turning away physically from who they are talking to

4. Facial Expressions: seem phony or forced Ex. Real smile is relaxed and “laugh lines” around the eyes vs. phony smile

seems stiff and forced, no “laugh lines” slight downward curl of the corners of the mouth

People sometimes lie, but their body language usually tells the truth!

http://www.ted.com/talks/pamela_meerhow_to_spot_a_liar

Body Language – spot a liar 9 min.

Homework!!! Yes, my pretties…..

Observe your fellow classmates, teachers, family members, strangers on the street, etc. Identify/describe 9 examples of body language and what it communicates

Due: Monday, October 12th