Cultural Factors of Human Development

Introduction

            Culture is set of learned behavioural patterns that has been acquired by inter-generation transfer of knowledge and manifested by a group of people. It is a collective behaviour in context of ethnicity, traditions, dressing style, art & literature, language, religion, music and food etc. People live by their inherited traditional style and pattern to preserve it by systematic transmission to next generation. In digital parlance it helps in social programming of child. Culture is dynamic in its nature and universal in its individual scope i.e. an individual retains her/his culture’s footprints even after she/he remains away from it in respect of distance and time.

Factors

1.         Ethnicity & Child Rearing,

2.         Customs & Traditions,

3.         Festivals & Clothing,

4.         Art & Literature,

5.         Food & its preparation,

6.         Language & Dialects,

7.         Religion & Practices, and

8.         Music & Melody.

1.         Ethnicity & Child Rearing – Ethnicity is a broad term that encompasses cultural factors, such as religion, nationality, ancestry, dialect, cultural heritage etc. In order to be a member of a ethnic group an individual is required to follow group specific cultural traditions. The child rearing is dependent upon the ethnic code of cultural conduct where it derive its methodology from ethnicity. In response to it the child learns to respond along the lines of demands of cultural system in vogue. 

2.         Customs & Traditions – The customs are the practices of cultural patterns and traditions are the transfer of customs from one gen to next. It includes how people act, wear, eat or behave in social gathering and specific situations (During marriage & functions). For example in India, forehead decorations (Bindi and sandalwood paste) & greetings (with folded hands) style. The C&T influence cognition and physical development of child in a significant way. It is safe to say that the child’s behaviour is the product of interaction of various C & T activities. These are relatively difficult to change because individuals find psychological comfort in adhering to them.

3.         Festivals & Clothing (F&C) – The festivals and clothing style are the physical manifestation of ‘Culture’. F&C binds a cultural group into one cohesive unit. The child learns the skill of cooperation, sharing, adjustment, & collective celebration through festivals. The attachment and affiliation motives are satisfied through F&C that helps in cementing the cultural. They are important source of releasing the pent up stress and energy. Collectively the F&C aspect of culture is an important feeder of ingredients (faith, love, belongingness, brotherhood, contentment, harmony with nature, good hope etc.) that fosters the development 4.     Art & Literature (A&L) – Art and literature is considered as the mirror of a culture. The creative, beauty and entertaining feature of behaviour is addressed through A&L. It presents the contemporary image of society for all to see and reflect upon. Child is trained by the social agents in traditions of art & literature in order to preserve and propagate the culture. They inspire the generations and inculcate appreciation for the culture. A kind of internal monologue is initiated by A&L. The interaction of ideas germinates art that helps in progressive evolution of mankind.

5.         Food & its preparation – Food, its preparation and consumption pattern represents the strong cultural, geographical and social identity. It is the repository of traditions  and customs. Food influences the child’s psychological (eating meat is considered as sin in Hinduism) and physical aspects (for example Haryana with its rich food, nurture high caliber sports persons especially in contact sports like wrestling, boxing, kabaddi etc.). Levi Strauss said that “cooking food using fire is the invention which made human beings human”(www.barillacfn.com). It permanently embeds culture specific taste that influences the growth and development of a child.

6.         Language & Dialects (L&D) – These are symbols that manifest ideas and thoughts in a cultural perspective. Language, a basic instinct (Chomsky, 1960) is developed through socio-cultural interaction. L&D provides a platform to the child for reception of stimulating inputs and expression of self. The social and cultural set-up provides opportunities for learning that influences the direction and magnitude of development. According to Vygotsky the words, serve as mental tools to be used in service of self-regulation (Vallotton & Ayoub, 2011). By virtue of language individual tends to read culture specific literature which buttress the cultural bond further. Language and dialects shapes our cognition that makes us truly a human being.

7.         Religion & Practices – Religion is a organized set of regulations shaped by history, geographical location and culture. It affects psycho-physical health, social values, economics and spirituality of followers. Child learns and acquire religiosity from the society and cultural environment that complement her in most aspects (safety, health, self, hope etc.) of life. The religion is a guiding light that teaches moral values and path to social reconciliation. Swami Vivekananda said, “religion is the idea which raises the brute unto man, and man unto universal power”. The religion in its conservative form can have negative effect on the developmental aspects of human beings.

8.         Music & Melody – Music is the expression of melody of creation by human being. Interestingly human beings across the globe respond to music in universal way. Music is the non-invasive techniques that stirs and resonates in the neural mechanism. It improves intelligence, concentration, happiness, and keeps the brain healthy. Music is known to calm the mind that improves the productivity. Children who are exposed to music in their early life tends to be smarter in their future life. Music, helps students excel in the following ways (Brown, L. L. ):

            (i)        improved language development

            (ii)       small increase in IQ

            (iii)      improved test scores

            (iv)      increased brain connectivity

            (v)       increased spatial intelligence

References:

Agarwal, A. & Saxena, A. K. (2003). Psychological Perspectives in Environmental and             Developmental Issues. New Delhi: Concept Publishing.

Albert, I., & Trommsdorff, G. (2014). The Role of Culture in Social Development Over the             Life Span: An Interpersonal Relations Approach. Online Readings in Psychology and      Culture, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1057

Vallotton, C., & Ayoub, C. (2011). Use your words: The role of language in the development   of toddlers’ self-regulation. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 26(2), 169–181.         doi:10.1016/j.ecresq.2010.09.002

http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Sociocultural_factors.

(http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195396430.001.0001/             oxfordhb-9780195396430-e-5.

https://www.barillacfn.com/m/publications/pp-cultural-dimension-of-food.pdf.

https://bebrainfit.com/music-brain/

http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education/

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