Cultural refers to human activities and ways of living that are influenced by social, economic and political forces as well as the environment. People have a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, beliefs and practices. While it’s impossible to say that one culture is better or worse than another, it’s common for people to associate their own cultural heritage with a specific place and time in history.
In the field of education, the term “cultural” may be used to describe a school’s emphasis on student learning through a wide variety of academic and non-academic activities. These activities often include music, art, sports and languages. They also include educational programs that help students develop a more global perspective by encouraging them to interact with other cultures. In addition to academics, modern-day parents want their children to be well-rounded individuals, and they seek schools that are able to provide them with an all-round education.
The word culture comes from the Latin root cultura, meaning “a cultivation.” Throughout history, people have attempted to cultivate the soul and mind through different cultural traditions and events. In the fields of anthropology, sociology and history, the study of culture is a valuable tool for understanding how people around the world live and why they act as they do.
When referring to a specific culture, the word usually refers to the broad tendencies of a group toward certain states of affairs over others (good-evil, right-wrong, natural-unnatural). These core tendencies are reflected in a culture’s values and can be seen in its symbols, heroes and rituals. However, these are often only visible to insiders, and their true meaning is intangible.
A number of schools of thought in the social sciences have developed theoretical perspectives on the nature of culture, including Marxism and critical theory. Cultural materialism, for example, maintains that human symbolic culture is a natural byproduct of evolved biological dispositions.
It is also important to remember that while some cultures are very similar to each other, it’s important not to stereotype people from other cultural backgrounds. Having one opinion about a person’s background can limit his or her opportunities at work and may even lead to prejudice. It’s important to research a particular culture and make an effort to communicate with those who come from it.
Many companies encourage their employees to participate in cultural activities as a way to improve cross-cultural awareness. This can include arranging training classes that cover topics such as business etiquette and communication skills for other cultures. Companies may also use surveys and open discussions to encourage their employees to learn about the cultures of people they work with. This can help to prevent misunderstandings and promote more harmonious workplaces. Providing cultural awareness training can also be beneficial to employees who are relocated or assigned to work with people from other countries or regions.