Chapter 2 - Theories in Relation To Culture

Theories in Relation to
Culture
CHAPTER 2
MPU 2333 CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA
Chapter Outline
1.
Functionalist Theory
2.
Contact Theory
3.
Assimilation Theory
4.
Transactionalist Theory
5.
Pluralistic Theory
Each aspect of society is interdependent and related.
Each part is important to make sure that society

functions as a whole
Basic example: Family
Problems happen when there is inequality in class,

racial and gender lines
This problem is usually solved through education

(Cultural Diversity classes)
Emile Durkheim: Believed that when an

individual does not follow what the society
expects him to do, the treatment he gets is a
form of punishment
Religion
Education
Governme
nt
Economy
Criminal
Justice
Family
Society is stable when all parts of society is stable
Advantages of Functionalist Theory

Provides
a wide-range explanation for many

social phenomena
Allows
stability by helping in conflict, social

change and power relationships
Disadvantages of Functionalist
Theory
The
idea is too ideal and not realistic

sometimes
Puts
value in stability through agreement
Cannot
explain the existence of societies in

the first place
Contact Theory
Sometimes known as Contact Hypothesis
Made popular by Gordon Allport
Under appropriate conditions, interpersonal

contact is one of the most effective ways to
minimize prejudice between minority and
majority groups.
Equal
group
status in
the
situation
Support of
authorities,
law or
custom
Positive
effects can
only occur
if the
situation
has 4 key
conditions:
Intergroup
cooperatio
n
Common
goals
Equal Status
Minority
and majority groups have equal status
Members
should have similar backgrounds,

qualities and characteristics
Differences
in academic background, wealth,

skill or experiences should be minimized
because these qualities will influence
perceptions of prestige and rank in the group
Common Goals
Less
prejudice through contact can only happen

through active goal oriented effort
Majority
and minority group must work on a common

problem/task
The
goal can only be achieved if the members work

together to solve the problem/task
This
is done through efforts and resources
Intergroup Cooperation
Majority
and minority group must work

together for their common goals
without competition
Assimilation Theory
The
process whereby the minority group is absorbed

into the main culture
Forced Assimilation
When
majority group does not allow the

minority to practice its religion, speak
its language or follow its customs
Permissible Assimilation
Allows
the minority group adopt the majority

groups patterns in its own way and at its own
speed
Allows
blending of cultures
COMMUNICATION
Transactional Theory
Involving
two or more people that affects all

those involved in personal interaction
Considered
as an exchange of something of
value and a transaction between the
communicators
Communication
is simultaneous
At
the same time that you send messages, youre also

receiving messages from your own communications and
from the reactions of the other person.
And
at the same time that youre listening, youre also

sending messages.
In
a transactional view, each person is seen as both

speaker and listener, simultaneously communicating and
receiving messages.
More similarities in environment = easier to
communicate
Less similarities in environment = more difficult

to communicate
Pluralistic Theory
A Pluralistic society believes that the various
religious, cultural, social and racial groups
should be allowed to live together in one
society.
Pluralistic Society
Types of Pluralism
Types of Pluralism
Types of Pluralism
Enclave Minority
Has
its own neighborhood.
Relies
on a set of interconnected
businesses, usually small, for its
economic survival.
Some
of these businesses serve the

group. Some serve the larger society.
Middleman Minority
Relies
on small shops and retail but the

businesses are more distributed
throughout a large
Example
in Malaysia?
Social Groups: The Malaysian

Perspective
Malaysians
are able to
live
together with some degree of peace and

understanding
work
out rules and methods for conflict

management
engage
share
in social interaction
power
Political
Parlimentary
democracy
Periodic elections
Gives Malaysians a voice
Economic
Social
Emergence
of multi-ethnic and
educated middle class
Changed
mindsets, values, and

orientations, reflecting new sense of
confidence
Various
ethnic groups can work and live

together
Civilization
Promote
public culture of tolerance and

accommodation towards one another
Festivals
and customs of different

groups are respected
TASK: Why is Cultural Diversity important

among members of an association or society?
List 4 reasons.
1.
Introduction
2.
Methodology
3. Findings
Report
Layout
3.1 Social Structure

3.2 Social Life
3.3 Status
3.4 Social Values
3.5 Social Conduct
3.6 Social Change
4.
Recommendations
5.
Conclusion
6.
Citation
7.
APPENDIX

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Theories in Relation to

Each aspect of society is interdependent and related.

Each part is important to make sure that society

Basic example: Family

Problems happen when there is inequality in class,

This problem is usually solved through education

Emile Durkheim: Believed that when an

Society is stable when all parts of society is stable

Advantages of Functionalist Theory

a wide-range explanation for many

stability by helping in conflict, social

idea is too ideal and not realistic

value in stability through agreement

explain the existence of societies in

Sometimes known as Contact Hypothesis

Made popular by Gordon Allport

Under appropriate conditions, interpersonal

and majority groups have equal status

should have similar backgrounds,

in academic background, wealth,

prejudice through contact can only happen

and minority group must work on a common

goal can only be achieved if the members work

is done through efforts and resources

and minority group must work

process whereby the minority group is absorbed

majority group does not allow the

the minority group adopt the majority

two or more people that affects all

the same time that you send messages, youre also

at the same time that youre listening, youre also

a transactional view, each person is seen as both

Less similarities in environment = more difficult

its own neighborhood.

of these businesses serve the

on small shops and retail but the

Social Groups: The Malaysian

together with some degree of peace and

out rules and methods for conflict

mindsets, values, and

ethnic groups can work and live

public culture of tolerance and

and customs of different

TASK: Why is Cultural Diversity important

3.1 Social Structure

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