PSY100H1 Chapter Notes - Chapter 16: Cerebral Cortex, Human Brain, Psychologies
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PSY100H1 Full Course Notes
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Document Summary
Culture: any kind of information acquired by individuals through imitative or social learning (broader definition) Some aspects of culture are shared by other species, and some are unique to humans. Human cultural learning is extensive; pervades all aspects of our lives. All human behaviour and thought have been shaped in some way by cultural learning. Culture must have survival and reproductive value. Relation between group size in which primate species live and proportion of cerebral cortex in their brain. Human brain = adept at learning info from others. Evolution of sophisticated communication skills and a theory of mind (identify intentions of others) Language allows humans to communicate needs, describe threats or opportunities, understand complex social dynamics, and perpetuate cultural ideas. Theory of mind accumulate cultural info so it can be preserved and passed on. Cultural psychology is the study of how culture shapes psychological processes. Cultural environments = social environments on a larger scale; extends to all aspects of life.
