Cultural Norm Assignment cultural anthropology using book by carol r Essay

Cultural Norm Assignment cultural anthropology using book by carol r. ember Melvin Ember - Essay Example The definition of culture that relies on social groups means that it is a relative concept that varies from one cultural group to another (28). One of the major characteristics of culture is its dynamism that can be considered from two perspectives, cross sectional dynamism and dynamism. Cultural dynamism refers to transition in cultural constructs within a cultural group over a period, or across cultural groups. Dynamism within a group may for example be realized across generations while dynamism across groups identifies fundamental differences in values and practices among cultures. The dynamic feature of culture is important to anthropologists’ interest of understanding and explaining how the changes occur and driving factors behind the changes (Ember and Ember, 6). Other important characteristics of culture include mode of learning that is social, the fact that it is shared among members of a community and its associated symbols. Anthropologists therefore need to understand what culture is and how it works so that they can identify and develop meanings from the different characteristics of culture. This is particularly important with indigenous cultures whose fundamentals can be traced over time, and compared with other cultures (Anthro 1). The observed cultural norms in a nursing set up were scientific belief on causes of illness and honest expressions in communications. These two are considered norms because they are common practices that have been historically observed and considered cultural. They facilitate service delivery in the health care set up that requires cooperation between care personnel and patients. Cultural belief on causes of diseases is for example instrumental on a patient’s willingness to seek treatment and the scientific norm of causes of diseases facilitates scientific approaches towards provision of health