To Do Culture vs. To Be Culture
Theory Summary
There are two types of cultural groups: a "to do" culture and a "to be" culture.
- Individuals in a "to do" culture define themselves by their work and have a mechanical view of society. If you attended a social gathering of people from a "to do" culture, individuals would introduce themselves by what they did for a living (defining their role in society). This type of culture solves problems in a very linear fashion. The use of scientific studies and logical persuasion can be used to move a discussion from point A to point B.
- The second group, a "to be" culture, defines itself in terms of relationships and geographic identity. If you attended a social gathering of people from a "to be" culture, individuals would introduce themselves by their tribe/family lines or the community they live in (defining their relationship by lineage and place). This type of culture solves problems ina circular fashion. Effective change in a "to be" culture is linked to the unique assets and organisation of the community which can be made up of the elders, the religious leaders, political leaders and more. A "to be" culture may (or may not) acknowledge the creditability of scientific information and logical persuasion. A "to be" places higher value on existing present day relationships and an individual's sense of community values. In other words, a group may decide to continue to do what they are doing in the face of a well documented problem or concern.
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