Introduction

A. Definition of Culture
Cultures are systems (of socially transmitted behavior patterns) that serve to relate htiman
communities to their ecological settings. These ways-of-life-ofcommunities include
technologies and modes of economie organization, settlement patterns, modes oi' social
grouping and political organization, religious beliefs and practices, and so on. When cultures
are viewed broadly as behavior systems characteristic of populations, extending and
permuting .somatic givens, whether we consider them to be patterns of or patterns. behavior
is a secondary question. Culture is all those means whose forms are not under direct genetic
control which serve to adjust individuals and groups within their ecological communities
(Binford II, p, 333). The culture concept comes down to behavior patterns associated with
particular groups of people. That is to "custom" or to a peoples way of life (Harris 41. p. 16).
1. American Culture
The name "America" is often used to refer to the United States, but
until the political formation of the United States after the Revolutionary
War, this designation referred to South America only. Contemporary use
of the term to refer to the United States underlines that country's
political and economic dominance in the western hemisphere. Such use
of this designation is impolitic from the perspective of Canadians and
Latin Americans. The United States has an Anglo majority that is
politically

and

economically

dominant.

One

of

the

defining

characteristics of the country as a nation is its legacy of slavery and

the persistence of economic and social inequalities based on race. U.S.
culture has significant regional inflections. Most Americans are aware of
these differences despite the fact that these regions have experienced
economic transformations and that Americans are a mobile people who
often leave their regions of origin.
The Northeast is densely populated. Its extensive corridors of
urbanization have been called the national "megalopolis." Once a
leader in technology and industry, the Northeast has been overtaken in
those areas by California's Silicon Valley. The Midwest is both rural and
industrial. It is the home of the family farm and is the "corn belt" and

"breadbasket" of the nation. In the Great Lakes area of the upper

Midwest,

the

automobile

and

steel

industries

were

central

to

community and economy. As those industries declined, the upper

Midwest became known as the rust belt. The South was shaped by its
secession from the Union before the Civil War and is associated with
slavery and with subsequent battles over civil rights for AfricanAmericans. In contemporary terms, these are the sunshine states,
retirement havens, and new economic frontiers. The West, the last
national frontier, is associated with national dreams and myths of
unlimited opportunity and individualism. It has the nation's most open
landscapes.
2. Some Major U.S. American Values
a. Individuality
U.S. Americans are encouraged at an early age to be independent and to develop their
own goals in life. They are encouraged to not depend (too much) on others including their
friends, teachers and parents. They are rewarded when they try harder to reach their goals.
b. Privacy
U.S. Americans like their privacy and enjoy spending time alone. Foreign visitors will
find U.S. American homes and offices open, but what is inside the American mind is
considered to be private. To ask the question "What is on your mind?" may be considered
by some to be intrusive.
c. Equality: U.S. Americans uphold the ideal that everyone "is created equal" and has the
same rights. This includes women as well as men of all ethnic and cultural groups living
in the U.S. There are even laws that protect this "right to equality" in its various forms.
The general lack of deference to people in authority is one example of equality. Titles,
such as "sir" and "madam" are seldom used. Managers, directors, presidents and even
university instructors are often addressed by their first or given name.
d. Time
U.S. Americans take pride in making the best use of their time. In the business world,
"time is money". Being "on time" for class, an appointment, or for dinner with your host
family is important. U.S. Americans apologize if they are late. Some instructors give
demerits to students who are late to class, and students at most universities have
institutional permission to leave the classroom if their instructor is 10 or 15 minutes late.
e. Informality

The U.S. American lifestyle is generally casual. You will see students going to class in
shorts and t-shirts. Male instructors seldom wear a tie and some may even wear blue
jeans. Female instructors often wear slacks along with comfortable walking shoes.
Greetings and farewells are usually short, informal and friendly. Students may greet each
other with "hi", "how are you"? and "what's up"? The farewell can be as brief as: "See
you", "take it easy", or, "come by some time" (although they generally don't really mean
it). Friendships are also casual, as Americans seem to easily develop and end friendships.
B. Definition of learning
Learning is one of the most important activities in which humans engage.
It is at the very core of the educational process, although most of what
people

learn

occurs

outside

of

school.

For

thousands

of

years,

philosophers and psychologists have sought to understand the nature of

learning, how it occurs, and how one person can influence the learning of
another person through teaching and similar endeavors. Various theories
of learning have been suggested, and these theories differ for a variety of
reasons. A theory, most simply, is a combination of different factors or
variables woven together in an effort to explain whatever the theory is
about. In general, theories based on scientific evidence are considered
more valid than theories based on opinion or personal experience. In any
case, it is wise to be cautious when comparing the appropriateness of
different theories.
Understanding any theory requires a clear idea of what the theory is trying to explain. When a
particular word is used, people usually assume everyone has a common understanding of
what the word means. Unfortunately, such is not always the case. In trying to understand the
various theories of learning and their implications for education, it is helpful to realize that
the term learning means different things to different people and is used somewhat
differently in different theories.
C. Implementation American culture toward ELT