Wow! eBook
Culture as Embodiment: The Social Tuning of Behavior
Author(s): Paul Voestermans (Author), Theo Verheggen (Author)
- Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
- Publication Date: 27 Sept. 2013
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 344 pages
- ISBN-10: 1119961882
- ISBN-13: 9781119961888
Book Description
Culture as Embodiment utilizes recent insights in psychology, cognitive, and affective science to reveal the cultural patterning of behavior in group-related practices.
- Applies the best of the behavioural sciences to contemporary issues of behavioural cross-fertilization in global exchange
- Presents an original theory to be used in the gender and integration debates, about what the acceptance of newcomers from different cultural backgrounds really entails
- Presents a theory that is also applicable to youth culture and the split in modern society between underclass, modal class, and the elite
- Contains an original approach to the persistence of religion, and relates religious thought to the cognitive capacity of generic belief
Editorial Reviews
Review
“What I liked most about Culture as Embodiment is its positioning of psychological principles and behavioral patterns within the context of everyday life. This aspect of the book should not come as a surprise, given its focus on culture. But it is noteworthy, nonetheless, because in covering what are at times quite abstract concepts in psychology and beyond (e.g. metaphorical reasoning) the authors manage to force readers to traverse multiple terrains across history, economics, political science, and anthropology.” PsycCritiques, July 2014
“In sum, with rich analyses and admirable aims, Culture as Embodiment reimagines what a psychological science of culture can mean for the 21st century, providing a compelling alternative to prevailing cultural psychological theories.” Theory and Psychology, July 2015
Review
Voestermans and Verheggen provide a thorough critique of superficial views that treat culture as an invisible determinant of human behavior―analogous to the way magnetism determines the behavior of iron filings. Their perspective is integrative, seeking to link the biological and social levels, as well as interactionist, focusing on the ways that members of primary groups relate to each other. This book will be invaluable to researchers in academic disciplines such as anthropology, organizational behavior, psychology, and sociology as well as to those who are vitally interested in the ways that cultural influences shape the development and constrain the application of a wide variety of public policies.
―Professor Michael K. Lindell, Texas A&M University
Yet another book on culture? If the reader thinks he or she has read too many already, think again! Readers interested in the subject, whatever their perspectives or backgrounds, will find a fresh look at the subject with much to stimulate their thinking and emotions. The book views it through the unique prism of behavioral patterns embedded in specific social categories―including gender, status, age, ethnicity, and religion. Its breadth and scope, variety of theoretical terrains and illustrative examples explored, and the stark nature of the argument provides a fascinating paradigm for understanding globalization and its cultural discontents.
―Khaled Adham, Associate Professor, UAE University
This book, written in a fascinating and powerful style, offers a revolutionary perspective on what culture is, how it is formed, and how it shapes behavior. It should be read by everyone who takes culture seriously.
―Professor Zeynep Kiziltepe, Boðaziçi University, Istanbul
In this thoughtful and thought-provoking study, the authors present a refreshing and genuinely new theory of culture that is more bottom-up than top-down, that is rooted in habits rather than the result of normative coercion. Their theory cannot be categorized as purely psychological or sociological, because it is a challenge to both disciplines. Voestemans and Verheggen re-examine existing social theory as well as pressing contemporary issues to offer a bold and new way of thinking about them.
―Stjepan Mestrovic, Texas A&M University
This work takes a fresh look at what we mean by culture and analyzes the way in which psychology and culture have passed each other by on so many occasions. Voestermans and Verheggen show us how socially patterned behavior can meaningfully and usefully enhance an understanding of culture not as a mysterious entity but rather as a human accomplishment. A work of profound insight, this book is a valuable tool in helping us grapple with the deep cultural dislocations of the present.
―Henderikus J. Stam, Editor: Theory & Psychology
From the Inside Flap
Utilizing the most recent insights in psychology, cognitive, and affective science, Culture as Embodiment reveals the true cultural patterning of behavior in group-related practices. Refuting longstanding notions that culture alone is responsible for group behavior, cultural psychology experts Voestermans and Verheggen cogently argue that behavioral science must first specify precisely what the notion of culture consists of, in terms of concrete empirical evidence. The authors proceed to lay out a coherent set of perspectives on the social tuning of the body, behaviour, feeling, and cognition to reveal that we call culture is actually an embodied affair, to be observed in recognizable practices among group members. Their conclusions are supported through lengthy analyses of key domains of human behavior, including gender and male-female power relations, class and age differences, ethnicity, and religious faith. Thought-provoking and timely, Culture as Embodiment offers original and indispensable insights into our understanding of the forces that shape behavior in the 21st-century globalized world.
“Voestermans and Verheggen provide a thorough critique of superficial views that treat culture as an invisible determinant of human behavior – analogous to the way magnetism determines the behavior of iron filings. Their perspective is integrative, seeking to link the biological and social levels, as well as interactionist, focusing on the ways that members of primary groups relate to each other. This book will be invaluable to researchers in academic disciplines such as anthropology, organizational behavior, psychology, and sociology as well as to those who are vitally interested in the ways that cultural influences shape the development and constrain the application of a wide variety of public policies.”
Professor Michael K. Lindell, Texas A&M University
“Yet another book on culture? If the reader thinks he or she has read too many already, think again! Readers interested in the subject, whatever their perspectives or backgrounds, will find a fresh look at the subject with much to stimulate their thinking and emotions. The book views it through the unique prism of behavioral patterns embedded in specific social categories – including gender, status, age, ethnicity, and religion. Its breadth and scope, variety of theoretical terrains and illustrative examples explored, and the stark nature of the argument provide a fascinating paradigm for understanding globalization and its cultural discontents.”
Khaled Adham, Associate Professor, United Arab Emirates University
“This book, written in a fascinating and powerful style, off ers a revolutionary perspective on what culture is, how it is formed, and how it shapes behavior. It should be read by everyone who takes culture seriously.”
Professor Zeynep Kiziltepe, Boðaziçi University, Istanbul
From the Back Cover
Utilizing the most recent insights in psychology, cognitive, and affective science, Culture as Embodiment reveals the true cultural patterning of behavior in group-related practices. Refuting longstanding notions that culture alone is responsible for group behavior, cultural psychology experts Voestermans and Verheggen cogently argue that behavioral science must first specify precisely what the notion of culture consists of, in terms of concrete empirical evidence. The authors proceed to lay out a coherent set of perspectives on the social tuning of the body, behaviour, feeling, and cognition to reveal that we call culture is actually an embodied affair, to be observed in recognizable practices among group members. Their conclusions are supported through lengthy analyses of key domains of human behavior, including gender and male-female power relations, class and age differences, ethnicity, and religious faith. Thought-provoking and timely, Culture as Embodiment offers original and indispensable insights into our understanding of the forces that shape behavior in the 21st-century globalized world.
“Voestermans and Verheggen provide a thorough critique of superficial views that treat culture as an invisible determinant of human behavior – analogous to the way magnetism determines the behavior of iron filings. Their perspective is integrative, seeking to link the biological and social levels, as well as interactionist, focusing on the ways that members of primary groups relate to each other. This book will be invaluable to researchers in academic disciplines such as anthropology, organizational behavior, psychology, and sociology as well as to those who are vitally interested in the ways that cultural influences shape the development and constrain the application of a wide variety of public policies.”
Professor Michael K. Lindell, Texas A&M University
“Yet another book on culture? If the reader thinks he or she has read too many already, think again! Readers interested in the subject, whatever their perspectives or backgrounds, will find a fresh look at the subject with much to stimulate their thinking and emotions. The book views it through the unique prism of behavioral patterns embedded in specific social categories – including gender, status, age, ethnicity, and religion. Its breadth and scope, variety of theoretical terrains and illustrative examples explored, and the stark nature of the argument provide a fascinating paradigm for understanding globalization and its cultural discontents.”
Khaled Adham, Associate Professor, United Arab Emirates University
“This book, written in a fascinating and powerful style, off ers a revolutionary perspective on what culture is, how it is formed, and how it shapes behavior. It should be read by everyone who takes culture seriously.”
Professor Zeynep Kiziltepe, Boðaziçi University, Istanbul
About the Author
Paul Voestermans is Emeritus Associate Professor in Cultural Psychology at Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. He also taught at the Bogaziçi University in Istanbul. He has contributed articles on culture and behaviour in Theory & Psychology, New Ideas in Psychology, and has written several books in the field.
Theo Verheggen is Associate Professor in Cultural Psychology and History of Psychology at the Open Universiteit Nederland. He has published several articles on the development of an enactive perspective for cultural psychology in various books and journals.
