Cultural Force: Thinking
The cultural force of Thinking deals with decision making, logic and how we think rather than what we think. The fact is all people have ways of reasoning that…
The cultural force of Thinking deals with decision making, logic and how we think rather than what we think. The fact is all people have ways of reasoning that "make sense" to them, but may not make sense to others. These ways of reasoning can lead people to different conclusions for very different reasons. Understanding cultural norms around how people think and make decisions can help us understand other’s points of views and the logic behind their decisions when they are different from our own.
Once again, cultural anthropologist use numerous ways (and terms) to assess and study this concept. For our assessment we have chosen to look at the continuum identifying the extremes of being more Analytical compared to taking a more Holistic approach to Thinking. We define this as the tendency for people to draw conclusions through analyzing the parts versus viewing the whole.
One’s way of thinking is so basic that it is difficult to realize that people from different backgrounds can and do think differently. They can use quite different approaches to reach different (or similar) conclusions.
Some people reach conclusion intuitively, others emotionally, still others logically. Yet they all “make sense” to the person using them. While these various ways of thinking can be used by anyone, anywhere, anytime, they tend to be culturally conditioned. Different approaches are used more in some cultures than others. A way of thinking in one culture may not “make sense” in another culture. Our way of thinking blinds us from seeing the validity of other ways of thinking. Others are not so stupid after all, (they just think differently).
There are many other continuums that may be used to look at this Force of Culture. Here are a few. You may notice that even though the words are different, there are similarities to the continuum we will focus on.
The following is a general description of Analytical and Holistic attitudes towards Thinking. Remember these are the extremes. Most cultures and people probably fall somewhere in between, but you will usually find a “norm” with a tendency to one extreme or the other.
Analytical and Holistic
The following tendencies have been identified as possible attitudes, perceptions and actions of people from cultures on each extreme of the continuum (As viewed from someone on the other extreme).
Analytical Extreme Cultures
Fix the immediate problem attitude (sometimes the quick fix or band aide approach)
Tend to break things down into pieces and consider each individually
Thinking tends to be sequential and ordered
Often related to scientific or logical thinking
Like dealing with the details and specific tasks
Often have strong individualistic tendencies
Holistic Extreme Cultures
High regard for relationships and how issues affect other parts or associations
Tend to look at the big picture before seeing the parts or immediate solution
May not be strong at detailed analysis
Often considered a more intuitive and emotional way of thinking
Strong group association
Decisions/conclusions may take many approvals and more time
About TOTA
TOTA.world provides cultural information and sharing across the world to help you explore your Family’s Cultural History and create deep connections with the lives and cultures of your ancestors.
