Cultural divide
Encyclopedia
Cultural divide is a term of sociology
and human psychology, referring to attempts to describe the differences in reaction, response, and perception of people exposed to multi-cultural
situations.
The phenomenon of the cultural divide emerged as mankind began to explore the world, and encountered vastly different language
s, lifestyles, foods, values, and local customs. And it has continued significance in the modern world, in the context of the globalization
of commerce, easy availability of travel, and dismantling of geographical barriers.
These cultural differences are primarily observed firsthand, through human contact, and travel. But the cultural divide can also be seen in various forms of media, such as movies, TV, and on the Internet
; and through the emergence of digital communities
; and digital
means of interaction.
All these have resulted in increasing interaction and exchange amongst people of different cultural backgrounds.
In essence, the term "cultural divide" refers to the "virtual barriers", caused by cultural differences, that hinder interactions, and harmonious exchange between people of different cultures. Individuals may sense this phenomenon, or they may be oblivious to it.
On the positive side, this cultural interaction can result in "bridging" the cultural divide, which has simultaneously gained importance to those seeking harmony, and peaceful exchange between cultures. When the cultural divide can be bridged, it can be beneficial for all parties. However, when cultures are vastly different, or if a people are opposed to such exchange, the cultural divide can be very difficult to bridge.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
and human psychology, referring to attempts to describe the differences in reaction, response, and perception of people exposed to multi-cultural
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
situations.
The phenomenon of the cultural divide emerged as mankind began to explore the world, and encountered vastly different language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
s, lifestyles, foods, values, and local customs. And it has continued significance in the modern world, in the context of the globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
of commerce, easy availability of travel, and dismantling of geographical barriers.
These cultural differences are primarily observed firsthand, through human contact, and travel. But the cultural divide can also be seen in various forms of media, such as movies, TV, and on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
; and through the emergence of digital communities
Virtual community
A virtual community is a social network of individuals who interact through specific media, potentially crossing geographical and political boundaries in order to pursue mutual interests or goals...
; and digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
means of interaction.
All these have resulted in increasing interaction and exchange amongst people of different cultural backgrounds.
In essence, the term "cultural divide" refers to the "virtual barriers", caused by cultural differences, that hinder interactions, and harmonious exchange between people of different cultures. Individuals may sense this phenomenon, or they may be oblivious to it.
On the positive side, this cultural interaction can result in "bridging" the cultural divide, which has simultaneously gained importance to those seeking harmony, and peaceful exchange between cultures. When the cultural divide can be bridged, it can be beneficial for all parties. However, when cultures are vastly different, or if a people are opposed to such exchange, the cultural divide can be very difficult to bridge.