Question

how does culture relate to the development, personality, and gender of an individual? how do these things also influence culture ?

Answer 1

Culture is considered to have a major influence on various aspects of individuals and vice versa.

• Development- From infancy and til old age- individuals live in a certain culture or different culture. There are certain ethos, norms, beliefs, etc he/she is exposed to. This environmental exposure of culture makes an individual acquire various skills and abilities, learn new things, get knowledge, etc. It starts from the early family interaction and then moving towards the education sector. Cognitive development takes place through interaction with peers, parents, and teachers. Through various phases of life, an individual learns and adapts. For instance, A child born in Japan would be striven to get developed in the field of science and technology. In India, a child will place more importance to develop interpersonal relationships.
• Personality- There are some situational and environmental influences that make up the personality. The direct influence coming from the immediate environment helps in developing new attitudes and reflections of various kinds of behaviors. The cultural beliefs and collective conscious places a set of norms which individual follow on a daily basis. These beliefs get embedded integrally in an individual's personality. For instance, In western culture- a person tends to maintain individuality and thus have an independent sense of personality.
• Gender- Culture places the expectations of a particular sex. These are highlighted as to what gender identity a person should have and what gender roles they should acquire. For instance, some cultures are very patriarchal and thus they completely reject the idea that women should work and earn.

On the other hand, these factors do influence culture

• The ongoing developmental patterns and as the time is changing - the needs or wants of people are changing. Individuals are looking for new ways of development. This new outlook makes up be collective beliefs and thus influences or changes the whole culture.
• The personality of different individuals makes a complex network. Some people are extroverts and some might be introverts. There is no fixed notion of personality. This dynamic nature of personality and the evolving nature of their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors make a direct influence on culture.
• Gender change and attitude towards it- has been voiced and changed over a few years. Individuals especially the ones who are discriminated are coming out on the streets and asking for equal rights and the formation of new attitudes or treatment towards them. The changing gender identities and gender roles are making cultural changes.