Thursday, February 20, 2025

Types of Culture

An increasing misconception in educational literature is the use of the word "culture" when what is actually being discussed is a very specific type of culture—organisational culture. However, before we explore this further, let us first consider the term "culture" itself, which Edgar Schein, the former professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management, argues has a "checkered history." The term is frequently used in broad and varied ways, and this complexity can be traced back to 1952, when anthropologists Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn examined over 150 definitions of culture. Furthermore, this problem is compounded when investigating culture in schools, as such examinations have generally been superficial. To provide some clarity, Schein categorised culture into three distinct definitions.

Culture as a Person
The first definition of culture refers to an individual’s level of cultural knowledge and appreciation. A "cultured" person is someone who is well-versed in a variety of subjects, including architecture, classical art and literature, ballet, and other forms of high culture. It also encompasses traits such as curiosity, open-mindedness, and tolerance for people from diverse backgrounds. Often, when people describe someone as cultured, they imply a level of sophistication or a "good" education, though in reality, this is frequently associated with social elitism and an upper-class background rather than genuine intellectual depths.

Culture as a Society
The second definition of culture pertains to the customs, traditions, and rituals that societies or groups develop over time. In this context, "society" can refer to both a geographical location and the culture of a particular people within that location. For example, those living in the Arctic have developed vastly different customs and ways of life compared to those living in the Sahara. However, in the modern era, with the rise of the internet and increasing globalisation, societies are becoming less isolated, leading to the blending and evolution of cultural practices.

This definition is often used to describe national cultures, such as the culture of France or the culture of the United States, and can also be applied to racial or ethnic cultures within a given country.

Culture as a an Organisation
The third and most relevant definition, particularly in discussions about schools, is organisational culture. Organisational culture is a specific type of culture unique to an institution, guiding its values, operations, and overall ethos. The organisational culture of one school within a trust can differ significantly from another, just as two stores from the same retail chain may have vastly different workplace environments.

This distinction is crucial in education, as it explains why simply transferring a successful school leader into a struggling school does not always yield the desired results. Organisational culture is deeply embedded within an institution, shaping the behaviours and expectations of its members, and is not something that can be easily transplanted from one setting to another.

Recognising these distinctions is essential for meaningful discussions about school culture. When educators and policymakers talk about "changing the culture of a school," they are often referring to its organisational culture rather than broader societal or individual cultural aspects. Understanding this can lead to more effective strategies for school improvement and a clearer dialogue about what truly shapes educational environments.

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