Some decades ago I heard the term "Ur trait" (can't be sure of the spelling) in relation to a collection of cultural beliefs or possibly culturally driven practices that are universally distributed in humans around the globe, and which are believed to reach back to the early development of humans, so that they might represent bits of a core of human culture. I'm unsure enough of the concept that I don't want to make up examples which might lead respondents on a wrong path. Googling "ur trait" didn't yield any useful answers. The concept sounds similar, but is not identical to Jung's idea of a collective unconscious, which seems to be related a little more to psychology than cultural anthropology.
I'm primarily interested in whether the phrase "ur trait" was ever in use, and secondarily in the concept it represents if not what I've described above.
posted by paphun123
on Jan 10, 2013 -
12 answers
I’m currently working on my masters in an Industrial/Occupational Psychology program. My main topic of interest will be differences in national, social, and organizational cultures. What sort of anthropological or ethnological resources or books can you recommend regarding learning how to be good participant-observer and the techniques to do so?
I’m already familiar with the works on culture from researchers such as Geert Hofestede, Edward Hall, and Fons Trompenaars.
If there are any other recommendations regarding relevant resources or texts in related fields that my compliment my studies, please let me know. My interests lie in psychology, sociology, and politics which I believe are applicable.
Thanks in advance!
posted by Che boludo!
on May 22, 2012 -
5 answers
Looking for books that revisit a person or groups of people at different points in their lives, a la the "Up" series by Michael Apted.
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posted by reenum
on Mar 7, 2011 -
5 answers
Looking for writing on how cultures/nations/tribes handled, fared, cope/d with alien influences.
In the past or now, ongoing.
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posted by ebesan
on Dec 5, 2009 -
9 answers
Does anyone know about a past or present culture or subculture where it is acceptable to start or end a fair fight with a cockpunch?
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posted by Free word order!
on Nov 7, 2008 -
11 answers
What are the reasons for and against constitutionally requiring a specific national language?
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posted by netbros
on Aug 28, 2008 -
74 answers
What online reads can you recommend on the subject of circadian rhythms and rituals, preferably from an anthropological and/or historical point of view?
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posted by goodnewsfortheinsane
on Jan 13, 2008 -
6 answers
I am searching for examples of The Infinite, or the immeasurably large, in our mythologies and archetypes. I am also interested in the categories of Truth which came out of the emergence of Western, ontological thought. Does the trust in a rationally conceivable reality deny us the infinity of the mythological realm? By rooting ourselves in the present, and denying atemporal mythologies, do we also deny the infinite origins from where we came?
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posted by 0bvious
on Nov 28, 2007 -
22 answers
What are your favorite nontraditional, nontouristy, alternative, culturally-insightful things to do in or near Venice, Florence, and Rome? I mean the deeper anthropological kind of culture, not museums, opera, etc. I'm not looking for the usual must-see tourist destinations or the things that epitomize a city. I want the fascinating little finds you accidentally stumbled on and loved, but which few or no tours would have found because they aren't "sights". If it can give me a glimpse of how contemporary Italians see the world, to appreciate a bit more what it's like to be them, that's a turbo bonus. No points off for plain old fun activities either.
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posted by Askr
on Nov 6, 2007 -
12 answers
What were some of the most idyllic communities to have ever existed? I’m not looking for opinions, I’m looking for hard anthropological examples or studies that have been carried out on such cultures.
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posted by heylight
on Aug 29, 2006 -
9 answers
In the U.S., we get all caught up in the decisions that adult women make and the consequences of those decisions. (To have children, not to have children, to work, to stay home with the children, not to work, to marry, to have children without marrying, etc.) Are there similar convulsions about these cultural issues in other countries, especially non-English speaking ones? How can I learn about them? I'm curious both about how women's roles in in their societies are changing and about how those societies are reacting to the changes.
posted by croutonsupafreak
on Nov 30, 2005 -
6 answers
