Critical Analysis of Core Communication Styles

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nNaturalistic and Anti-naturalist theories

nDifferences

nCulture is flexible and content-dependent and it is exemplified emerges from interactions. Naturalist cultural theory suggests that the natural order offers an indestructible and monistic unity. Therefore, the theory argues that natural unity should be reflected in the human mental reconstruction (Woleński, 2013, p.5). In addition, since the order is integrally good, all human beings need to adhere to this order and never oppose it. Man will get the necessary reality in life if they approach nature with an open mind. Nature will extend the causal-mechanistic relations to the mental process of man, and a chance of error reduces (Damian & Robins, 2012, p.3). Therefore, the naturalist theory argues that the knowing processes is viewed as an extension of the natural process to the mental processes of man and truth attainment becomes a reality.

nMoreover, the naturalist theory suggests that culture and nature are not separate but they are the same. The humans mind content (culture), how it performs and what it thinks about is influenced by the interaction between nature and brain (Woleński, 2013, p.6). In addition, the human mind (culture) performs on the transformation of nature. The culture of human beings emerges from the continuous and infinite changes in nature (Damian & Robins, 2012, p.5). In conclusion, naturalistic theory treats culture as part of nature.

nAccording to anti-naturalism theory, the natural world is not the only source of reality and human culture. It completely disregards the natural beings such as spirits that influence the environment. It does not acknowledge that nature determines human culture. The basic argument of this theory is that there is no unit between human culture and the natural world (Woleński, 2013, p.7). It also assumes that natural order does not affect the human brain (culture). In the natural construct, man does not get a reality. Human characters do not conform to the actual situation in the environment. Anti-naturalism argues that human beings make their mind (culture) and no justification to believe in natural reality (Woleński, 2013, p.7).

nSimilarities

nBoth theories are similar since they argue that spiritual, immaterial or invisible phenomena do not exist above the natural order that determines reality. The two theories suggest that the human culture is vulnerable to the changes in the world (Woleński, 2013, p. 8-9).

nHolism and individualism

nDifferences

nIndividualism argues that the individual element is an autonomous unit having independent properties, but acquires resources around it. Therefore, an individual is responsible for his or her destiny and success depend on personal effort (Strauch, 2003, p. 1). Holism suggests that the personal factor is dependent on other individuals. Persons are interdependent, and their characters are influenced and determined by others.

nA childs behavior depends on his or her familys treatment hence the child is not fully responsible for his or her behaviors (Strauch, 2003, p. 4). In addition, individuals interchangeably influence each other the same way a family influences a child while being influenced by him or her (Kagitcibasi, 2004, p.2). Therefore, the relationship between elements or individuals produces a system or a whole. The whole is not the sum of all the individuals, but it is more than the sum of all the parts. In this regard, a whole affects the quality of its parts.

nBoth approaches are similar in that they interpret the individual, existence and the nature of human beings. Additionally, the two perspectives of holism and individualism focus on corresponding epistemologies and methods of acquiring knowledge (Kagitcibasi, 2004, p.6). Holistic and individualistic ontologies encompass on distinctive methodologies.

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nReferences

nDamian, R. I., & Robins, R. W. (2012). Investigations into the human self: a naturalist perspective. Social Cognition, 30(4), 431-448.

nKagitcibasi, C. (2004). Child development and culture. Encyclopaedia of Applied Psychology, 1, 329-338.

nStrauch, I. (2003). Examining the Nature of Holism Within Lifestyle. Journal Of Individual Psychology, 59(4), 452-460

nWoleński, J. (2013). Naturalism, anti-naturalism and meta-ethics. Folia Philosophica, (ENG 29), 85-102.