Hall's Primary Messaging Systems

Hall argues that cultures communicate to themselves and others using primary messaging systems.  Each of these systems, according to Hall, must be:

A: Rooted in biological activity.

B: Able to be isolated from all other PMS's

C: Relate to all other PMS's in an integral way.

Here it is important to remember that humans are animals and exist in our environments in much the same way as animals do.

PMS

Exploitation:  Refers to the adaptation of organisms to take advantage of available resources in the surrounding environment.

* it affords survival through the manipulation of the environment.

Exploitation relates to other systems, Interaction and Association, by sharing knowledge with others.   Scarcity of resources might insist that one group interact with another.  Exploitation brings jobs or responsibilities within a community developing new cycles.  It relates immediately to territory and gender roles as certain tasks could be exclusive to one gender.

Defense:  Refers of nature's attempt by the organism or body to preserve its life through means available to it by its environment.

Plays a role in the need to survive all obstacles or threats.

It relates to other PMS's Interaction, to work with others safely. Associations can bring war or conflict. Subsistence relates to defense as we defend our mates and young. Bisexuality comes into play as we defend our partners or young.  Territoriality in defense is obvious.  Temporality effects Defense as we defend ourselves differently at different times. Learning and Play are impacted by defense if we consider learning to use weapons and playing war games.

Play:  Play is a system by which people socialize and build strategies.

Play is isolated from PMS's as it is the only one where people entertainment themselves.

It relates other PMS's, Defense through the play of war games. Play relates to Learning as we learn our neighborhood.  It relates to Interaction as we build relationship through games or sports.

Learning:  is a system through which we adapt to and acquire knowledge about the environment around us.
Learning is different from other PMS's as it is resistant to change.

Learning relates to ALL other PMS's as we learn our culture.

Temporality:  is the the way all aspects of culture relate to time, including past present and future.

Temporality is isolated from PMS's as it is the measure of periods and is always occurring.

Interaction relates to temporality as we dedicate time to social needs.  It relates to association as it represents the occurrence of patterns over time.  Time tells us when to eat what.  Temporality determines adulthood and the use of time. Territoriality relates to time as the length of time one has occupied a space legitimates a claim to ownership.

Territoriality:  describes what you proclaim as your possessions; how you use them and hang onto them.

Territoriality relates to defense as you preserve your space.   Spaces within the home are reserved for one gender and not the other.  Perhaps kitchens or cooking spaces were at one time exclusively "women" spaces.  Alternatively, garages or outdoor workspaces were reserved for men.  for instance, a nursing school would be run and be the domain of women.

Territory relates to Learning as we adapt to the spaces we create.  We learn that certain spaces are reserved for certain purposes.  In the documentary, Europeans needed to learn which lands belonged to certain tribes.

Gender Roles:  are a set of cultural and societal norms that dictate norms, behaviors, attitudes, and activities that are then considered appropriate for members of that group.

In terms of learning, many believe that males are better at certain subjects, i. e. math or science.  In the past many were pushed toward gender specific education,  wood shop or home economics.  It relates to territory, as there are specific masculine spaces or feminine spaces such as, the kitchen, or a garages. 

In nature there are designated nesting spaces that may be the female's territory.

Gender relates to Interaction as women are more descriptive and often softer-spoken.

It relates to Association as there are clubs and organizations reserved for one gender and not the other, sexes behave differently in social settings. 

In the film, women played only domestic roles in the groups depicted.  All major decisions were made by men.  Men were dominant and territorial in their dealing with others.

Subsistence: is the use of minimal resources that are essential for survival including everything from individual food habits to working and making a living.

Subsistence relates to Interaction because regardless of culture you still need to interact to meet your needs. It relates to Association as social class is defined by the job you hold and its place in society.  it relates to Territoriality as people need the land to harvest or hunt to subsist.  Your ability, or use of Defense may determine your ability to survive or subsist.

In the film natives and Europeans cooperated to hunt and harvest and use animal products to survive winters.  natives taught others subsistence techniques.


Association is when two or more beings come together and have their own roles that when put together build a society.

In individual has a role and must Interact with other members.  In a business, each person has a role to play and when they associate effectively, the company is functional.   Language will influence association by "how" members communicate with each and other with whom they communicate.

Association relates to Territory as we must communicate with those we visit or border or with whom we negotiate. 

In the film leaders initiated conversation as it was their role.  Only later did women or followers interact or associate with others.  When Massasoit died, his son Metacom took over is position as leader. 

Interaction: is the behavior and actions of living organisms and their environment. 

Interaction is the way  organisms communicate in order to fulfill their needs. 

Interaction is a foundation to the other Primary Message Systems as all of them must be carried out by Interaction.  For example in Association we Interact with others as a function of living in groups.  For Bisexuality, the way genders interact is determined.  For Temporality and Territoriality all functions take place in a certain time and place.   Learning and Play demand that creatures Interact with each other.    Show strength to defend themselves and their families against a threat.