1. Chapter 2 Culture

2. Chapter Outline Culture and Society Components of Culture Technology, Cultural Change, and Diversity A Global Popular Culture? Sociological Analysis of Culture Culture in the Future

3. Culture and the Individual Culture is essential for individual survival and communication with other people. We learn about culture through interaction, observation and imitation. Culture is fundamental for the survival of societies.

4. Cultural Universals Examples: Appearance (bodily adornment, hairstyles) Activities (sports, dancing, games, joking) Social institutions (family, law, religion) Practices (cooking, folklore, gift giving)

5. Components of Culture Symbols Language Values Norms

6. Language and Gender English uses the masculine form to refer to human beings in general. Pronouns show the gender of the person we expect to be in a particular occupation. Gender based language for occupations implies that jobs are different when filled by women rather than men.

7. Language and Gender Women are described in terms that reinforce the idea that women are sex objects: fox, babe, doll. Men are described in terms of their prowess: dude, stud, hunk.

8. Ten Core American Values 1. Individualism 2. Achievement and Success 3. Activity and Work 4. Science and Technology 5. Progress and Material Comfort

9. Ten Core American Values 6. Efficiency and Practicality 7. Equality 8. Morality and Humanitarianism 9. Freedom and Liberty 10. Racism and Group Superiority

10. Subcultures Members of a subculture share values that differ significantly from the dominant culture. The Old Order Amish: – Strong faith in God. – Rejection of worldly concerns. – Rely on horse and buggy for transportation.

11. Countercultures Members reject dominant social values and seek alternative lifestyles. Examples: – Beatniks of the 1950’s – Flower Children of the 1960’s – Drug Enthusiasts of the 1970’s

12. Sociological Perspectives on Culture Functionalist - assumes a common language and shared values help produce consensus and harmony. Conflict - culture may be used by certain groups to maintain their privilege and exclude others from society’s benefits.

13. Sociological Perspectives on Culture Symbolic Interactionist - people create, maintain and modify culture as they go about their everyday activities. Postmodern -a new way of conceptualizing culture and society is needed.