The Basis of Culture
What is culture?
Culture defines how people in a society behave in relation to others. The Basis of Culture Culture defines how people in a society behave in relation to others. Material side – Non material side - Fast food, skyscrapers Customs, beliefs
How is society different from culture? The Basis of Culture How is society different from culture? Culture is that particular society’s total way of life
What is a society Society is a group of people who live in a defined territory and participate in a common culture
The Basis of Culture What is an instinct? Genetically inherited patterns of behavior. Humans cannot get far on instincts alone
Humans rely on culture to meet most of their basic needs The Basis of Culture Why is culture more important than instinct in determining human behavior? Humans rely on culture to meet most of their basic needs
Non human animals such as insects rely more on instincts to survive The Basis of Culture If women had an instinct for mothering than all women would want children Non human animals such as insects rely more on instincts to survive
How does heredity affect behavior? Other Factors How does heredity affect behavior? About half your personality traits are determined by genetics
This is also referred to the nature vs. nurture debate The Basis of Culture This is also referred to the nature vs. nurture debate In addition humans have reflexes and drives
Sociobiology is the study of the biological basis of human behavior The Basis of Culture Sociobiology is the study of the biological basis of human behavior
How do sociobiologists view human behavior? The Basis of Culture How do sociobiologists view human behavior? They assume that the behavior that best help people are biologically transmitted in the genetic code.
What are some criticisms of sociobiology? The Basis of Culture What are some criticisms of sociobiology? Too much importance on genetics can label some races inferior or superior.
Is there a middle ground? The Basis of Culture Is there a middle ground? A growing body of sociologists believe that genes work with culture to shape social life
Cultural Diversity What is a subculture? A group that is part of the dominant culture but differs from it in some respects
What is a counterculture? Cultural Diversity What is a counterculture? A subculture deliberately opposed to certain beliefs of the dominant culture
Cultural Diversity High culture–Cultural patterns that distinguish a society’s elite. Popular culture–Cultural patterns that are widespread among society’s population. Subculture–Cultural patterns set apart some segment of society’s population. Counterculture–Cultural patterns that strongly oppose those widely accepted within a society.
Is cultural diversity beneficial to society or does it harm it?
The tendency to view one’s own culture or group as superior. Ethnocentrism What is ethnocentrism? The tendency to view one’s own culture or group as superior.
Ethnocentrism What are some examples of ethnocentrism? Olympic Games, regional rivalries,
Does ethnocentrism help or hurt society? People feel good about themselves. Hitler and Nazi Germany are ethnocentrism at its worst
Cultural Universals Are traits that exist in all cultures Ex. Sports, cooking, education, marriage, hospitality
How are cultural universals expressed? Cultures carry out cultural universals differently. (Ex. raising children)
Cultural Universals Why do cultural universals exist? Societies face many of the same social problems.