Cultural Diversity Chapter 2

The Meaning of Culture Unlike animals, humans are not controlled by instincts. Humans are able to adapt to and change their environments. The way groups and societies deal with the environment is the foundation of culture.

The Meaning of Culture Culture is all the shared products of human groups. These can be physical objects and the beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group. Material culture consists of the physical objects people create and use. Books, clothing, cooking utensils, etc.. Nonmaterial culture is abstract human creations. beliefs, family patterns, ideas, languages, political and economic systems, skills, and work practices.

The Meaning of Culture The terms society and culture ae often interchangeable, however sociologists distinguish between the two terms. A Society is a group of interdependent people who have organized it in such a way as to share a common culture and feeling of unity. Society = people Culture = material and nonmaterial products created by people

The Meaning of Culture Culture is both learned and shared. For example, not everyone in the US: dresses the same, belongs to the same church Listens to the same type of music Most people do choose from the same broad set of material and nonmaterial culture in their environment There are many languages in the US, but English is the dominant one There are many religions, but Christianity is the dominant one

The Meaning of Culture Technology is a society’s physical objects and the rules for using those objects. Using items of material culture, particularly tools, requires knowledge of various skills, which is part of nonmaterial culture. Example: The ability to use a computer to access and surf the internet. Sociologists are not only interested in the skills, but also in the rules of acceptable behavior. Hacking Illegal downloads

The Meaning of Culture The use of symbols is the very basis of human culture. We create our culture and communicate it to group members and future members. A symbol has a shared meaning attached to it. Examples of symbols: Words Gestures Images Sounds Objects events

The Meaning of Culture Language is the organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system. When organized into accepted rules of grammar, words can be used to express any kind of idea. In the US, we use the American form of English. We use English in schools, books, magazines, radio, and television

The Meaning of Culture Values are the shared beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong, desirable and undesirable. Language and symbols help us communicate our values to one another and future generations. Values shape: the character of a society Material culture produced Nonmaterial culture produced

The Meaning of Culture Norms are created to enforce cultural values. They are shared rules of conduct to tell people how to act in specific situations. Norms are expected behavior, not actual behavior. Norms can be applied selectively Priests cannot marry Police and soldiers taking live vs civilians. Norms can vary geographically Norms vary with the strictness in which they are enforced: Folkways Mores

The Meaning of Culture Mores have great moral significance attached to them. Violation of mores endanger society’s well being and stability. This is considered to be deviant. Examples: Murder Looting Fraud Folkways are norms that describe socially acceptable behavior, but do not have great moral significance attached to them. Folkways outline the common customs of everyday life. Failure to abide will result in a reprimand or minor punishment. Some degree of nonconformity is permitted Examples: Waiting in line Shaking hands

The meaning of culture Societies have established punishments for violating mores in order to protect society’s well being – these are called laws. Laws are written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by the government. Most laws serve to enforce mores and social stability. Examples: Laws against murder, rape, arson, theft Some laws may enforced folkways. Not using the handicap parking when you are not hanicap

The Meaning of culture Cultural traits are individual acts, tools, or beliefs related to a particular situation or need. This is the simplest level of culture. Examples: Using utensils to eat with vs eating with hands Saying “hi” to someone Shaking hands vs bowing

The Meaning of Culture Cultural complexes are a cluster of interrelated traits. Example: Soccer Traits Shin guards Cleats Kicking/passing the ball Slide tackling Specific beliefs related to the game also exist such as rules. Penalties Financing, marketing, and advertising of soccer.

The meaning of culture Cultural patterns are the combination of a number of cultural complexes into an interrelated whole. Example: separate complexes of basketball, baseball, soccer, football, tennis, and track combine to make the American athletic pattern. Other cultural patterns include : Agriculture Education Family life Manufacturing Religion

Cultural Variation Everyday activities, such as eating dinner, can differ widely depending on the culture. Another example of variation in culture is language. There are more than 220 different languages around the world! There are also variations of the same language around the world. English American English British English Australian English Canadian English https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=55u6gun0N60

Cultural Variation Cultural universals are features common to all cultures. Sociologist George Murdock identified more than 65 cultural universals. Among these are: Dancing Family Body adornment religion Folklore Music funerals

Cultural Variation In all cultures the purpose of family is the same to ensure that new members will add to the society and cared for until old enough to fend for themselves. Family also introduces components of culture to children The family makeup varies from culture to culture Some cultures are just parents and children Others are multigenerational Some are polygamous Some are monogamous

Cultural Variation In order to study variations among societies, sociologists must be careful to remain critical of biases in their observations and conclusions. They must not be ethnocentric Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior. This means we tend to view others as inferior This is usually based on factors like technology When ethnocentrism is extreme society can become stagnant. Ethnocentrism limits the new influences by excluding others

Cultural Variation Cultural relativism is the belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards, rather than applying the standards of another culture. This helps sociologists and anthropologists to understand practices that may seem strange or different from their own culture. Example: child brides

Cultural Variation Cultural variations exist not only among societies, but within them as well. Subcultures form when society’s norms, values, and behaviors are not shared by the entire population. They don’t reject all of society’s values and practices of the society Subcultures include: Age Gender Race/ethnicity Religion Politics Social class Geography

Cultural Variation Most subcultures do not present a threat to society. Subcultures can actually make society more open to change. In some instances, subcultural practices are intended to challenge the values of the larger society. When a group rejects the norms, values, and practices of society and replaces them with a new cultural pattern a counterculture has formed. Examples: Organized crime Hippies Neo-nazis