Really……who are we? Elements of Culture

Five common components Symbols Language Values Norm Technology (Ideal vs real culture)

Symbols Defined as anything that carries a particular meaning recognized by people who share culture. Varies from: Society to society Within a single society Over time

Examples A word A whistle Wall of graffiti Flashing red light Raised fist

Significant symbols……. The burning of the American flag during a political demonstration Fur coat – symbol of wealth or a symbol of cruelty? Confederate Flag – oppression or freedom?

Language System of symbols that allows people to communicate with one another Key to cultural transmission – process by which one generation passes culture to the next Usually through oral tradition Only humans can create systems of symbols but other animals do have the ability to use symbols to communicate. Sapir-Whorf thesis – holds that people perceive the world through the cultural lens of language.

Current thinking Language is not the ONLY key to understanding Children “know” the idea of family before learning the word Adults can imagine things before the “name” is created

Values Culturally defined as standards by which people judge desirability, goodness and beauty These serve as guidelines for social living Broad principles that underlie beliefs – specific statements that people hold to be true Robin Williams – Ten Key Values of US Culture (See separate Handout) Values within one society are frequently inconsistent and even opposed to one another

The “New Culture of Victimization” – Americans may be becoming increasingly unwilling to accept personal responsibility for their failings and misfortunes. Pgs 70 – 71 Thinking Critically Questions: #1 – 3 Discuss

Values as a Global Perspective Lower-income nations Values based on Survival Physical safety and economic security Tend to be traditional Celebration of the past Emphasize family/religion Dominated by men Higher – income nations Values based on individualism & self-expression Concentrate on developing a high quality of life How to achieve the greatest personal happiness Less emphasis on family/religion More on tolerance Women/men = more equal

Norms Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members Either proscriptive or prescriptive William Graham Sumner Two types: Mores – norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance Folkways – norms for routine, casual interaction Sanctions: Central mechanism of social control (various means by which members of society encourage conformity to norms).

Norms…….. Proscriptive Prescriptive Stating what we should NOT do Warnings…… Stating what we should do Guidelines…….

“People are the only animals that blush - or need to.” Mark Twain Mores and Folkways……………… Basic rules of everyday life Sometimes resisted Makes life “orderly” and “predictable” “Breaking the Norm” leads to either reward or punishment “Doing wrong” – causes shame and guilt (Ex: Cheating) Shame – the painful sense that others disapprove of our actions Guilt – a negative judgment we make of ourselves

Mores and folkways.......... Mores Folkways Norms that are widely used Great moral influence Taboos Distinguish between right and wrong Norms for routine or casual interaction Appropriate greetings Proper dress Draw a line between right and rude

When and where are norms appropriate? What do parents expect from their children – no matter where they are…..Home? School? Restaurant? Friend’s house? What do we do at the end of a performance as audience members? What do we at the end of a religious sermon? What other “norms” do we follow and when?

Values, rules and sanctions create the following social atmosphere Ultimately……. Values, rules and sanctions create the following social atmosphere

Social Control is best achieved when all groups to which we belong reinforce each other.

The principal means of social control is self- control. Self-control is learned through the internalization of norms. Internalization is the process by which a norm becomes a part of an individual’s personality, thereby making the individual automatically conform to society’s expectations.

In reality, the only rule a society needs is the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

“Do as I say, not as I do” Ideal vs Real Culture Ideal culture – social patterns mandated by cultural values and norms Real culture – actual social patterns that only approximate cultural expectations Material culture – reflects a society’s values and a society’s technology (knowledge that people apply to the task of living in their surroundings

Material Culture Artifacts – utensils certain cultures eat with; how people sit/sleep; clothing These may seem strange to “outsiders”

Technology Knowledge that people use to make a way of life in their surroundings More complex = more ability to shape the world around you The complex transportation system helps connect our world which leads to more cars/trucks/etc ……………………… Which leads to more poisoning of the atmosphere and global warming

Simple technology = Simple lives Cultures that attach importance to science tend to overlook other more simpler cultures. Sometimes – the statement above is true But other times – the simpler the better More technology could lead to bigger problems. “More money, more problems” Some people reject these ideas on principle or it’s a luxury that cannot be afforded New cultures are being created