Sociology Chapter 2 Culture

What is Culture Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai9pRv_t3y8

What is Culture? Culture consists of all the shared products of human groups. These products include both physical objects and the beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by the group.

Material Culture Physical objects used by a group is known as Material Culture.

Non-Material Culture Abstract human creations form the Non- Material Culture. This includes: beliefs, family patterns, language, rules, ideas, etc.

Culture vs. Society All the shared products of a society A group of interdependent people that have organized in a way to share common culture.

Culture is both Learned and Shared Components of Culture Culture is both Learned and Shared

Technology Consists of items and rules for using those items.

Symbols Anything that represents something else. The basis of human culture.

Language The organization of both the spoken and written word. Language of the San

Values Shared beliefs of what is right and wrong, good or bad. Values determine the character of the people.

Norms Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations. Folkways: describe socially acceptable behavior that does not have great moral significance. Mores: Great moral significance – developed into laws

Examining Culture Culture is constantly changing, it is considered to be dynamic rather than static.

Culture Traits The simplest level of culture. An individual tool, act or belief. (i.e. throwing a football)

Cultural Complexes A cluster of interrelated cultural traits. (i.e. A game of football)

Cultural Patterns The combination of various cultural complexes (i.e. Football, Basketball, Soccer are Sports)

Cultural Variation All cultures are different, yet some things exist amongst all cultures. These are known as cultural universals. Some examples of cultural universals: Cooking, dancing, family, feasting, funeral ceremonies, housing, language, music, medicine, religion, sports, toolmaking. Although these universals occur everywhere, there is great variance between groups.

Families vary by culture Largest family in the world: 39 wives, 94 children 33 grandchildren Families vary by culture Country with the largest families: Gambia average of 8.3 kids per family.

Typical American Family 2.6 kids in a typical American Family The Duggar Family of 18 kids and counting 2.6 kids in a typical

Studying Variation In order to study different cultures, social scientists must be aware of bias

Ethnocentrism A tendency to view ones own culture and group as superior to other groups. Video

Cultural Relativism The belief that all cultures need to be judged by their own standards rather than comparing them to other cultures.

Variation within Societies Subcultures – groups that although joined to a larger group, have their own cultural features that are not part of the larger culture. Many subcultures exist in the United States due to immigration and region.

Counterculture Groups that challenge and refuse to conform with the accepted culture of the main group.

What do others think of us American Culture