Cultural Universals Cultural universals are customs and practices that occur across all societies. They include: AppearanceAppearance (eg. bodily adornment, hairstyles) ActivitiesActivities (eg. sports, dancing, games, interaction) Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions (eg. family, law, religion) Customary PracticesCustomary Practices (eg. cooking, folklore, gift giving, hospitality) (eg. cooking, folklore, gift giving, hospitality)

Components of Culture All cultures have 4 common (non-material) components of culture. These contribute to both harmony and conflict in a society. They are: SymbolsSymbols LanguageLanguage ValuesValues NormsNorms

Symbols Symbols – anything that meaningfully represents something else (eg. wedding rings, flags, peace sign)Symbols – anything that meaningfully represents something else (eg. wedding rings, flags, peace sign) Culture can’t exist without symbols; they help us communicate ideas such as love and patriotism Culture can’t exist without symbols; they help us communicate ideas such as love and patriotism However, sometimes symbols will be interpreted differently by different cultures However, sometimes symbols will be interpreted differently by different cultures Examples: In the Western world, purity is symbolized by the colour white For Indo-Canadians, however, purity is symbolized by the colour green.In the Western world, purity is symbolized by the colour white For Indo-Canadians, however, purity is symbolized by the colour green. To most people, the swastika represents hatred and intolerance. To White Supremacists, however, it represents goodness and love.To most people, the swastika represents hatred and intolerance. To White Supremacists, however, it represents goodness and love. Symbols can also affect our thoughts about gender, race and ethnicity

Symbols Examples: The colour of clothing has symbolic meanings for male and female. Babies are almost invariably dressed according to whether they are boys (blue or red) or girls (pink or yellow).The colour of clothing has symbolic meanings for male and female. Babies are almost invariably dressed according to whether they are boys (blue or red) or girls (pink or yellow). Black and white are not the true colours of peoples’ skin, but we nevertheless make references to people at a racial level by using these terms. When we think of our thought-associations with these colours, ‘black’ is often viewed negatively while ‘white’ is viewed positively. Why don’t we say ‘pinkish-tan’ or ‘golden- brown’?Black and white are not the true colours of peoples’ skin, but we nevertheless make references to people at a racial level by using these terms. When we think of our thought-associations with these colours, ‘black’ is often viewed negatively while ‘white’ is viewed positively. Why don’t we say ‘pinkish-tan’ or ‘golden- brown’?

Language Language – a set of symbols that express ideas and enable people to think and communicate with one another (eg. Verbal [spoken], non-verbal [written, gestured] )Language – a set of symbols that express ideas and enable people to think and communicate with one another (eg. Verbal [spoken], non-verbal [written, gestured] ) Language creates visual images in our heads Language creates visual images in our heads Language and Social Reality: Does language communicate reality or does it create reality?Does language communicate reality or does it create reality? Examples : Examples : When we use the terms pro-life or pro-choice, are we expressing reality as it is or are we creating it? When we use the terms pro-life or pro-choice, are we expressing reality as it is or are we creating it? Some Aboriginal languages do not have personal pronouns for gender (ie. he / she ). How would their use (or lack of use) of these terms shape their reality? Some Aboriginal languages do not have personal pronouns for gender (ie. he / she ). How would their use (or lack of use) of these terms shape their reality?

Language Language and Gender Language and Gender How does our language reflect our cultural assumptions about gender?How does our language reflect our cultural assumptions about gender? Examples : Examples : Gender-specific references to occupations (see p. 76). eg. mankind or chairman Gender-specific references to occupations (see p. 76). eg. mankind or chairman Language, Race and Ethnicity Language, Race and Ethnicity How does our language reinforce our perceptions and misconceptions about race and ethnicity?How does our language reinforce our perceptions and misconceptions about race and ethnicity? Examples : Examples : Derogatory references to minority ethnic groups eg. Negative associations with ‘black’; Choosing words such as primitive or Indian in reference to Aboriginals Derogatory references to minority ethnic groups eg. Negative associations with ‘black’; Choosing words such as primitive or Indian in reference to Aboriginals

Language Language Diversity in CanadaLanguage Diversity in Canada Response Questions (p ) 1) We have seen how language is an extremely powerful force in both expressing and creating our reality. In what way has bilingualism had a unifying effect in our country? In what has it had divisive effect? Do you believe that, overall, bilingualism is helping Canada’s union between French- and English-Canadians or hindering it? 2) What role has language played in Aboriginal tradition and history? How has the disappearance of some Aboriginal languages adversely affected their tradition and history? 3) How is language viewed as important from a Functionalist perspective? 4) How is language viewed as important from a Conflict perspective?

Values Values – collective ideas about what is right and wrong, good or bad, and desirable or undesirable in a particular culture (eg. Equality, fairness, tolerance, dialogue, diversity, Canada’s natural beauty, Canada’s global image)Values – collective ideas about what is right and wrong, good or bad, and desirable or undesirable in a particular culture (eg. Equality, fairness, tolerance, dialogue, diversity, Canada’s natural beauty, Canada’s global image) Values typically come in pairs of positive and negative (eg. brave vs. cowardly; hardworking vs. lazy) Values typically come in pairs of positive and negative (eg. brave vs. cowardly; hardworking vs. lazy) Value contradictions Value contradictions These are values that contradict with one another or are mutually exclusive These are values that contradict with one another or are mutually exclusive For example, 84% of Canadians feel that “people who are poor have a right to an adequate income to live on,” but many of them still show strong support for governments that cut budgets in order to reduce deficitsFor example, 84% of Canadians feel that “people who are poor have a right to an adequate income to live on,” but many of them still show strong support for governments that cut budgets in order to reduce deficits

Values Ideal vs Real cultureIdeal vs Real culture Ideal culture refers to the values and standards of behaviour that people in a society profess to hold Ideal culture refers to the values and standards of behaviour that people in a society profess to hold Real culture refers to the values and standards of behaviour that people actually follow Real culture refers to the values and standards of behaviour that people actually follow (For example, we might think of ourselves as “good citizens”, but still drive above the speed limit or do engage in other illegal activities - however seemingly harmless.)

Norms Norms – established rules of behaviour or standards of conduct (eg. pay taxes, don’t talk while you eat, say please and thank you, don’t drink and drive)Norms – established rules of behaviour or standards of conduct (eg. pay taxes, don’t talk while you eat, say please and thank you, don’t drink and drive) Formal vs informal norms Formal vs informal norms Formal norms are written down and involve specific punishments for violators (eg. Laws) Formal norms are written down and involve specific punishments for violators (eg. Laws) These may be enforced by sanctions, either positive (from simple praise to medals of honour) or negative (ranging from mild disapproval to life imprisonment)These may be enforced by sanctions, either positive (from simple praise to medals of honour) or negative (ranging from mild disapproval to life imprisonment) Informal norms are unwritten standards of behaviour understood by people who share a common identity. When they are violated, other people may apply informal sanctions (eg. a frowning gesture, a public scolding, etc.) Informal norms are unwritten standards of behaviour understood by people who share a common identity. When they are violated, other people may apply informal sanctions (eg. a frowning gesture, a public scolding, etc.)

Folkways Folkways – informal norms or everyday customs that may be violated without serious consequences within a particular cultureFolkways – informal norms or everyday customs that may be violated without serious consequences within a particular culture These are rules of conduct that aren’t necessarily essential to a society’s survival. (eg. brush your teeth, don’t wear white after Labour Day, wear deodorant, etc.)

Mores Mores – strongly held norms with moral or ethical connotations that may not be violated without serious consequences in a particular cultureMores – strongly held norms with moral or ethical connotations that may not be violated without serious consequences in a particular culture These are based on culture values, so they are considered crucial to a society’s well-being Taboos Taboos Taboos are mores so strong that their violation is considered to be extremely offensive and even unmentionable. (eg. Incest) Taboos are mores so strong that their violation is considered to be extremely offensive and even unmentionable. (eg. Incest)

Laws Laws – formal, standardized norms that have been enacted by legislatures and are enforced by formal sanctionsLaws – formal, standardized norms that have been enacted by legislatures and are enforced by formal sanctions Civil law vs. criminal law Civil law vs. criminal law Civil law deals with disputes among persons or groups. Usually involves compensation or fines as restitution. Civil law deals with disputes among persons or groups. Usually involves compensation or fines as restitution. (eg. minor traffic accident) Criminal law deals with public safety and well-being. Usually involves major fines or prison sentences as restitution. Criminal law deals with public safety and well-being. Usually involves major fines or prison sentences as restitution. (eg. murder) Changes in law often reflect changes in culture. (eg. Racial or religious hate crimes, more liberal definition of marriage)