Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Lesson Outline What is Culture? Components of Culture Language Different ways of Viewing Culture Cultural Change American culture in perspective Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture What is Culture? Culture is the entire way of life for a group of people It is what makes us human. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Material Culture Material culture includes the objects associated with a cultural group Foods, tools, artwork, etc. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Symbolic Culture Sounds, smells, pictures that stand for or represent something else Can include physical gestures Introduction to Sociology: Culture

The Meaning of this red light depends on the context Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Components of Culture Signs (or symbols), such as a traffic signal or product logo, are used to meaningfully represent something else. Gestures are the signs that we make with our body, such as hand gestures and facial expressions; it is important that these gestures also carry meaning. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Components of Culture: Language The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, the way we look at the world depends on the language we have learned i.e. Snow You can expand or limit your outlook, depending on your use of language Introduction to Sociology: Culture

The Importance of Language Language facilitates culture Is American English the same and British English, dude? Give me a darn second! Give me a bloody second! Cheese + hamburger = cheeseburger Lettuce + hamburger ≠ lettuceburger Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Components of Culture (cont) Values: shared beliefs about what a group considers desirable Norms: the formal and informal rules of behavior within a culture. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Components of Culture: Norms Norms are specific to a culture, time period, and situation. Formal = Drive on the right side of the road Informal = Hold the door for a woman Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Social Control and Sanctions Sanctions: rewards for obedience and punishments for norm violators. Sanctions help to establish social control Government/Society getting what they want Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Ways to look at Other Cultures Ethnocentrism: using your own culture as a standard to evaluate others leads to the view that cultures other than your own are abnormal Who wants a snack? Cicadas, grasshoppers, and other insects on skewers for sale in Donghaumen Night Market in Beijing, China. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Ways to look at Other Cultures Cultural relativism: understanding other cultures on your own terms This process is objective Not judged according to your own culture Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Variations in Culture Multiculturalism: values diverse racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds Encourages the cultural differences within society, rather than assimilation Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Variations in Culture The dominant culture: values, norms, and practices of the group within society that is most powerful A subculture is a group within society with different norms and values i.e. The Mafia (The Godfather) Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Variations in Culture (cont’d) A counterculture is a group within society that openly opposes society’s values and norms Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Variations in Culture (cont’d) Division between cultures is sometimes called a culture war. ideal culture: values you aspire to have real culture: values actually practiced Introduction to Sociology: Culture

High, Low, and Popular Culture High culture: forms of culture associated with the upper classes. Mercedes Benz, Yahts Popular culture: cultural expression associated with the masses Consumer goods, celebrity hair styles Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Cultural Change One of the key ways that material culture can change is through technology. How? Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Cultural Change (cont’d) Cultural diffusion: different groups share their material and nonmaterial culture with each other Cultural leveling occurs when cultures that were once distinct become increasingly similar to one another Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Cultural Change (cont’d) Cultural imperialism: forcing one culture’s beliefs and practices on another culture Can occur through mass media and consumer products Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Take Away Points Culture is a lens through which we view the world around us. It is also a filter that we are (mostly) unaware modifies our perception of reality. Culture is given to us from our ancestors and we recreate it through interaction with other people. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Lesson Quiz 1. A student who tries to objectively analyze the food that the people of a different culture eat is using: a. ethnocentrism. b. ethnography. c. cultural relativism. d. cultural spotting. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Lesson Quiz 2. According to our discussion, what is the most significant component of culture? a. norms b. food c. language d. values Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Lesson Quiz 3. Which of the following is NOT true concerning norms? a. Norms are specific to a culture, time period, and situation. b. Norms are the rules and guidelines regarding what kinds of behaviors are acceptable. c. Norms often develop directly out of values. d. Norms are completely unrelated to the situation. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Lesson Quiz 4. Which of the following would be considered a counterculture? a. Irish-Americans b. modern-day polygamists c. police officers d. fans of the Cleveland Browns Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Lesson Quiz 5. The spread of McDonald’s restaurants throughout Asia is an example of: a. technological determinism. b. cultural diffusion. c. cultural leveling. d. cultural imperialism. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture Lesson Quiz 6. The imposition of one culture’s beliefs, practices, and artifacts on another culture through mass media and consumer products is called: a. cultural imperialism. b. cultural leveling. c. cultural diffusion. d. cultural determinism. Introduction to Sociology: Culture

Introduction to Sociology: Culture For Next Time: Culture and society make their mark on you The Self and Social Interaction Be sure to Read! (check your syllabus for assigned readings!) Introduction to Sociology: Culture