CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity Sociology 4/17/2017 CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Section 2: Cultural Variation Chapter 2

Objectives: Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Objectives: Define the meaning of the term culture and explain how material culture and non- material culture differ. Identify and describe the basic components of culture. Chapter 2

Culture Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Culture Culture – consists of all the shared products of human groups which include physical objects, beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group Material Culture – are physical objects that people create and use such as books, buildings, clothing, and cooking Nonmaterial Culture – are abstract human creations that include beliefs, family patterns, ideas, and language Chapter 2

CULTURE Material Culture Non material Culture Examples Examples Sociology 4/17/2017 CULTURE all the shared products of human groups Material Culture Non material Culture physical objects that people create and use abstract human creations Examples Examples automobiles, books, buildings, clothing, computers, and cooking beliefs, family patterns, ideas, language, political and economic systems, and rules Chapter 2

Basic Components of Culture Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Basic Components of Culture Technology – physical objects and rules for using them Symbols – anything that represents something else and has a shared meaning Language – the organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system Values – shared beliefs about what is good and bad or right or wrong Norms – shared rules of conduct Chapter 2

Examining Culture Cultural traits Individual tool, act, or belief that is related to a particular situation or need. Greeting Eating utensils

Culture Complex Culture Pattern Cluster of interrelated cultural traits School Professional sports Culture Pattern Combination of many culture complexes into a related whole. American Athletics

Objectives: Section 2: Cultural Variation Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 2: Cultural Variation Objectives: Describe cultural universals and explain why they exist. Explain what the terms ethnocentrism and cultural relativism mean. Identify factors that account for variations among and within cultures. Chapter 2

Cultural Universals Section 2: Cultural Variation Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 2: Cultural Variation Cultural Universals Cultural universals – general traits common to all cultures Exist because some needs are so basic that all societies must develop certain features to ensure their fulfillment Chapter 2

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 2: Cultural Variation Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism  Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior to all others.  People in all societies are at times ethnocentric.  When ethnocentrism is too extreme, cultural growth may stagnate. –  Limiting the number of immigrants into a society can cause this.  Extreme ethnocentrism can also lead to conflicts such as wars. Chapter 2

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 2: Cultural Variation Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism  Cultural relativism is the belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards. –  Researchers attempt to understand cultural practices from the point of view of the people they are studying. Participant Observation useful Chapter 2

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 2: Cultural Variation Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism  Cultural relativism helps sociologists in understanding why people in different societies have different cultural norms. –    e.g. the Sepoy Rebellion of India in 1857 (gunpowder cartridges were sealed with pig or beef fat, both are religiously offensive to Hindu and Muslims) Chapter 2

Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism Example Example Sociology 4/17/2017 Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism the tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior to other different cultures belief that a culture should be judged by its own standards rather than by those of another culture Example Example Chapter 2

Factors That Account for Variations Among and Within Cultures Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 2: Cultural Variation Factors That Account for Variations Among and Within Cultures Subculture – shared values, norms and behaviors that are not shared by the entire population Counterculture – rejection of the major values, norms, and practices of the larger society and replacing them with a new set of cultural values The old older Amish are a good example of a counterculture. They have done everything they can to demonstrate their separation from the world around them.. Chapter 2

Chapter Wrap-Up Section 2: Cultural Variation Sociology 4/17/2017 Section 2: Cultural Variation Chapter Wrap-Up 1. List five examples of material culture and five examples of nonmaterial culture. 2. What is language, and why is it such an important part of culture? 3. How do folkways, mores, and laws differ? List three examples of each type of norm. 4. How do cultural traits, cultural complexes, and cultural patterns differ? 5. How did Margaret Mead contribute to the study of cultures? 6. What is ethnocentrism? How does it differ from cultural relativism? 7. How are subcultures and countercultures related? Chapter 2

Essay Questions Identify the three levels of culture studied by sociologist and explain how they are related. (you may use a graphic organizer to help with your explanation) Discuss the conclusions of Margret Mead research concerning temperament, explain how she arrived at her conclusion. 3. Describe the environmental factors that might account for the differences between the Arapesh and the Mundugumor 4. Explain what ethnocentrism is, how it is different from cultural relativism and why extreme ethnocentrism can cause a culture to stagnate?