Components of Culture The basic components of all cultures that vary from society to society.

1. Technology Physical objects (tools) and the rules for using them Includes skills/procedures necessary to make & use tools Emerging technologies a.k.a. “new technologies” Ex. printing press & computer Sets framework for nonmaterial culture… influencing the way people think & how they relate to one another

Cultural Lag: occurs when not all parts of culture change @ same pace Material culture changes faster than nonmaterial culture. WHY???

Cultural Diffusion: Cultural Leveling: Transmission of cultural characteristics More likely to occur with material culture Occurs more rapidly today as a result of: Technology Transportation Communication Cultural Leveling: Occurs when cultures become similar to one another Ex. Japan has adopted the Western culture in many ways

2. Symbols Anything that represents something else Through symbols we create culture (attach meaning) and communicate it to group members Examples of symbols: Words -Objects Gestures -Events Images Sounds

3. Language Organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system Primary means of communication between people Allows for cumulative history of people Allows for social (shared) past & future Allows for exchange of perspectives (complex, shared, goal-directed behavior) Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: when we learn words, we learn a way of thinking and perceiving; our language determines our consciousness

4. Values Shared beliefs about what is good/bad, right/wrong, desirable/undesirable, beautiful/ugly Determine character of people & the material and non-material culture they create Every group develops values & expectations regarding the right way to reflect them

5. Norms Expectations (rules of behavior) that develop out of a group’s values Can vary in enforcement Can be applied differently or selectively to different groups

Norms vary in their importance to a culture Folkways: describe socially acceptable behavior, that do not have great moral significance Not strictly enforced Can vary by groups Mores: norms believed to be essential to core values and that have great moral significance Require conformity Violation of mores threatens society’s well-being and stability Laws are formally defined mores enacted and enforced by the government Taboo: norms so strongly ingrained that even the thought of them is greeting with revulsion

Sanctions: enforcement of norms Positive Sanctions Negative Sanctions Expressions of approval Money Prize Smile Handshake Sticker Applause Denote disapproval for breaking a norm Fine Frown Harsh words Ridicule Ticket In addition to positive/negative, sanctions can also be formal or informal .

Moral Holiday: specified times when people are allowed to break norms and not worry about sanctions Mardi Gras Spring Break