Chapter 2, Culture Defining Culture The Elements of Culture Cultural Diversity The Globalization of Culture Popular Culture Theoretical Perspectives on Culture Cultural Change

Characteristics of Culture 1. Culture is shared. 2. Culture is learned. 3. Culture is taken for granted. 4. Culture is symbolic. 5. Culture varies across time and place.

The Elements of Culture Language Norms Beliefs Values

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Language forces people to perceive the world in certain terms. Critics question whether language single- handedly dictates the perception of reality.

Ethnomethodology Technique for studying human interaction. By disrupting social norms we can discover the true social order. Culture is enforced by the social sanctions applied to those who violate the norms.

Ethnocentrism Judging a culture by the standards of one’s own culture. Builds group solidarity, but discourages intercultural or inter group understanding. Can lead to overt political conflict, war, and even genocide.

Racism and Sexism in the Media The mass media promotes narrow definitions of who people are and what they can be. Images of women and racial and ethnic minorities in the media are limiting. Images in the media help form cultural ideals and have a huge impact on people’s behavior, values and self-image.

Functionalist Perspectives on Culture Integrates people into groups. Provides coherence and stability in society. Creates norms and values that integrate people in society.

Conflict Theory Perspectives of Culture Serves the interest of powerful groups. Can be a source of political resistance. Is increasingly controlled by economic monopolies.

Symbolic Interaction Perspectives on culture Creates group identity from diverse cultural meaning systems. Changes as people produce new cultural meaning systems. Is socially constructed through the activities of social groups.

New Cultural Studies Perspectives on Culture Is ephemeral, unpredictable and constantly changing. Is a material manifestation of a consumer- oriented society. Is best understood by analyzing its artifacts such as books, films and television images.

Sources of Cultural Change 1. Change in societal conditions. 2. Innovation. 3. Imposition by an outside agency (an invasion or political revolution).