1. Chapter 2 Cultural Diversity
Most sociologists believe that people are not locked into predetermined sets of behaviors. They are changed by their environments.

2. What is culture?
Culture consists of all the shared products of human groups.
Include physical objects
Material culture
books, cars, clothing, etc.
Include beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group.
Nonmaterial culture
Language, rules, politics, etc.

3. What is society? Society
A group of interdependent people who have organized in such a way as to share a common culture in unity.
Society = People
Culture = Materials and nonmaterial products
that people create.

4. Components of Culture Technology
Knowledge and material goods people use for practical purposes.
Internet
Cars
phones
Why are sociologists interested in technology?
Want to know if people misuse technology for personal desire
Hacking systems
Running over people
Threatening people on the phone

5. Language
Language
Organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system.
Used to express ideas of a culture

6. Values Values Shared beliefs about what is good, bad, right, or wrong.
Language and symbols allow us to communicate our values

7. Norms
Norms
Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations.
Example: In US, value of a democratic government is reinforced through norms such as:
Stating the Pledge of Allegiance
Respect to the flag

8. Norms Norms = expected behavior in society Norms ≠ actual behavior
Example:
People are taught to pay their bills
People don’t always pay their bills

9. Folkways
Norms that describe socially acceptable behavior but do not have great moral significance attached to them.
“common customs”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full!”
Do your homework!”
Shake hands when you meet someone.”
Little punishment if you do not follow these rules.

10. Social Mores Opposite of Folkways
Mores = Norms with great moral significance!
Violation of such rules endangers society’s well being and stability
Ex: murder, fraud, etc.
Laws are written to keep people from going against social mores.
Laws = written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by the government.

11. 3 levels of Culture
Culture Trait
Culture Complexes
Culture Patterns

12. Culture Traits Simplest level of a culture
Culture traits = an individual act or belief that is related to a particular situation or need.
Examples
using a fork at the dinner table
Saying Hi to a friend

13. Culture Complexes
Individual culture traits combine to form next level called culture complexes
Cluster of interrelated traits.
Examples of a family’s culture complexes:
Mom and Dad
Siblings
Jobs
Schools
Religion

14. Culture Patterns Culture complexes combine to make culture patterns.
Combination of a number of culture complexes into an interrelated whole group.
Culture Traits Culture Complexes Culture Patterns