1. CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity
Sociology
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CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity
Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Section 2: Cultural Variation
Chapter 2

2. Objectives: Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Sociology
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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

3. Culture Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

4. CULTURE Material Culture Non material Culture Examples Examples
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

5. Basic Components of Culture
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

6. Basic Components of Culture
Sociology
1/2/2019
Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Basic Components of Culture
Folkways – norms that describe socially acceptable behavior (common customs of everyday life)
Mores – norms that have great moral significance attached to them
Laws – written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by governments
Values – shared beliefs about what is good and bad or right or wrong
Chapter 2

7. Basic Components of Culture
Sociology
1/2/2019
Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Basic Components of Culture
Culture Trait – simplest level of culture, an individual tool, act, or belief that is related to a particular situation or need.
Culture Complexes – cluster of interrelated traits. (Think Football and all that goes with it)
Culture Pattern – combination of a number of culture complexes into an interrelated whole. (Think all sports)
Chapter 2

8. Objectives: Section 2: Cultural Variation
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

9. Cultural Universals Section 2: Cultural Variation
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

10. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

11. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

12. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

13. Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism
Sociology
1/2/2019
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
Chapter 2

14. Factors That Account for Variations Among and Within Cultures
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

15. Factors That Account for Variations Among and Within Cultures
Sociology
1/2/2019
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

16. Chapter Wrap-Up Section 2: Cultural Variation
Sociology
1/2/2019
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 cultural traits, cultural complexes, and cultural patterns differ?
4. What is ethnocentrism? How does it differ from cultural relativism?
5. How are subcultures and countercultures related?
Chapter 2