Intro Sociology Chapter 3 Culture

subculture

A group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle (page 82)

Which of the following is true concerning norms?

Norms often develop directly out of values

culture

The entire way of life of a group of people (including both material and symbolic elements) that acts as a lens through which one views the world and is passed from one generation to the next (page 72)

more

A norm that carries great moral significance, is closely related to the core values of a cultural group, and often involves severe repercussions for violators (page 80)

Which of the following statements about culture is true?

Culture is the entire way of life of a group of people. Culture includes both symbolic and material elements. Culture acts as a lens through which one views the world and is passed on from one generation to the next. All of these statements about culture are true.

technology

Material artifacts and the knowledge and techniques required to use them (page 87)

Which of the following is true concerning ideal culture and real culture?

Real culture and ideal culture do clash with each other at times.

cultural diffusion

The dissemination of beliefs and practices from one group to another (page 88)

social control

The formal and informal mechanisms used to elicit conformity to values and norms and thus increase social cohesion (page 80)

cultural imperialism

The imposition of one culture's beliefs and practices on another culture through mass media and consumer products rather than by military force (page 92)

real culture

The norms, values, and patterns of behavior that actually exist within a society (which may or may not correspond to the society's ideals) (page 86)

ideal culture

The norms, values, and patterns of behavior that members of a society believe should be observed in principle (page 86)

technological determinism

The notion that developments in technology provide the primary driving force behind social change (page 88)

cultural relativism

The principle of understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging or evaluating according to one's own culture (page 74)

gestures

The ways in which people use their bodies to communicate without words; actions that have symbolic meaning (page 78)

Which of the following is true about social control

When it is most effective, it feels like self-control

Which of the following is an example of a positive sanction?

a smile

The imposition of one culture's beliefs, practices, and artifacts on another culture through mass media and consumer products is called:

cultural imperialism

A student who claims that another culture is really weird because of the food that the people of that culture eat is using:

ethnocentrism

A person wearing sandals while dressed in a suit is likely violating a

folkway

A perspective that values diverse racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds and encourages the retention of cultural differences within society is called:

multiculturalism

The set of shared beliefs about what a group of people considers to be worthwhile or desirable in life is called:

values.

law

A common type of formally defined norm providing an explicit statement about what is permissible and what is illegal in a given society (page 79)

counterculture

A group within society that openly rejects and/or actively opposes society's values and norms (page 83)

folkway

A loosely enforced norm involving common customs, practices, or procedures that ensure smooth social interaction and acceptance (page 80)

taboo

A norm ingrained so deeply that even thinking about violating it evokes strong feelings of disgust, horror, or revulsion (page 80)

multiculturalism

A policy that values diverse racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds and so encourages the retention of cultural differences within society rather than assimilation (page 82)

norm

A rule or guideline regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable and appropriate within a culture (page 79)

sign

A symbol that stands for or conveys an idea (page 77)

language

A system of communication using vocal sounds, gestures, or written symbols; the basis of symbolic culture and the primary means through which we communicate with one another and perpetuate our culture (page 78)

culture wars

Clashes within mainstream society over the values and norms that should be upheld (page 86)

Which of the following statements is true concerning cultural change?

Cultural diffusion usually occurs in the direction from more developed to less developed nation

he spread of McDonald's restaurants throughout Asia is an example of:

Cultural diffusion.

A student who tries to objectively analyze the food that the people of a different culture eat is using:

cultural relativism.

when Marshall McLuhan asserted that "the medium is the message," he was arguing that

he changing forms of media dispersion (e.g., TV, radio, the internet) are as important or more important for cultural change than the content of the media.

Marijuana laws over the course of U.S. history illustrate:

that norms change over time and across contexts and that changes in such norms are not always predictable

The idea that language structures thought and that ways of looking at the world are embedded in language is called:

the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

Which of the following would be considered a counterculture?

the black panthers

values

Ideas about what is desirable or contemptible and right or wrong in a particular group. They articulate the essence of everything that a cultural group cherishes and honors. (page 79)

sanction

Positive or negative reactions to the ways that people follow or disobey norms, including rewards for conformity and punishments for violations (page 80)

hegemony

Term developed by Antonio Gramsci to describe the cultural aspects of social control, whereby the ideas of the dominant social group are accepted by all of society (page 82)

Sapir-Whorf hypothesis

The idea that language structures thought and that ways of looking at the world are embedded in language (page 78)

symbolic culture

The ideas associated with a cultural group, including ways of thinking (beliefs, values, and assumptions) and ways of behaving (norms, interactions, and communication) (page 77)

material culture

The objects associated with a cultural group, such as tools, machines, utensils, buildings, and artwork; any physical object to which we give social meaning (page 76)

ethnocentrism

The principle of using one's own culture as a means or standard by which to evaluate another group or individual, leading to the view that cultures other than one's own are abnormal or inferior (page 74)

cultural leveling

The process by which cultures that were once unique and distinct become increasingly similar (page 91)

According to the text, why is the spread of shows like Grey's Anatomy or Friends to other countries potentially problematic?

The value placed on sexual freedom in U.S. culture that is portrayed in these shows can antagonize cultures that place a higher value on moral restraint, which may result in anti-American sentiment.

dominant culture

The values, norms, and practices of the group within society that is most powerful (in terms of wealth, prestige, status, influence, etc.) (page 82)

Which of the following is true about social control?

When it is most effective, it feels like self-control

Which of the following is NOT true of technological change?

When sociologists discuss technology and technological change, they are referring to electronic technology alone and not to other tools to reshape our material and cultural environments.

culture wars are frequently played out

in the media

Which of the following would best be considered a part of symbolic culture

language

The physical objects associated with a cultural group refer to

material culture

The physical objects associated with a cultural group refer to:

material culture.

The formal and informal mechanisms used to increase conformity to values and norms and thus increase social cohesion are referred to as:

social control

A group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle is a:

subcultural

Which of the following is the correct order of norms in terms of their ingrained significance (with the most significant starting on the left)?

taboos - more - folkways