SOC 101 Chapter 2

language

(Element of Culture) a set of symbols and rules that, combined in a meaningful way, provides a complex communication system

norms

(Element of Culture) specific cultural expectations for how to behave in a given situation can be *implicit* (informal) or *explicit* (formal)

cultural capital

(Pierre Bordieu-1984) The cultural resources deemed worthy (e.g. knowledge of elite culture) that give advantages to groups possessing such capital

beliefs

(ELEMENT OF CULTURE) shared ideas held collectively by people within a given culture about what is true

cultural studies

A new interdisciplinary field that builds on the insights of the symbolic interaction perspective. Argues that classical sociological approaches overemphasize nonmaterial culture. Influenced by postmodernist theory

rapidly

According to new cultural studies theorists, contemporary cultural forms are _____ changing, reflecting the highly technological and consumer-based culture on which the modern economy rests

counter cultures

subcultures created as a reaction against the values of the dominant culture; nonconformity is the hallmark

ethnocentrism

the habit of seeing things only from the point of view of one's own group; prevents the understanding of the world as others perceive it (and intergroup understanding)

cultural relativism

the idea that something can be understood and judged only in relation to the cultural context in which it appears

nonmaterial culture

the intangible norms, laws, customs, ideas and beliefs of a group of people

dominant culture

the culture of the most powerful group in society, often the *standard* by which other cultures in society are judged

subcultures

the cultures of groups whose values and norms of behavior differ to some degree from those of the dominant culture

shared, learned, taken for granted, symbolic, varies

Characteristics of culture: 1) Culture is ________ 2) Culture is ________ 3) Culture is _______ _____ _________ 4) Culture is ________ 5) Culture ______ across time and place

visibility

Cultural ______ for any group is important because it validates people and can influence the public's acceptance of and generate support for equal rights protection

conditions, diffusion, innovation, imposed

Cultural change occurs in response to... 1) Changed societal ________ 2) Cultural ________ 3) _______ ...though it can also be: 4) _________

physical, biological

Culture can even shape ______ and ______ characteristics of human beings

directly, indirectly

Culture is learned ______ through instruction as well as ________ through observation and imitation

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Assertion that language determines other aspects of culture because language provides the categories through which social reality is defined (in other words, language determines what people think as it forces people to *perceive* the world in particular terms)

solidarity, superiority

Ethnocentrism can be extreme or subtle and is a powerful force as it combines a strong sense of group ________ with the idea of group ________

difference

The greater the ________ of two cultures, the greater the culture shock.

symbolic interaction

(Which theoretical perspective?) Argues that culture: -Creates group identity from diverse cultural meanings -Changes a people produce new cultural meanings -Is socially constructed through the activities of social groups

functionalism

(Which theoretical perspective?) Argues that culture: -Integrates people into groups -Provides coherence and stability in society -Creates norms/values that integrate people in society

(new) cultural studies

(Which theoretical perspective?) Argues that culture: -Is ephemeral, unpredictable and constantly changing -Is a material manifestation of a consumer-oriented society -Is best understood by analyzing its artifacts--books, films and television images

feminist theory

(Which theoretical perspective?) Argues that culture: -Reflects the interests and perspectives of powerful men -Is anchored by the inequality of women -Creates images and values that reproduce sexist and racist images

conflict theory

(Which theoretical perspective?) Argues that culture: -Serves the interests of powerful groups -Can be a source of political resistance -Is increasingly controlled by economic monopolies

mores

(William Graham Summer 1906) strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior, providing strict codes, such as legal/religious injunctions violation brings *serious repercussions*

folkways

(William Graham Summer 1906) the general standards of behaviors adhered to by a group that are *loosely defined* and *loosely followed*

historical, cultural

Language emerges in specific ______ and _____ contexts

power

Language reflects inequality and ______ relationships, just as who gets to name whom.

language (.)

Learning the _______ of a culture is essential to becoming a part of society.

two

Modern scholars recognize a _____-way causality between language and culture.

legitimization techniques

People with tattoos used _____ _______ to counter the negative stereotypes associated with tattooing, aligning their behavior with their cultural values and norms.

elite

Popular culture is distinct from ______ culture, which is shared only by a select few but is highly valued.

potlach, conspicuous consumption

The ________ of the Kwakiutl, where wealthy chiefs give possessions away to followers and rivals varies greatly to the _______ ________ of the united states, where individuals buy items for the sake of displaying one's wealth

true

True or false? It is hard to isolate a single dominant "American" culture.

false

True or false? People do not passively internalize media images, *so images that form cultural ideals only have a small impact on people's behavior, values and self-image*

true

True or false? The media are owned by a small number of companies (media conglomerates/media monopolies) that are the major producers and distributors of culture

false

True or false? With all of the channels and choices available, television portrays a very diverse view of culture, with different stations catering to narrow audiences.

continuum

You can view cultures along a _______ of how well they are integrated into the dominant culture. For examples, some subcultures ______ from dominant culture (Amish) while others coexist with the dominant society (reform Jewish)

beliefs (.)

______ provide a *meaning system* around which culture is organized, shaping what people take to be possible and true.

digital divide

a term used to refer to the persistence of inequality in people's access to electronic information

ethnomethodology

a theoretical approach in sociology based on the idea that you can discover the normal social order through deliberately disrupting social norms

taboos

behaviors that bring the most social sanctions

reflection hypothesis

contends that the mass media reflect the values of the general population to appeal to the most broad-based audience; in this way, characters are created with whom people will identify (though are often distorted)

social sanctions

mechanisms of social control that enforce folkways, norms and mores, can be positive (rewards) or negative (punishments)

postmodernism

movement based on idea that society is not an objective thing; rather, it is found in the words and images that people use to represent behavior and ideas

content analysis

shows distinct patterns of how race, gender and class are depicted in various media forms

culture lag

society adjusting slowly to changing cultural conditions (e.g. how rapid technological change is often attenuated by elements of culture)

values

the abstract standards in a society that define ideal principles, such as what is desirable or morally correct

popular culture

the beliefs, practices, and objects that are part of everyday traditions, such as music and films, mass-marketed books and magazines, newspapers and websites

mass media

the channels of communication that are available to a wide segment of the population; has the power to *shape culture*, including what people *believe* and the *information available* to them (such as understanding of social problems)

culture

the complex system of meaning (ways of thinking) and behavior that defines the way of life for a given group or society

global culture

the diffusion of a single culture (marked by capitalist interests) throughout the world

culture shock

the feeling of disorientation when one encounters a ew or rapidly changed cultural situation

cultural hegemony

the pervasive and excessive influence of one culture throughout society; people may conform to cultural patterns and interests that benefits the powerful elite without overt control

material culture

the tangible objects created in a given society (e.g. buildings, art, tools, literature, toys, etc.) that are significant bc of the *meaning* they are given

cultural diffusion

the transmission of cultural elements from one society or cultural group to another

social media

the vast networks of social interaction that new media has inspired

laws

the written set of guidelines ("formalized mores") that define right and wrong in society

symbols

things/behaviors to which people give a meaning which is not inherent; can lead to social conflict when groups define them differently

cohesion, conflict

values can be a basis for cultural ______, but can also be a source of ______