SOC111 Chapter 3

Which theorist focused on how cultural values serve to unite people?

Emile Durkheim

Culture is biologically based and not learned. T/F?

False

Generosity and compassion are referred to as hedonism. T/F?

False

Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution would be considered an element of material culture. T/F?

False

Most symbols are universal and have similar meanings in various cultures. T/F?

False

Poorer countries, like Kenya, have now begun to produce their own media and rely little on Western culture. T/F?

False

Religious fundamentalists stay out of the political arena. T/F?

False

Sharing a language comes with sharing a culture. T/F?

False

What is the primary argument of those who oppose the ban on wearing face-covering veils in public?

It does not allow women the right to express their religious faith.

What is the key concept underlying the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Languages affect how their speakers think and behave.

What is the difference between a more and a folkway?

Mores are more strictly enforced than folkways.

What did Samuel Huntington argue?

Most global conflicts would occur between cultures rather than countries.

From a sociological perspective, which of the following is NOT a potential shortcoming in Samuel Huntington's theory?

None of the civilizations he identified has a dominant racial group.

Which of the following statements about norms is FALSE?

Norms are rigid.

How does the statement "We are like fish in water" apply to the concept of culture?

Our culture seems natural to us and we take it as a given.

Which of the following statements is generally true about the United States?

People are highly individualistic.

Which of the following statements would be considered a dominant ideology in the United States?

People should be able to practice whatever religion that they choose.

Which researcher has found that there are about ten distinct values that have a similar meaning across cultures?

Shalom Schwartz

Which of the following statements about language is FALSE?

Sharing a language means sharing a culture.

Anisa lives and works in Washington, D.C. She has a very stable job that provides her with a good income and standard of living. As she goes to work each day, she notices that there are many homeless people, often with signs asking for help or with cups out asking for spare change. Anisa notices that many people walk by and often give these people looks of disgust. She believes that it's important to support those in our society who live in poverty or are homeless. She often gives money, buys someone a meal, or takes food to the local food bank. Why does Anisa engage in these behaviors?

She values helping the poor and feels that her behavior and actions should match what she values.

Japanese students typically attend school more hours per day than American students. In Japan, learning is more group-centered and focused than in the United States. Teamwork and cooperation are also stressed in Japanese schools, whereas students in the United States are taught to have more individualistic values. What would explain the differences between Japanese and American schools?

The dominant ideology in Japan supports a more cooperative education than the United States.

Why are the issues of abortion and gay rights so contentious in the United States, as compared to in other industrialized nations?

The high level of religiosity in the U.S. tends to influence political debates.

The internet has made it possible for most people to order all their clothing online. While this may be a preference for some people, most people still go to shopping malls and stores to purchase their clothing. People might give a variety of reasons for not wanting to use the internet exclusively. What likely accounts for the difference in preference?

There is a cultural lag between having the internet and using the technology to its full capacity.

What did Lori Holyfield's research reveal about the symbol of the Confederate flag?

There were multiple meanings given to the Confederate flag.

Which of the following statements is true regarding subcultures?

They allow people to express distinct lifestyles and interests.

Which of the following statements is FALSE about cultural objects?

They are a part of nonmaterial culture as well as material culture.

Which of the following is true about religious fundamentalists?

They believe in the literal interpretation of a sacred text.

Why are some people in poorer countries concerned about the Western media products being imported into their countries?

They fear that local culture will be eroded.

Throughout much of Western history, images of white, professional, middle-class men represented the dominant culture. Why was this case?

This is the group that was in power and saw themselves as representing the dominant culture.

Behaviors are the actions associated with a group that help reproduce a distinct way of life. T/F?

True

Cannibalism is considered to be widespread taboo.

True

Culture operates at multiple levels. T/F?

True

Hitler was xenophobic. T/F?

True

The American flag is a symbol. T/F?

True

The Amish are a group living in Pennsylvania and Ohio that rejects most of modern technology. T/F?

True

The Nollywood films produced in Nigeria are an example of an alternative to globalized culture.

True

The swastika was an ancient symbol that was used in many cultures. T/F?

True

In most countries, citizens hold their country in high regard and typically have high levels of patriotism. After the United States experienced the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many Americans felt even more patriotic and viewed the United States as the best country in the world. What does this view reflect?

a belief

Steve decided to go with his friend Wendy to visit a nudist retreat. Of course, everyone Steve encountered was naked. He didn't quite feel comfortable walking around completely naked, so he chose to be partially clothed. A few people stared at Steve. In that setting, what was Steve violating by being partially clothed?

a folkway

In the United States, when stepping into an elevator, people often move to the back to allow others to get on or get off. This is an example of

a norm.

Suzanne wants to be a body builder. She works out four or five times a week at the gym. She has met many nice people there and she has a group with whom she can talk and train. Some members of this group have also become her friends and they are involved in social activities together. What would Suzanne and her group of friends be considered?

a subculture

Athletes who train and participate in triathlons would be considered examples of

a subculture.

What is another way to refer to culture?

a way of life

When Fernando and Olivia moved from Mexico to the United States, they were expected to learn English. At their jobs, it was expected that they become fluent English speakers and that they would adapt to the dominant corporate culture. When they participated in the pot luck lunches at work, most people preferred that they bring an American dish. What were Fernando and Olivia experiencing?

assimilation

Actions associated with a group that help to reproduce a distinctive way of life are known as

behaviors.

All of the following are ways in which local industries in poor countries have been competing with Western media for local audiences EXCEPT

buying out Western companies that are their competitors.

In many European democracies, citizens are provided with a strong government safety net. Which of the following best describes these societies?

collective

For which of the following reasons did several European countries ban women from wearing face-covering veils in public?

concerns regarding gender equality

People sharing a common language, worldview, history, and tradition can promote

consensus.

Observers have pointed out that culture wars are the product of

conservatives.

The Black Panthers and the Ku Klux Klan could be considered examples of

countercultures.

The ability to understand and address the needs of people from different cultures is referred to as

cultural competence.

Siobhan was traveling to Spain for the first time. She had never traveled to Europe before but was very excited and wanted to be well prepared. She spent a lot of time checking out library books, talking to travel agents, and reading many articles and viewing pictures posted on the Internet. When she went to Spain, Siobhan encountered very little for which she was not prepared, but if she did, on what would she rely?

cultural knowledge

In many larger cities across the United States, various ethnic groups host parades, play music, prepare food, and demonstrate rituals or traditions. This is an opportunity for people of similar ethnicity to gather and share their cultural heritage. It also provides an opportunity for those who do not belong to the culture to learn more and appreciate the diversity of others. Which form of cultural activism does this describe?

cultural pride

When Luther traveled to South America, he visited many different countries and experienced a variety of cultures. He tried different foods, witnessed some rituals that he had never encountered, and heard different languages spoken. He found that even though this was very different from his way of life, he could appreciate the richness of what he saw and tried to understand how those traditions might work for the people who lived there. What was Luther practicing?

cultural relativism

An Australian billboard that associated Nike with slave labor is an example of

culture jamming.

Which of the following describes the ways that new technological developments often outpace the norms that govern our collective experiences with these new technologies?

culture lag

Nahid was born and raised in a town with a population of about 20,000 people. Her family never left their small town so she didn't really think about it either. She attended college about thirty miles from home. When she decided to look for a job, she knew that she might have to move in order to find her dream job. She received a job offer from a company in New York City. When she moved there, she found that it was radically different on many levels from where she grew up. She knew that it would take time for her to adjust. What was Nahid experiencing by moving and living in New York City?

culture shock

The disagreement about handing out condoms in schools is an example of a

culture war.

Global public opinion surveys have found significant differences in the degree of support for all of the following EXCEPT for

democracy.

A variant of a language with its unique accent and vocabulary is known as a

dialect.

Which type of culture do the mass media typically represent and reflect?

dominant culture

Within a society, a culture in which the ideas and practices of those in power are represented is known as a(n)

dominant culture.

Historically, which group is most likely to have access to and experience high culture?

elites

What have anticorporate activists in the United States done to promote cultural activism?

established independent media outlets

Margie was learning about the Maasai people in Africa from her teacher. Her teacher was telling the class about the circumcision rituals that boys undergo at about the age of 10 when they are ready to become warriors. At this time, the boys paint their faces white and dress in black. Margie commented that this sounded like a very odd ritual and that she could not understand why anyone would want to be a part of this tribe. What was Margie exhibiting?

ethnocentrism

Judging other cultures by the standards of one's own on the assumption that one's own is superior is known as

ethnocentrism.

Maria is Hispanic and teaches elementary school. She wants to teach her students a little about her culture. She wants to share her knowledge of cooking with the students. She takes flour tortillas, a tortilla pan, tortilla chips, and salsa to her school classroom. Which of the above items could be considered cultural objects?

flour tortillas, tortilla pan, chips, salsa, classroom, school

Which of the following terms indicates traditional practices, often passed on orally from generation to generation?

folk culture

What is a primary goal of multicultural societies?

having people with different ways of life try to coexist

The seeking of personal pleasure is referred to as

hedonism.

Jeff was raised in an upper-middle-class family. He attended private school throughout his high school years. In high school, he had many opportunities to attend art museums, the opera, ballet, symphonies, and many other cultural events. His family also enjoyed these activities, and once a month they took him and his two siblings to a major cultural event. If one was not available in their town they would travel to another large metropolitan city. These are examples of Jeff and his family experiencing

high culture.

Which recent style has introduced music, language, and dance to raise awareness of racial discrimination?

hip-hop

Iman believes that all people should have equal opportunities and be treated equally. However, as she has gotten to know a wide variety of people and circumstances she has come to realize that, in reality, in our society people do not always have equal opportunities and are often not treated fairly. What would her beliefs be classified as?

ideal culture

What is a system of meaning that helps define, explain, and make value judgments about the world?

ideology

Where does nonmaterial culture exist?

in the world of thoughts and ideas

If your cell phone rings in the library and others give you a disapproving look, you have likely violated a(n)

informal norm.

Subcultures—including countercultures—are often responsible for

introducing innovation and change to mainstream culture.

Alia and Geoff have recently begun to date one another. They communicate through a variety of means such as talking on the phone, texting, and e-mailing, as well as video chatting. They both like to plan events in advance. They call one another to discuss what they are going to do the following week on their date. They are able to make plans because of a shared

language.

Cars, homes, and boats would be considered what aspect of culture?

material

Judy attends a small, private, Catholic high school in the suburb in which she and her parents live. Her brothers and sister attend this school as well. Judy likes her friends and the education that she receives. Sometimes she is jealous of her friends in the public high school because they can wear whatever they like and the rules are not as strict as in her high school. Judy knows that she needs to follow these rules. Judy's situation reflects culture operating at which level?

meso

Many universities often value and celebrate cultural differences. This value is known as

multiculturalism.

Norms for participation in the online world are known as

netiquette.

People attending a college football game are participating in an example of

popular culture.

Increasingly, people tend to measure the value of most cultural objects by their

profitability.

Women continue to receive lower wages for similar jobs in society. This is an example of

real culture.

What did Samuel Huntington view as the fundamental difference among the "civilizations" he described?

religious beliefs

Ordering internet providers to block Facebook because one of its pages promoted "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" was identified as an example of

religious fundamentalism.

A large group of people who live together in a specific area and share a culture is known as a

society.

A sound, gesture, image, or object that represents something else is known as a(n)

symbol.

What perspective emphasizes micro-level interactions?

symbolic interactionist

Which of the following groups could be considered xenophobic?

the Ku Klux Klan

Which of the following measures do critics of multiculturalism support?

the adoption of "English only" laws

Many multicultural communities will have signs available in both English and the languages spoken by the local community. What is the purpose for this?

to accommodate various cultural groups

When people teach their children to push only the button of the floor that they need when going into the elevator, what is the purpose?

to teach appropriate behaviors

Which of the following values would dominate in a theocratic society, ruled or controlled by religious authorities, like in Iran or Saudi Arabia?

tradition and conformity

Robin Williams is a sociologist who identified fifteen American values. All of the following are among the items in that list EXCEPT for

universalism.

The appreciation of and concern for all humanity is referred to as

universalism.

All of the following were identified as netiquette norms EXCEPT for

using photographic filters that do not portray the real you.

The unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or people from other cultures is referred to as

xenophobia.