2.) Culture, Individualism versus Collectivism, Cultural Imperialism

Many different cultures are present in America. Do you think America is a "melting pot" or a "tossed salad?"

"Tossed salad" This pertains to the country (cultural diffusion) now, even though before it would be considered a melting pot.

Which type of group within society openly rejects, and may actively oppose, society's values and norms?

A counterculture

What is subculture?

A group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle. Subcultures in the U.S.: the culture of Amish people, rednecks in the South, vegetarians, college students, high school students, hippies, those who listen to a specific type of music, etc. There are also subcultures that one belongs to on social media. There are many subcultures out there. You can belong to many subcultures.

What is counterculture?

A group within society that openly rejects, and may actively oppose, society's values and norms. Countercultures don't necessarily interact with the dominant cultures because they tend to be less powerful than the dominant culture. Examples: cults, criminals (kind-of), many groups that reject certain medical practices, White Supremacists, etc.

Which of the following is NOT a component of culture? material culture signs language symbolic culture

All of the above are components of culture.

What is individualism?

Broad value tendencies emphasize importance of individual over group identity, rights, and needs. Promotes self-sufficiency, personal responsibility, and autonomy. Pattern found in northern and western Europe and North America. Top individualist values: freedom, honesty, social recognition, comfort, hedonism, and personal equity. The idea that the individual comes before the group; you're much more concerned of your own needs than those around you. The U.S. is the prototype of individualism, for example. Both individuals and countries can be defined as individualistic. Examples/evidence of individualism in U.S. is: the fact that most people will move for a job, awards such as MVP and employee of the month, becoming independent, acceptable/normal here to put elders in nursery home (in other countries that believe in collectivism would find this a disgrace).

In your opinion, technology's impact on American culture has been mainly positive or negative?

Can be debated. Positive because lifestyle is better with technology (think medicine), but human interaction has decreased and we have begun to depend on technology too much (which is negative).

What is the dissemination of beliefs and practices from one group to another?

Cultural diffusion

Distinguish between material and symbolic culture, and provide an example of each.

Culture consists of two different categories: material culture and symbolic culture. Material culture includes the objects associated with a cultural group, such as tools, machines, utensils, buildings, and artwork. Symbolic culture includes ways of thinking (beliefs, values, and assumptions) and ways of behaving (norms, interactions, and communication). One of the most important functions of symbolic culture is to allow us to communicate through signs, gestures, and language. Material culture: think about souvenirs and their symbolism Symbolic culture: more heavier/valued because it is something that is learned through participation; can't be bought like material culture. Think of a picture of SLU campus in the eye of material culture symbolism: historical, Jesuit tradition, ethnicity, presence of The Cross in every room to remind of the Catholic Jesuit Tradition, blue, etc. -Signs (or symbols), such as a traffic signal or product logo, are used to meaningfully represent something else. -Gestures are the signs that we make with our body, such as hand gestures and facial expressions; it is important to note that these gestures also carry meaning.

What are some of the defining characteristics of culture?

Culture includes things such as language, standards of beauty, hand gestures, styles of dress, food, and music. Culture is learned. It is passed from one generation to the next through communication - not genetics. Language carries so much more than words (words carry culture); not everything can be translated literally. This is why it is probably the most important one in this list. Beauty: thin (in U.S.) vs. not thin, fertility is valued; or making sure you're eating enough (in South Africa, for example). Dress: traditional dress (in European countries) during events and dances. Food: the great connector of people.

Define cultural change.

Cultures usually change slowly and incrementally, though change can also happen in rapid and dramatic ways. At times, a subculture can influence the mainstream and become part of dominant culture, or something that is dominant can change to a counterculture. Examples of slow and incremental change: acceptance of race/ethnic relations/diversity Examples of fast cultural change: technology; politics, science/medicine Examples of a subculture becoming a part of the dominant culture/ or dominant culture being changed to a counterculture: today, the majority is White; but by 2020, it is predicted that Spanish will be the number 1 language and that the Hispanics will be the majority in the U.S.

What is collectivism?

Emphasize importance of "we" over "I" identity Group over individual rights, and ingroup needs over individual wants and desires. Promotes relational interdependence, ingroup harmony, and collaborative spirit. Pattern found in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, and the Pacific islands. Top collectivist values: harmony, face-saving, filial piety (respecting parents' wishes), equality in distributing rewards among peers (for sake of group harmony), and fulfillment of others' needs. Think "we." Responsibilities come first, and personal rights comes second. Examples: passing up a job that requires one to move in order to stay with family. Problem in the U.S.: very diverse (everyone is an immigrant), and thus it is a mesh of both individualism and collectivism.

When William goes on vacation to Germany, he sees older children having a small glass of wine with their parents while at dinner. William, being from the United States, believes this is wrong. This is an example of...

Ethnocentrism (many countries do not have the legal drinking age set the same as in the U.S.)

Define cultural imperialism.

Imposition of one's culture's beliefs and practices on another culture through media and consumer products rather than by military force Popular term during the 1990s and early 2000s (internet came around, improvement of media, etc.) Think of restaurant logos, Coca Cola logo, Nike logo, etc. Example of cultural imperialism: going to a McDonalds in a different country can put ethnic restaurants out of business (because it is cheaper). In a way, you colonize/impose on that country's restaurants, food, and thus business by bringing in factors/values such as beliefs that food should be fast, cheap, and convenient.

Is culture more innate (inborn) or learned?

It is more learned.

Language is the most significant component of culture. Explain the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

Language is a system of communication using vocal sounds, gestures, and written symbols. The most significant component of culture because it allows us to communicate. Shapes not only our communication but our perceptions and how we see things as well. Sapir-Whorf hypothesis: idea that language structures thought, and ways of looking at the world are embedded in language. Basically says that language shapes the way we think, and the way we perceive things and our reality.

The difference between individualism and collectivism, and examples of each.

Most important value dimension that shapes our sense of self Major cultural constructs by which to contrast and compare societies and individuals Makes a distinction between those who define themselves independently of groups (individualists), and those define themselves in relation to social groups (collectivists)

Explain variations in culture.

Multiculturalism values diverse racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds and thus encourages the retention of cultural differences within society, rather than assimilation. -Melting pot (assimilation) - the U.S. (although some cultural aspects are retained, you're still assimilated). -However, multiculturalism states that these differences in culture should be embraced and not tried to be blended in (this has been encouraged for good mental health according to latest research; meaning, it is good for one's mental health to embrace his/her cultural identity). Those with best mental health are those that can embrace both own cultural identity and that of where they are living.

Is it easy for us to perceive our own culture and see how it shapes and defines who we are?

No, it is not easy. Think of fish being out of water.

What is ethnocentrism and why is it important?

Occurs when people use their own culture as a standard to evaluate another group or individual, leading to the view that cultures other than their own are abnormal. -Little girl washing her teeth: family picture because we value hygiene (hand sanitizers, soap, anti-bacterial wipes, etc.). -A service at an African American church: some can identify with the image, while others don't. It's an alternative way of how people pray. -Hinduism: also an alternative way of how people pray -Islam: also an alternative way of how people pray -There is one God, people just pray to him differently, and have/follow a path that lead to him differently.

What is dominant culture?

Refers to the values, norms, and practices of the group within society that is most powerful in terms of wealth, prestige, status, and influence. There is always that one dominant culture that is most powerful (not by numbers, but by other factors). In the U.S., the most common culture is referred to as WASP (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant); tends to include males rather than females. Example of dominant culture that is most powerful by other factors, not including by numbers: South Africa (by numbers, is predominantly Black but the Whites hold the power (most wealth, positions, etc.)).

Which perspective explores the ways in which components of culture such as norms and values contribute to the organization and stability of society?

Structural functionalism (it means that everything has a function/ a role including values, beliefs, etc. of a culture).

In Pennsylvania, there is a large neighborhood primarily consisting of Amish people. They live harmoniously with their non-Amish neighbors. They are distinctive because of the clothes they wear and the horses and buggies they opt to drive in the neighborhood. The Amish are an example of a...

Subculture. However, it is possibly to argue that they are a counterculture as well, but it's mainly a subculture (although, some things that they do, can make them a counterculture).

Define culture.

The entire way of life for a group of people. Sum total of socially inherited characteristics of a human group that comprises everything which one generation can tell, convey, or hand down to the next. The non-physically inherited traits we possess. It is hard for us to see our own culture, so we may not recognize the extent to which it shapes and defines who we are. Culture is like two mirrors facing each other: It simultaneously reflects and creates the world we live in. -Think about cross-cultural experience. Culture is always flux and always changing.

Which of the following are examples of material culture? Mark all that apply. __ the "play" icon on a DVD player __ a spatula __ a Little Mermaid DVD __ a hammer

The last three. Spatula (Western) - can be used for different things (to completely understand this tool, we need to read the history of the spatula). A Little Mermaid DVD - it teaches you so much about what views that particular culture values (it's about the implicit and explicit messages that are inside the DVD; and it is targeted for little kids. Hammer (kind of like the spatula) - it is a very Western type of tool, but still used in other countries. If had to choose one, probably choose that it is a material culture, but both sides can be argued with good supporting details. -The "play" icon is actually a sign or symbol, which is associated with symbolic culture instead.

What is cultural relativism and why is it important?

The process of understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging according to one's own culture. When studying any group, it is important to try to employ cultural relativism because it helps sociologists see others more objectively. It's important to step out of that comfort zone, and see other cultures on their own terms rather than judging by own beliefs.