Material Culture Final Exam

objects

are contemporary material culture, provide information about what we are like and how we live now

environmental problems and damage

are mostly caused by cumulative actions of individuals

theory of the leisure class

as fast as a person makes new acquisitions, and becomes accustomed to a new standard of wealth, the new standard ceases to afford appreciably greater satisfaction than the earlier standard did

balinese strive to

avoid conflicts and resolutions and to maintain a steady state

four basic types of skills we need to express our creativity

capturing, challenging, broadening, surroundings

the conscience can punish the ego through what?

causing feelings of guilt

marketers create new luxuries by

changing fashions, intentionally limiting supplies, setting high prices for new innovations, producing serial collectibles, claiming new and improved technologies

a theory is a mode of explanation and interpretation that always

constructs connections

"cute" in japanese culture

consumer cultural phenomenon, seen in fashionable clothing and accessories, childish behavior and attitude, includes adulation of idol singers and talents, may be seen in pokemon

id

demands immediate satisfaction

rangdas role in the dance

evil spirits can enter people and make them act in self destructive or anti social ways, commanded by "leak" witch like spirits

sociological theory attempts to understand how institutions function in society regarding _____

family

theories of material culture

freudian psychoanalytic, semiotic, sociological, marxist

ascribed status may be based on

gender, age, status of family in which we were born

at a base level, economic decisions are driven by what?

greed, fear, and ego

semiotic theory approach to material culture

has the ability to interpret objects and artifacts, explains how objects tie in to cultural codes, explains how objects tie into socialization

myths are sacred narratives that

have an important role in shaping human behavior

an artifact may be classified as corresponding to what?

id, ego, superego

freudian psychoanalytic theory discusses

id, ego, superego

freuds structural hypothesis

id: pleasure principle with no regard for reality ego: attempts to avoid displeasure or pain superego: idealized self

manifest functions are

intended, of which we are conscious

semiotic approach

is from the greek semion (signs), studies life of signs within society, regards artifacts as signs whose meaning and significance have to be determined

belief in divine providence

justified an unequal distribution of wealth, gave great comfort to the ruling class as it justified their positions and lifestyles, determines our economic fate

artifacts word formation

latin: artis (skill in joining) facere (to make or do)

myths operate by validating what?

laws, customs, rites, institutions, beliefs

symbols must be _____

learned

four reasons to downsize from a larger home

less financial stress, less maintenance, more freedom, more comfort

george simmel believed that fashionable items

lose distinctiveness and are replaced

material culture is the world of things that people what?

make, purchase, or possess

according to _____ we develop strong emotional attachments to our possessions

marxism

conspicuous consumption

means by which men attempt to excel their neighbors and attain heightened self evaluation

achieved status may be based on _____

merits

rangda

mythical queen of the witches in bali and is locked into a never-ending battle with her nemesis barony

marxists say

needs are not real, they are artificially imposed by advertising agencies and marketers, we become convinced we need to purchase products to make us happy

is materialism positively or negatively identified?

negative

do marxists believer clothes we wear send messages to others about ourselves?

no

is there a current fashion war between lower class and elite fashions?

no

grid group theory

objects and services we buy and possess are culturally defined and best understood as being tied to our lifestyles

proletariat refers to

persons exploited by bourgeois/workers

both the crown jewels and kula objects were reported to be

possessed for the sake of possession itself

uses and gratification theory indicates artifacts may

provide beauty, diversion, distraction, allow us to imitate models we respect

In Roshomon, four different people give four different versions of what?

reality; and we wonder how do we know reality? how do we know truth?

freudian psychoanalytic theory allows us to analyze material culture in terms of the way artifacts

reflect various unconscious needs and desires and relates to our psychological makeup

materialism can be found in

rich countries, USA, developing countries, many countries regardless of economic status

charles sander pierce called his theory _____

semiotics

masks continued

serve as powerful statements about perception, change wearers face by exaggerating or concealing features, express shadow personality, embraced by many cultures

products sold in regular shaped containers

signify protection and security and enable them to escape the fear of chaos

a theory is an optic that focuses on what?

specific subject matter

a meme is an idea, behavior, or style that

spreads from person to person within a culture and acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices

socialization

teaches roles for various situations, may be done improperly, behavior may be initialized by clothing and or other objects

what is true about material displayed in the artifacts lab?

temperature between 60-65 degrees, limit light exposure, rotate items in and out of the exhibit to reduce exposure over extended periods of time

ethos

the expression of a culturally standardized system of organization of the instincts and emotions of the individuals and suggests that balinese have an ethos, which can be described as a steady state

marshall mcluhan is known for popularizing what?

the global village and the medium is the message

mimetic desire

the way people imitate the desires of others

a _____ is a way of seeing

theory

why are the barong masks important?

they offer a way of gaining insights into balinese culture and personality

schismogenesis

to describe most cultures in which these intense rivalries and hostilities build up and reach climaxes

goals for sociology include

to know in order to predict in order to control

common characteristic of religious beliefs

two terms profane and sacred

an artifact may be considered on the _____ level. there may be _____ connected to the artifact

unconscious level; unrecognized symbolic meaning connected

marxism says that _____ leads to class conflict

unequal distribution of goods

emile durkheim indicated

we are 2 beings in 1, we are individuals and social beings, duality has consequences

masks

worn during dances, rites of passage, festivals, celebrations, serve as powerful symbols of identity and power, express complex beliefs often associated with deep convictions, serve as powerful statements about identity

is it vital for you to know the key buying motivations for your products or services?

yes

anthropology is a greek word that comes from

"logos" meaning words about "anthropo" meaning man or humans

an example of an icon is

a coin with an important persons face on it

SAD is

a condition where the internal clock may be thrown for a loop if it does not sense a burst of morning light

the primary factor leading people focus attention on purchases is _____

alienation

culture is a collective name for what?

all behavior patterns socially acquired and transmitted by the means of symbols

balinese state of mind

animists and believe in supernatural forces, but always living in a state of tension and anxiety as the battle between good and evil continues