sociology ch3: culture

society

A community of people who share a common culture

The Ku Klux Klan is an example of what part of culture? a. Counterculture b. Subculture c. Multiculturalism d. Afrocentricity

A. Counterculture

Your 83-year-old grandmother has been using a computer for some time now. As a way to keep in touch, you frequently send e-mails of a few lines to let her know about your day. She calls after every e-mail to respond point by point, but she has never e-mailed a response back. This can be viewed as an example of: A. cultural lag B. Innovation C. ethnocentricity D. xenophobia

A. Cultural lag

Rodney and Elise are American students studying abroad in Italy. When they are introduced to their host families, the families kiss them on both cheeks. When Rodney's host brother introduces himself and kisses Rodney on both cheeks, Rodney pulls back in surprise. Where he is from, unless they are romantically involved, men do not kiss one another. This is an example of: A. culture shock B. imperialism C. ethnocentrism D. xenocentrism

A. Culture shock

An example of high culture is ___________, whereas an example of popular culture would be ____________. A. Dostoevsky style in film; "American Idol" winners B. medical marijuana; film noir C. country music; pop music D. political theory; sociological theory

A. Dostoevsky style in film; American idol winner

A nation's flag is: A. A symbol B. A value C. A culture D. A folkway

A. Symbol

The Occupy Wall Street movement of 2011 grew to be an international movement. Supporters believe that the economic disparity between the highest economic class and the mid to lower economic classes is growing at an exponentially alarming rate. A sociologist who studies that movement by examining the interactions between members at Occupy camps would most likely use what theoretical approach? A. Symbolic interactionism B. Functionalism C.Conflict theory D. Ethnocentrism

A. Symbolic interactionism

That McDonald's is found in almost every country around the world is an example of: A. globalization B. diffusion D. culture lag D. xenocentrism

B. Diffusion

The major difference between invention and discovery is: A. Invention is based on technology, whereas discovery is usually based on culture B. Discovery involves finding something that already exists, but invention puts things together in a new way C. Invention refers to material culture, whereas discovery can be material or theoretic, like laws of physics D. Invention is typically used to refer to international objects, whereas discovery refers to that which is local to one's culture

B. Discovery involves finding something that already exists, but invention puts things together in a new way

What theoretical perspective views society as having a system of interdependent inherently connected parts? A. Sociobiology B. Functionalism C. Conflict theory D. Ethnocentrism

B. Functionalism

The "American Dream"—the notion that anybody can be successful and rich if they work hard enough—is most commonly associated with which sociological theory? A. Sociobiology B. Functionalism C. Conflict theory D. Ethnocentrism

C. Conflict theory

The existence of social norms, both formal and informal, is one of the main things that inform ___________, otherwise known as a way to encourage social conformity. A. values B. sanctions C. social control D. mores

C. Social control

The belief that one's culture is inferior to another culture is called: A. ethnocentrism B. nationalism C. xenocentrism D. Imperialism

C. Xenocentrism

A sociologist conducts research into the ways that Hispanic American students are historically underprivileged in the American education system. What theoretical approach is the sociologist using? A. Symbolic interactionism B. Functionalism C. Conflict theory D. Ethnocentrism

D. Conflict theory

The American flag is a material object that denotes the United States of America; however, there are certain connotations that many associate with the flag, like bravery and freedom. In this example, what are bravery and freedom? A. Symbols B. Language C. Material culture D. Nonmaterial culture

D. Nonmaterial culture

Most cultures have been found to identify laughter as a sign of humor, joy, or pleasure. Likewise, most cultures recognize music in some form. Music and laughter are examples of: A. relativism B. ethnocentrism C. xenocentrism D. universalism

D. Universalism

Values

a culture's standard for discerning what is good and just in society

Subculture

a smaller cultural group within a larger culture; people of a subculture are part of the larger culture, but also share a specific identity within a smaller group.

language

a symbolic system through which people communicate and through which culture is transmitted.

social control

a way to encourage conformity to cultural norms.

How does a functionalist interpret culture?

acknowledges that there are many parts of culture that work together as a system to fulfill society's needs. Functionalists view culture as a reflection of society's values.

culture shock

an experience of personal disorientation when confronted with an unfamiliar way of life

Counterculture

are a type of subculture that rejects some of the larger culture's norms and values.

formal norms

are established, written rules. They are behaviors worked out and agreed upon in order to suit and serve the most people.

The notion that people cannot feel or experience something that they do not have a word for can be explained by: A. linguistics B. Sapir-Whorf C. Ethnographic imagery D. bilingualism

b. Sapir-Whorf

The terms _________________ and ______________ are often used interchangeably, but have nuances that differentiate them. A. imperialism and relativism B. culture and society C. society and ethnocentrism D. ethnocentrism and xenocentrism

b. culture and society

Spair-Whorf Hypothesis

based on the idea that people experience their world through their language, and that they therefore understand their world through the culture embedded in their language.

Cultural sanctions can also be viewed as ways that society: A. Establishes leaders B. Determines language C. Regulates behavior D. Determines laws

c. Regulates behavior

Modern-day hipsters are an example of: a. ethnocentricity b. counterculture c. subculture d. high culture

c. subculture

informal norms

casual behaviors that are generally and widely conformed to—is longer. People learn informal norms by observation, imitation, and general socialization

nonmaterial culture

consists of the ideas, attitudes, and beliefs of a society.

Some jobs today advertise in multinational markets and permit telecommuting in lieu of working from a primary location. This broadening of the job market and the way that jobs are performed can be attributed to: A. cultural lag B. Innovation C. discovery D. globalization

d. globalization

Ethnocentricism

evaluating and judging another culture based on how it compares to one's own cultural norms, involves a belief or attitude that one's own culture is better than all others.

Symbols

gestures, signs, objects, signals, and words—help people understand the world. Symbols provide clues to understanding experiences. They convey recognizable meanings that are shared by societies.

sanction

giving their support, approval, or permission, or by instilling formal actions of disapproval and non-support.

Norms

how to behave in accordance with what a society has defined as good, right, and important, and most members of the society adhere to them.

discoveries

make known previously unknown but existing aspects of reality

The biggest difference between mores and folkways is that A. mores are primarily linked to morality, whereas folkways are primarily linked to being commonplace within a culture B. mores are absolute, whereas folkways are temporary C. mores refer to material culture, whereas folkways refer to nonmaterial culture D. mores refer to nonmaterial culture, whereas folkways refer to material culture

mores are primarily linked to morality, whereas folkways are primarily linked to being commonplace within a culture

Mores

norms that embody the moral views and principles of a group. Violating them can have serious consequences. The strongest mores are legally protected with laws or other formal norms

Folkways

norms without any moral underpinnings. Rather, folkways direct appropriate behavior in the day-to-day practices and expressions of a culture.

cultural universals

patterns or traits that are globally common to all societies. - often revolve around basic human survival, such as finding food, clothing, and shelter, or around shared human experiences, such as birth and death, or illness and healing. - other universals include language, the concept of personal names, and, jokes ex: the family unit

How does an interactionist interpret culture?

primarily interested in culture as experienced in the daily interactions between individuals and the symbols that comprise a culture

Culture lag

refer to this time that elapses between when a new item of material culture is introduced and when it becomes an accepted part of nonmaterial culture (Ogburn 1957).

innovation

refers to an object or concept's initial appearance in society—it's innovative because it is markedly new

Popular culture

refers to the pattern of cultural experiences and attitudes that exist in mainstream society. Popular culture events might include a parade, a baseball game, or the season finale of a TV show.

Inventions

result when something new is formed from existing objects or concepts—when things are put together in an entirely new manner

How does a conflict theorist interpret culture?

see culture as inherently unequal, based upon factors like gender, class, race, and age.

Beliefs

tenets or convictions that people hold to be true

Xenocentrism

the belief that another culture is superior to one's own.

Culture

the beliefs and behaviors that a social group shares

cultural imperialism

the deliberate imposition of one's own cultural values on another culture.

material culture

the objects or belongings of a group of people

high culture

the pattern of cultural experiences and attitudes that exist in the highest class segments of a society. People often associate high culture with intellectualism, political power, and prestige.

cultural relativism

the practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of one's own culture

Globalization

the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

Diffusion

the spread of material and nonmaterial culture from one culture to another

ideal culture

the standards society would like to embrace and live up to.

real culture

the way society actually is, based on what occurs and exists.