Sociology: Cultural Assignment

Ethnocentrism

1. Judging other cultures because of the way they dress. When woman wear clothes that cover everything but their eyes we say thats weird. 2. Thinking that using Chopsticks is weird 3. When people don't speak english we automatically think they are stupid. I think that all of these things are negative. I think Americans are one of the most ethnocentric nations out there. We always think that we are above everyone else just because of where we are from. We just assume that everyone wants to be just like us when thats not true. I think that this is bad and we should become more accepting of other cultures.

According to your text, what are the 5 qualities of language that make it possible for culture to exist.

1. Language allows human experience to be cumulative. 2. Language provides a social or shared past. 3. Language provides a social or shared future. 4. Language allows shared perspectives 5. Language allows complex, shared, goal-directed behavior.

Non-Material Culture

A groups way of thinking including beliefs, values, other assumptions about the world. Examples: Language, values, and beliefs

Positive Sanction

A reward or positive reaction for following norms, ranging from a smile to a prize.

Negative Sanction

An expression of disapproval for breaking a norm, ranging from a mild, informal reaction such as a frown to a formal reaction such as a prison sentence or an execution.

Symbolic Culture

Another term for non-material culture.

What are vaules?

Core Values: Achievement and success Individualism Activity and work Efficiency and Practicality Science and Technology Progress Material comfort Humanitarianism

What is the relationship between cultural lag and new technology?

Cultural Lag: Ogburn's term for human behavior lagging behind technological innovations. New Technology: The emerging technologies of an era that have a significant impact on social life. The relationship between the two are when new technology comes out it changes how we interact with other people and it impacts our lives. But sometimes we have a cultural lag which means people don't evolve fast enough with the new technology. For example we have summers off because long ago parents needed their kids for planting and harvesting but with new technology we don't need that but we still continue to have summers off.

Explain the process of cultural diffusion and how it contributes to cultural leveling.

Cultural diffusion: the spread of cultural characteristics from one group to another. Cultural Leveling: The process by which cultures become similar to one another; especially refers to the process by which U.S. culture is being exported and diffused into other nations. When you spread some parts of your culture to other parts of the world it starts to have cultural leveling which is making things more and more similar to somewhere else.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Edward Sapir's and Benjamin Whorf's hypothesis that language creates ways of thinking and perceiving.

What is the difference between folkways, mores, and taboos? Describe the difference between them and give an example of each. Which is most offensive? Least offensive?

Folkways: Norms that are not strictly enforced Example: Someone refuses to shake your hand. Mores: Norms that are strictly enforced because they are thought essential to core values or the well-being of the group. Example: It is not okay for someone to be nude in public. Taboos: A norm so strong that it often brings revulsion if violated Example: Flowers - giving an even number of flowers is taboo in Russia because they are for the dead Doing something Taboo is very offensive and a folkway is the least offensive thing.

Material Culture

Material objects that distinguish a group of people such as their art, buildings, weapons, clothing, hairstyles.

Cultural Relativism

Not judging a culture but trying to understand it on its own terms.

Symbol

Something to which people attach meanings and then use to communicate with others.

What is a subculture and a counterculture? What is the main difference between the two? Provide an example of each.

Subculture: The values and related behaviors of a group that distinguish its members from the larger culture; a world within a world. Example: Counterculture: a group whose values, beliefs, and related behaviors place its members in opposition to the broader culture. Example:

Culture Shock

The disorientation that people experience when they come in contact with a fundamentally different culture and can no longer depend on their taken for granted assumptions about life.

Ideal Culture

The ideal values and norms of a people; the goals held out for them.

Real Culture

The norms and values that people actually follow. Example:

Ethnocentrism

The use of one's own culture as a yardstick for judging the ways of other individuals or societies, generally leading to a negative evaluation of their values, norms, and behaviors

Gesture

The ways in which people use their bodies to communicate with one another.

Value Contradiction

Values that contradict one another, to follow the one means to come into conflict with the other. When something has a value contradiction something like group superiority contradicts freedom, democracy, and equality so something has to give. Example: Same sex marriage. We say equality for all but we won't allow people to marry the ones they love. This has lead to social change because we are becoming much more accepting of people being different and are changing to help make them feel more welcome. But we still have a lot more to do.

Are either you a member of any subculture? Which ones? Why is your group considered a subculture and what is the relationship of your group to the mainstream?

Yes, i am a member of the Eden Prairie subculture. This is considered a subculture because we have different values and norms than other schools in the country, for example our subculture has "the wall" as an important part of our culture. Some of our norms and beliefs are mainstream as well, like getting good grades, or having the best sports team, or getting into a good college are all things that are mainstream with other subcultures.