Culture

Ethnocentrism & Culture Relativism

Ethnocentrism: involves judging another culture exclusively by the standards of ones own. (example: driving on the opposite side of the road, appropriate animal food, pets, all in comparison to what your culture's norm is.) Cultural Relativism: appreciating that all cultures have intrinsic worth and need to be evaluated and understoon on their own terms. (example: avoiding judging someone else's culture because it is worthy too even though its different) Culture Shock: If you are surrounded by an unnatural culture you experience culture shock. Its difficult to behave correctly when its not natural to you. Re-entry Shock: Re-enter the country of origin re-exposing to "original culture."

Sociological approach

Functionalism: culture plays a part in helping to meet needs. In other words, its functional for society to have a shared culture to work together. It brings order and for everyone to cooperate. Conflict Theory: views society on tension and conflict over scarce resources, those who have power define the culture's ideology. Material relationships means everyone wants power and wants the things other people have from the higher class members. Symbolic Interactionism: is how culture is created and recreated through social interaction. Culture is constantly being changed through generations so it focuses on symbols and gestures, and language.

Cultural Variation

High Culture: middle-upper class. The set of prefrences, tastes, and norms that are characteristic of high status groups. Like buying certain things to make people notice you, and make a high statement. It's symbolic of the income you are achieving. All of this is named conspicuous consumption. Popular Culture: is general society, the culture of ordinary people. It changes dramatically. Cultural Capital: a body of knowlege and interpersonal skills that help people get ahead socially! non financial social aspects. (learning manners, dress for success, polite conversation)

Cultural Diversity

Subculture: Subculture's are a small culture within the dominant culture. Not going against folkways but setting themselves apart. Often based on race, ethnicity, and religion. Counterculture: A type of subculture that strongly opposes the widely held cultural patterns of the dominant and larger population. (example: gangs)

Language & Culture

a symbol is something that carries meaning or representation. a language is a shared symbol of rules and meaning. Seen as a key identifier of cultural boundaries. When language dies, culture dies. = cultural amnesia

What is Culture?

culture is usually patterned by the expectations of your behavior. It is passed on from one person to another, and shared by values, religion and food. 5 Defining features: Culture is LEARNED, it is not something we are born with but something we learn by social interaction. Culture is SHARED, developed through interaction shared symbols and what they mean. Culture is TRANSMITTED, passed on to several generations, adding to it through each and every generation. Culture is CUMULATIVE Culture is HUMAN

Types of Culture

what is right and what is wrong, beliefs based on what we have come to believe. Material Culture: are things you can touch like the tangible artifacts in a given culture. Non-Material Culture: the tangible and abstract components of a society, including values and norms. Values are beliefs ideal goals and behaviors, norms are rules that outline appropriate behavior, sanction are anything that rewards appropriate behavior or penalizes inappropriate behavior. A more is a norm that carry a strong sense of social importance.