Sociology Culture Chapter 3

law

a common type of formally defined norm providing an explicit statement about what is permissible and what is illegal in a given society. (page 84)

norm

a rule or guideline regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable and appropriate within a culture. (page 84)

multiculturalism

a policy that values diverse racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds and so encourages the retention of cultural differences within society rather than assimilation. (page 85)

hegemony

term developed by Antonio Gramsci to describe the cultural aspects of social control, whereby the ideas of the dominant social group are accepted by all of society. (page 86)

cultural diffusion

the dissemination of material and symbolic culture (tools and technology, beliefs and behavior) from one group to another. (page 91)

culture

the entire way of life of a group of people (including both material and symbolic elements) that acts as a lens through which one views the world and is passed from one generation to the next. (page 77)

social control

the formal and informal mechanisms used to elicit conformity to values and norms and thus increase social cohesion. (page 85)

Sapir-Whorf hypothesis

the idea that language structures thought and that ways of looking at the world are embedded in language. (page 8

symbolic culture

the ideas associated with a cultural group, including ways of thinking (beliefs, values, and assumptions) and ways of behaving (norms, interactions, and communication). (page 81); money

cultural imperialism

the imposition of one culture's beliefs and practices on another culture through mass media and consumer products rather than by military force. (page 93)

real culture

the norms, values, and patterns of behavior that actually exist within a society (which may or may not correspond to the society's ideals). (page 89)

ideal culture

the norms, values, and patterns of behavior that members of a society believe should be observed in principle. (page 89)

technological determinism

the notion that developments in technology provide the primary driving force behind social change. (page 91)

material culture

the objects associated with a cultural group, such as tools, machines, utensils, buildings, and artwork; any physical object to which we give social meaning. (page 81)

subculture

a group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle. (page 86)

counterculture

a group within society that openly rejects and / or actively opposes society's values and norms. (page 86)

folkway

a loosely enforced norm involving common customs, practices, or procedures that ensure smooth social interaction and acceptance. (page 84); loosely enforced like waiting in line

taboo

a norm ingrained so deeply that even thinking about violating it evokes strong feelings of disgust, horror, or revulsion. (page 84)

more

a norm that carries great moral significance, is closely related to the core values of a cultural group, and often involves severe repercussions for violators. (page 84); strongly enforced like stealing

sign

a symbol that stands for or conveys an idea. (page 81)

language

a system of communication using vocal sounds, gestures, or written symbols; the basis of symbolic culture and the primary means through which we communicate with one another and perpetuate our culture. (page 82)

culture wars

clashes within mainstream society over the values and norms that should be upheld. (page 87)

values

ideas about what is desirable or contemptible and right or wrong in a particular group; they articulate the essence of everything that a cultural group cherishes and honors. (page 84)

technology

material artifacts and the knowledge and techniques required to use them. (page 90)

sanction

positive or negative reactions to the ways that people follow or disobey norms, including rewards for conformity and punishments for violations. (page 85); reactions to behavior

cultural relativism

the principle of understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging or evaluating according to one's own culture. (page 78)

ethnocentrism

the principle of using one's own culture as a means or standard by which to evaluate another group or individual, leading to the view that cultures other than one's own are abnormal or inferior. (page 78)

cultural leveling

the process by which cultures that were once unique and distinct become increasingly similar. (page 91)

dominant culture

the values, norms, and practices of the group within society that is most powerful (in terms of wealth, prestige, status, influence, etc.). (page 85)

gestures

the ways in which people use their bodies to communicate without words; actions that have symbolic meaning. (page 82