Ch. 3 Culture Flashcards
What is culture?
The entire way of life of a group of people that includes language, behavior, customs, rituals, music, etc.
What does culture provide us with?
Forms beliefs about how the world works and defines moral parameters of what is right and wrong
Why is culture considered “second nature” to us?
We’ve learned our social behavior slowly over time throughout our lives. (Slang words, feelings of patriotism, opinions towards people)
How might a cultural anthropologist study cultures of the past?
By digging for artifacts that document the historical realities of the life before
How might a theologian or a philosopher study culture?
By debating the morals and values of an ideal culture
How might a cultural anthropologist study culture outside of the U.S.?
By traveling the world and engaging in empirical fieldwork
What are the disadvantage of engaging in “othering” (study of unusual cultures)?
Fail to recognize their own culture in everyday life.
How can we elucidate our perspectives?
Being exposed to unfamiliar cultures makes it easy to identify the differences between their culture and ours.
How can perspective be obscure?
It is hard to find strangeness in our own culture
What is ethnocentrism?
Using our own culture as a standard by which we judge other cultures, leading to the idea that opposing cultures are abnormal or inferior
What is cultural relativism?
Seeing other cultures as it is, rather than better or worse than our own
Why is it important to have cultural relativism?
To understand others rituals in their own cultural context without judgement.
How are signs an important part of society?
These symbols help convey information. (Traffic signals, emojis, etc.)
Why are gestures important for society?
Body language is a way to communicate without words
How can gestures be misinterpreted in other countries?
Universal and natural gestures to us can be offending in different cultures (thumbs up in Asia)
What is language?
Combination of letters and words to form sentences as a way of communication and expression
What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
The idea that language structures thought and can create and alter perceptions.
What are norms?
Rules and guidelines regarding what kinds of behaviors are acceptable that is developed in the culture’s value system.
How can norms be broken down?
Folk ways, mores, taboos
What are folk ways?
Actions of everyday life and choices that ensure smooth social interactions. (Rules of etiquette: eating w/fingers)
What are mores?
Norms that are more closely related to the core values of a cultural group. (Prohibition of theft, murder, rape)
What are taboos?
Most powerful form of norm that provokes feelings of disgust and horror (cannibalism or incest)
What are sanctions?
Means of enforcing norms that includes rewards for conformity and punishment for violation
Why are sanctions important?
To establish social control by ensuring that people behave to some degree in acceptable ways
