Ch. 3 Culture

Question 1

What is culture?

Answer 1

The entire way of life of a group of people that includes language, behavior, customs, rituals, music, etc.

Question 2

What does culture provide us with?

Answer 2

Forms beliefs about how the world works and defines moral parameters of what is right and wrong

Question 3

Why is culture considered “second nature” to us?

Answer 3

We’ve learned our social behavior slowly over time throughout our lives. (Slang words, feelings of patriotism, opinions towards people)

Question 4

How might a cultural anthropologist study cultures of the past?

Answer 4

By digging for artifacts that document the historical realities of the life before

Question 5

How might a theologian or a philosopher study culture?

Answer 5

By debating the morals and values of an ideal culture

Question 6

How might a cultural anthropologist study culture outside of the U.S.?

Answer 6

By traveling the world and engaging in empirical fieldwork

Question 7

What are the disadvantage of engaging in “othering” (study of unusual cultures)?

Answer 7

Fail to recognize their own culture in everyday life.

Question 8

How can we elucidate our perspectives?

Answer 8

Being exposed to unfamiliar cultures makes it easy to identify the differences between their culture and ours.

Question 9

How can perspective be obscure?

Answer 9

It is hard to find strangeness in our own culture

Question 10

What is ethnocentrism?

Answer 10

Using our own culture as a standard by which we judge other cultures, leading to the idea that opposing cultures are abnormal or inferior

Question 11

What is cultural relativism?

Answer 11

Seeing other cultures as it is, rather than better or worse than our own

Question 12

Why is it important to have cultural relativism?

Answer 12

To understand others rituals in their own cultural context without judgement.

Question 13

How are signs an important part of society?

Answer 13

These symbols help convey information. (Traffic signals, emojis, etc.)

Question 14

Why are gestures important for society?

Answer 14

Body language is a way to communicate without words

Question 15

How can gestures be misinterpreted in other countries?

Answer 15

Universal and natural gestures to us can be offending in different cultures (thumbs up in Asia)

Question 16

What is language?

Answer 16

Combination of letters and words to form sentences as a way of communication and expression

Question 17

What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Answer 17

The idea that language structures thought and can create and alter perceptions.

Question 18

What are norms?

Answer 18

Rules and guidelines regarding what kinds of behaviors are acceptable that is developed in the culture’s value system.

Question 19

How can norms be broken down?

Answer 19

Folk ways, mores, taboos

Question 20

What are folk ways?

Answer 20

Actions of everyday life and choices that ensure smooth social interactions. (Rules of etiquette: eating w/fingers)

Question 21

What are mores?

Answer 21

Norms that are more closely related to the core values of a cultural group. (Prohibition of theft, murder, rape)

Question 22

What are taboos?

Answer 22

Most powerful form of norm that provokes feelings of disgust and horror (cannibalism or incest)

Question 23

What are sanctions?

Answer 23

Means of enforcing norms that includes rewards for conformity and punishment for violation

Question 24

Why are sanctions important?

Answer 24

To establish social control by ensuring that people behave to some degree in acceptable ways

Question 25

What is multiculturalism?

Answer 25

A policy honoring the diverse racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds of various individuals and groups

Question 26

Dominant Culture

Answer 26

Values, norms, and practices of the most powerful and mainstream groups

Question 27

What can be produced as a result of dominant culture?

Answer 27

Other views are seen as “alternative” or minority.

Question 28

What is hegemony?

Answer 28

Power of the dominant culture means that other forms are relegated to second class status.

Question 29

How has the dominant culture of the music industry played a role in commercial radio?

Answer 29

Songs that are played are dictated by station and record company business interests, not your artistic preference. They have the power to keep artists outside of the mainstream from becoming as popular as Lady Gaga or Bieber.

Question 30

What is a subculture?

Answer 30

A culture within a culture that exists harmoniously together (Korean Americans, senior citizens, greyhound owners)

Question 31

What is counterculture?

Answer 31

A subgroup that has norms and values in opposition to the mainstream

Question 32

Do all countercultures share the similar goals?

Answer 32

Some countercultures attempt to bring social change (anti-war protestors) and others live outside society by practicing alternative lifestyles.

Question 33

How is the group “Anonymous” part of the hacker subculture?

Answer 33

Members are united in their opposition to censorship or governmental control of the internet

Question 34

What is the difference between ideal culture and real culture?

Answer 34

Ideal culture is the norms and values that society believes should be observed in principle and real culture is the patterns of behavior that actually exist (US believes in equality yet doesn’t always deliver)

Question 35

Cultural Diffusion

Answer 35

Different groups share their material and nonmaterial culture with each other meaning that certain aspects will be appropriated

Question 36

Cultural Leveling

Answer 36

Cultures that were once distinct become increasingly similar to one another

Question 37

Cultural Imperialism

Answer 37

Media is viewed as an invading force that enters a country and takes it over