chapter 8 Flashcards
what are norms?
culturally defined standards of conduct
The challenge of defining culture
view of culture presented
social differences
human variation
inequality
subjugation
oppression
preliminary definition of culture
a set of common understandings, manifest in act and artifact
customs, laws, dress, architectural style, social standards, and traditions are all examples of cultural elements
Enlightenment
historicial tradition- intellectual orientations
rank by logic, reason, technology
romantic
historical traditions- intellectual orientations
all people/cultures are relatively equal
charge of ‘political correctness’ by some but not about app;ying different standards to different people
biological determinism
the attempt to differentiate social behavior largely on the basis of biological and genetic endowment
cultural relativism (romantic)
just differences in culture that reflect different frameworks of meaning and understanding and thus results in different lifestyles and ways of living
human agency
is central in terms of the debate about the extent to which individuals have the power to influence culture vs be shpaed by it; agency (voluntarism) vs structure (determinsim)
materialist perspective
emphasis on environment, technology, and economy’s role in creating, maintaining, and changing culture
marxism
neo-marxist critical theory
cultural ecology
mentalist perspective
create, maintain, and cha ge culture based on their beliefs, values, language, and symbolic representations
interpretive antropology
culturalism
structuralism
post-structuralism
post-modernism
what are 3 major culture types
traditional culture
modern culture
postmodernism
traditional culture
pre modern culture
preindustrial societies based on subsistence agriculture
modern culture
characterized by rationality, industrialization, urbanization, and capitalism of the 20th century
postmodernism
contemporary culture characterized by global electronic communications
practice orientation
wants t pexplain what poepel do; how do social systems shape values, beliefs, and behavior; how do people perpetuate or change culture
history
soical structure
human agency
history
includes chains of events and experiences to which people react…. ‘choices’ made by people but within unchosen constraints
structure
ordered forms and systems of human behavior in public life
(capitalism, kinship, public education)
Human agency
people are participants, capable of exercising theirs will to shape their lives (not merely puppets)
values
beliefs about what is important or unimportant, desirable or undesirable, and right or wrong (normative)
not shared by all
ideology
set of shared beliefs that explain the social world and guide people’s actions, especially in relation to economic and political theory and policy
how the ways things are or should work
symbols
something that stands for something else
in baptism, water stands for something sacred and holy
verbal (language) nonverbal (standing for national anthem) artifact (flag)
language
system of words or signs used to express thoughts and feelings
types- spoken, written, nonverbal
norms
culturally defined standards of conduct/behavior reinforced sanctions
folkways- desirable behavior, not strictly enforced
mores- hold moral siginigance, more important
subculture
involve poeple who accept much of the dominant culture but distinguish themselves by one or more culturally significant characterisitics
counterculture
differs in significant ways from dominant culture, also rejects norms and values of the larger culture
amish, Ku Klux Klan
ideal culture vs real culture
ideal: values and practices that are considered desirable
real: what people actually think and do
may not be realized; ignored
Ethnocentrism
belief that one’s own culture is normal, natural, and superior to othercultures
creates misunderstandings
cultural relativism
calls t osuspend judgement of other cultural values and practices in order to undersand them in their own cultural context
don’t need to accept or agree with cultural practices- it’s about underssntading them and being self-reflective
cultural humility
an individual’s culture has pros and cons too; other cultures should not be judged
prejudice
unjustifiable negative thoughts or attitudes about another person/group
stereotypes
general characteristics ascribed to a group of people
implicit bias
unconscious positive or negative attitudes for one group over another
xenophobia
fear/hatred of foreigners of foreign things (often the result of ethnocentrism)
patriotism vs nationalism
power
ability to act in a chosen way and to direct or influence the behavior of others
can create an imbalance between groups when power is not equal
hegemony
ability of a dominant group to obtain consent and agreement to cultural values and norms without use or threat of force
critical theory perspective
race
systems of classification using certain physical characteristics to divide people into supposedly discrete groups
system is flawed
no genetically distinct groups of people
ethnicity
sense of cultural, histroical, and ancestral connection to a group of people
ethnic identity
part of identity derived from one’s sense of being part of an ethnic group
assimilation
minority groups/immigrants expected to adipt new culture’s norm
mulitcultiralism
minority groups/ immigrants retain original ethnic culture and pick up new culture
ethnic cleansing
ridding area of minorities
gender
culturally created
sex is biologically determined
intersex: individuals with bodies not clearly female or male
male and female stereotypes contribute to gender
social class
based on wealth, income, and social position which produces unequal access to resources
culture of poverty
poverty creates beliefs, values, and behaviors that reingorce pverty despite economic improvements
redlining
denying loans to minorities in certain areas for racist reasons
Disability and three types of models
what is seen as a disability is culturally influenced
traditional model
medical model
social model
traditional model
seen as unfortunate or damaged; solution is to isolate or segregate them
medical model
seen as having a medical condition; solution is to isolate or segregate them
social model
environment creates the perception of impairment; solution is to fix the environment
innovation
new idea, tool, or method
primary- creation, invention, or chance discovery
secondary- new application or modification of something old
diffusion
how ideas, tools, and methods spread
cultural loss
existing tool, idea, or method is lost
Assimilation
cultural uniqueness of minorities is abandoned and members try to blend into the dominant culture
accommodation
partial or selective cultural change. Non-dominant groups follow norms, rules, and standards of the dominant culture only in specific circumstances and contexts
acculturation
mutual sharing of culture; groups remain distinct, but certain elements of culture change through exchange
