Chp 2 - Culture Flashcards
define CULTURE
complex system of meaning and behavior that defines the way of life for a given group/society
what are aspects of culture
belief, morals, values, knowledge, art, language, laws, customs, ways of thinking, patterns of behavior
what is the purpose of culture
- defines what is perceived as good and bad
- give ppl sense of belonging
- instruct how to behave
- tell what to think
define MATERIAL CULTURE
objects created in given society
define NONMATERIAL CULTURE
equally strong/stronger influence than material culture
define ETHNOCENTRICISM
only seeing things from pov of own group
ethnocentrism stresses
group solidarity and superiority
define CULTURAL RELATIVISM
something must be understood and judged only in relation to cultural context which it apepars
define CULTURE SHOCK
disorientation when encountering new/rapidly changed cultural situation
characteristics of culture (is)
- shared
- learned
- taken for granted
- symbolic
- varies across time and place
define SYMBOLS
things/behaviors to which ppl give meaning
t/f: symbols do not have inherent meaning
true, meaning is bestowed by people
define LANGUAGE
set of symbols and rules combined in a meaningful way to provide complex communication system
define SAPIR-WHORF HYPOTHESIS
language determines other aspects of culture bc it provides categories thru which social reality is defined; tells what is important in culture
define NORMS
specific cultural expectations for how to behave in given situation (dos and donts)
give an example of a norm
manners
what is the significance of William Sumner
Folkways and Mores
define VALUES
abstract standards that define ideal principles
give an example of values
liberty and freedom
give and example of belief
religion
define BELIEFS
shared ideas about what is true held collectively by ppl within given culture providing the basis for many norms and values
define FOLKWAYS
general standards of behavior adhered to by group
give examples of folkways
cultural forms of dress and food habits
give an example of mores
laws and religious doctrines
define MORES
strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior
define LAWS
written guidelines that define right and wrong in societ
define SOCIAL SANCTIONS
mechanisms of social control that enforce folkways, mores, and norms
define TABOOS
behavior that bring most serious sanctions
define ETHNOMETHODOLOGY
theoretical approach based on idea that you can discover normal social order through disrupting it
define DOMINANT CULTURE
culture of most powerful group in society in which social institutions give it some legitimacy and is the standard which other cultures are judged
do dominant cultures need to be the culture of the majority?
no
define SUBCULTURE
smaller groups sthat mimic dominant culture with some differences and reinterpretations