conceptions of culture and boundary work Flashcards
code switching
the practice of alternating between two or more languages or cultural norms in conversation or communication.
collective representations
shared ideas, symbols, images, or mental constructs that are collectively held by a group of people.
cultural toolkit
the set of skills, knowledge, practices, and symbols that individuals in a particular culture possess and use to navigate and understand their social world
high culture
associated with wealth and restricted to the upper classes of society.
material culture
artifacts, things that you can touch, materialistic items.
norms
a shared expectation or rule about appropriate behavior in a given social group or culture.
popular culture
aimed at the younger generation and transmitted via the mass media, have a mass appeal.
rituals
symbolic, structured, and often repetitive activities or ceremonies that hold cultural or religious significance
symbols
objects, words, gestures, or images that represent or stand for something beyond their literal meaning
values
fundamental beliefs or principles that guide individuals or a society in determining what is desirable, worthwhile, or morally right.
conspicuous consumption
the extravagant and visible consumption of goods and services as a means of displaying one’s social status, wealth, or success
culture industries
the industrial production and mass distribution of cultural products, including films, music, television, literature, and other forms of entertainment
subculture
differentiate themselves from the wider culture through symbolic and material means, often adapting and repurposing existing cultural goods for new purposes.
boundary work
the strategies and practices individuals or groups employ to establish, maintain, or challenge the boundaries between different social categories, disciplines, or identities
cultural capital
a concept introduced by Pierre Bourdieu, refers to the non-economic resources, such as education, knowledge, and cultural skills, that individuals acquire and can use to gain social advantage.
field
domain in which individuals or groups compete for resources, status, or recognition
habitus
deeply ingrained habits, skills, and dispositions that individuals acquire through socialization
status
an individual’s position within a social structure, often determined by factors such as wealth, education, occupation, or other markers of prestige. Can be either ascribed or achieved.
status group
a social grouping in which individuals share a similar prestige or social honor.
symbolic boundaries
conceptual distinctions made by individuals and groups to define and differentiate themselves from others.
cultural appropriation
the borrowing, adoption, or imitation of elements from one culture by members of another culture. It becomes controversial when it is perceived as taking or using elements without proper understanding, respect, or acknowledgment.
culture jamming
strategy to adress cultural imperialism and consumerism
globalization
the interconnectedness and interdependence of nations, economies, cultures, and societies facilitated by advancements in communication, transportation, and technology
mcdonalization
describe the process by which principles of the fast-food industry, such as efficiency, predictability, and standardization, are applied to various aspects of social and cultural life, leading to a more rationalized and homogenized society.
rationalization
the process by which social and economic activities become more organized, efficient, and calculated.
Elijah Anderson
research on urban sociology, race, and inequality. often focuses on the experiences of African Americans in urban settings, particularly in cities like Philadelphia.
Emilie Durkheim
various means by which an individual and society could be connected.
ann swidler
explored the role of culture in shaping social behavior, including her influential concept of “cultural toolkit.”
Dianne Vaughn
work in organizational theory and her influential book “The Challenger Launch Decision,” which analyzed the causes of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
thorstein Veblen
critique of capitalism and conspicuous consumption
pierre Bourdieu
theories on social structures, cultural capital, and symbolic power.
Michele Lamont
work in the sociology of culture, social inequality, and the study of elites. She has contributed to understanding the role of culture in social hierarchies.
max weber
regarded the development of rational social orders as humanity’s greatest achievement. saw bureaucratization as the driving force in modern society
