culture

Question 1

what is culture?

Answer 1

refers to the language, beliefs, values and norms, customs, dress, diet, roles, knowledge and skills that make up the “way of life” of any group in society

Question 2

how does someone acquire culture?

Answer 2

can be through their geographical location (eg. countries national dish / clothing trends) or being influenced by senior figures in their life (eg. parents, grandparents)

Question 3

how might a person express their culture?

Answer 3

through speaking the language, wearing certain attire, eating food, listening to music. also known broadly as customs

Question 4

what are norms?

Answer 4

can be defined as what is considered to be appropriate and acceptable behaviour in specific situations. they are enforced by positive, negative, formal and informal sanctions. these sanctions are a major part of the mechanism of social control which are concerned with maintaining order in society.

Question 5

what are values?

Answer 5

a belief about something that is good and desirable. it defines what is important, worthwhile and worth striving for. values vary from society to society.

Question 6

why is it important to have shared norms / values?

Answer 6

members of society would be unable to cooperate or comprehend the behaviour of others which results in disorder and disruption.

Question 7

does everyone in your own society agree on shared norms and values?

Answer 7

no, because not everyone behaves the same. this can be seen through subcultural groups and even criminals.

Question 8

what are the possible consequences of there not being agreement over norms and values?

Answer 8

• culture clashes
• judgement from society
• war

Question 9

what shapes a persons beliefs and values?

Answer 9

• age
• gender
• class
• culture
• parents
• influential figures

Question 10

what is universal?

Answer 10

when the behaviour or action of a culture is the same across different cultures

Question 11

what is relative?

Answer 11

when the behaviour or action of a culture is specific to that culture but can change over time - not fixed or permanent

Question 12

what problems may a sociologist face in understanding another culture?

Answer 12

• language barriers
• several cultures in one area, difficult
• ethnocentric bias, due to own values and opinion

Question 13

“culture can vary within and between societies”. explain what this quote means.

Answer 13

even though there is an overarching culture, people still have differing beliefs.

Question 14

what are the norms associated with dating in the 1950s?

Answer 14

heterosexual relationships were the norm. dating is for marriage.

Question 15

what are the norms associated with dating now?

Answer 15

multiple dates at once. dating is about experiences.

Question 16

state 5 different types of cultures.

Answer 16

• subculture
• high culture
• popular / mass culture
• global culture
• consumer culture

Question 17

define subculture.

Answer 17

a smaller group within a larger group that has its own values, which are different to the wider group.

Question 18

define high culture.

Answer 18

term that relates to the kinds of culture enjoyed by those with higher status in society. examples of activities include opera, classical music and art.

Question 19

define popular (mass) culture.

Answer 19

every aspect of culture which is not high culture. originated in the growth of the mass media.

Question 20

define global culture.

Answer 20

a collection of specific norms and values due to the spread of western ideas through the mass media.

Question 21

define consumer culture.

Answer 21

a set of ideas that encourages people to continuously buy products. people often buy to represent their culture.

Question 22

what is the process of spreading western influence called?

Answer 22

mcdonaldisation (george ritzer 1993)

Question 23

what is cultural hybridity?

Answer 23

different cultures co-existing at the same time, leading to different cultures emerging

Question 24

what is an example of cultural hybridity?

Answer 24

creolisation (amalgamation of european, african and indigenous cultures)
hannerz 1992^ term used to describe forms of culture that have no historical roots, but is the result of global connections

Question 25

define cultural diversity.

Answer 25

the differences in lifestyles between families of different ethnicities, religious beliefs etc.

Question 26

state the two types of cultural diversity.

Answer 26

intercultural diversity
intracultural diversity

Question 27

what is intercultural diversity? give an example.

Answer 27

differences between cultures. dress sense between british culture and the Na of china

Question 28

what is intracultural diversity? give an example.

Answer 28

differences within cultures. regional differences between welsh and scottish norms and values

Question 29

what is cultural relativity?

Answer 29

the idea that cultural values, norms and behaviour may vary according to different societies. as a result people must be aware that they see other cultures from the perspective of their own. this is a challenge for sociologists wishing to understand other cultures.

Question 30

what is cross cultural?

Answer 30

exploring examples of culture from various societies

Question 31

who came up with the link of cultural capital and success in education?

Answer 31

pierre bourdieu