Culture Flashcards
Definition of culture
Way of life a society or a social group that contains specific norms or values , customs, language , history and knowledge
Definition of norms
Unwritten societal rules that are widley accepted by the majority
Definition of values
Beliefs or goals that members of a society or culture may have that is important to them
Definition of subcultures
A “culture within a culture”, a minority social group that contains its own values, norms and beliefs that are unique and differs from mainstream society
High culture
Particular practices or products that are seen as intellectually superior or aesthetically superior , that are commonly associated with the upperclass
E.g opera, classical music, art
Popular culture
Cultural products or practices that are enjoyed by the mass majority or ordinary people, its seen as superfical , and inferior to high culture
For example pop music, pubs
Global culture
Culture that isnt unique to one culture and is widespread and shared across the world
E.g global trends, companies , products
Globalisation
The process in which cultures and societies become connected
Cultural imperialism
Idea that all cultures will start to become replaced by global culture , has also been challenged by marxists such as Seabrook that it is cultural imperialism
- when more powerful societies start to use their dominance to spread their own culture globally
Consumer culture
Members of society start to pursue shopping as a means to express their own identity
It becomes a leisure activity
Young (2007) explains how consumers are in a “bullimic” society and how theres a general pressure to consume, a mentality of “get rich or die trying”
Cultural diversity
Refers to variety and difference of cultures
Intercultural diversity- variety and difference BETWEEN cultures
E.g countries
Intracultural diversity- variety and difference within cultures
E.g cities
Cultural hybridity
Cross or merge between one or more cultures
Globalisation can add onto to this , as cultures may take some parts of global culture and add it to their own.
Cultural hybridity can be seen in music, food, fashion, for example in the UK the national dish is chicken tikka masala despite being a South Asian dish which has been slightly adapted to British’ tastes
