Culture

Question 1

the culture of the elite, a distinct minority. It is associated with the arts.

Answer 1

High Culture

Question 2

defined as the culture capable of imposing its beliefs and behaviours (its values, language, and ways of behaving and interpreting behaviour) on individuals on a given society because of its economic and political power.

Answer 2

Dominant Culture

Question 3

cultures are those that fall outside the cultural mainstream; with two subcategories: countercultures and subcultures

Answer 3

Minority cultures

Question 4

are minority cultures that feel the power of the dominant culture and exist in opposition to it. (e.g., clothing styles or sexual norms).

Answer 4

Countercultures

Question 5

differ from the dominant culture but don’t necessarily oppose it (e.g., groups organized around occupations or hobbies).

Answer 5

Subcultures

Question 6

The culture of the majority, especially those who do not have power (e.g. the working class, the less educated, women, and racialized minorities)

• Cultural studies cast light on the significance of, and meanings expressed in, popular culture

Answer 6

Popular culture

Question 7

refers to people who have little or no agency in the culture they consume (e.g., big companies dictate what people watch, buy, value or believe).
* Created by those in power for the masses

Answer 7

Mass culture

Question 8

stereotypical cultural images produced and reproduced like material goods or commodities by the media and sometimes by scholars.

Answer 8

Simulacra

Question 9

The study of language as part of culture. Sociolinguistics looks at language in relation to such sociological factors as “race,” ethnicity, age, gender, and region.

Answer 9

Sociolinguistics

Question 10

Functionalists argue that a cultural practice will continue contribute to social stability Culture helps us meet
o Biological needs (i.e. food production, procreation) oInstrumental needs (i.e. laws, education)
o Integrative needs (i.e. religion, art)
o Culture allows people to communicate, to understand one another and to work towards common goals

Answer 10

Theoretical Perspectives on Culture: Functionalism

Question 11

Culture serves to maintain the privilege of certain groups Culture reflects the dominant ideology of society Oppressed groups adopt the dominant ideology into their values Countercultures develop to question the dominant social order

Answer 11

Theoretical Perspectives on Culture: Conflict Theory

Question 12

Study how culture is maintained through face-to-face interactions Culture is perpetuated through daily interactions These interactions define (or redefine) the norms and values of a cultural group

Answer 12

Theoretical Perspectives on Culture: Symbolic Interactionism

Question 13

Aspects of culture perpetuate social inequality Norms of behaviour may reinforce gender roles Cultures reflect societal views of men and women

Answer 13

Theoretical Perspectives on Culture: Feminism

Question 14

o Use of male words to refer to any person, e.g. ‘Rights of Man.’
o Implicitly excludes women from the way we think about certain social roles.

Answer 14

Androcentric Language

Question 15

followers obey because of long-established cultural prestige of role, e.g. in a monarchy.

Answer 15

Traditional Authority

Question 16

followers obey due to personal magnetism of inspirational leader, and their ability to motivate their followers to carry out their wishes.

Answer 16

Charismatic Authority

Question 18

System of values, beliefs, and practices that justify and support existing social system, and defend the authority of those with power within it.

Answer 18

Dominant Ideology

Question 19

more serious than folkways. They are oftenformalized norms, and we must not violate them. Violations are met with serious sanctions. Mores are complicated and may be contested. (e.g., stealing, rape)

Answer 19

Mores

Question 20

Folkways, or etiquette, are norms that govern day-today matters. Those are norms we should not violate, and they are weakly sanctioned. (e.g., waiting in line politely)

Answer 20

Folkways

Question 21

norms that are so deeply ingrained in our social consciousness that the mere thought or mention of it is enough to arouse disgust or revulsion (e.g., incest, child pornography)

Answer 21

Taboos

Question 22

items that hold significance for a culture or subculture. Symbols can be tangible (material objects) or intangible (non-material objects).

Answer 22

Symbols

Question 23

standards used by a culture to describe abstract qualities such as goodness, beauty, and justice and to assess the behaviour of others.

Answer 23

Values

Question 24

The values and ideals a group of people claims to adhere to; what people believe in. (e.g., environmentalism)

Answer 24

Ideal Culture

Question 25

values that really exists in society; actual culture vs ideal culture. (e.g., driving large SUVs)

Answer 25

Actual culture

Question 26

an approach to studying and understanding an aspect of another culture within its proper social, historical, and environmental context. We cannot use our own cultural standards to assess and judge the cultural practices of others.

Answer 26

Cultural Relativism