Culture Flashcards
the culture of the elite, a distinct minority. It is associated with the arts.
High Culture
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.
Dominant Culture
cultures are those that fall outside the cultural mainstream; with two subcategories: countercultures and subcultures
Minority cultures
are minority cultures that feel the power of the dominant culture and exist in opposition to it. (e.g., clothing styles or sexual norms).
Countercultures
differ from the dominant culture but don’t necessarily oppose it (e.g., groups organized around occupations or hobbies).
Subcultures
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
Popular culture
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
Mass culture
stereotypical cultural images produced and reproduced like material goods or commodities by the media and sometimes by scholars.
Simulacra
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.
Sociolinguistics
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
Theoretical Perspectives on Culture: Functionalism
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
Theoretical Perspectives on Culture: Conflict Theory
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
Theoretical Perspectives on Culture: Symbolic Interactionism
Aspects of culture perpetuate social inequality Norms of behaviour may reinforce gender roles Cultures reflect societal views of men and women
Theoretical Perspectives on Culture: Feminism
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.
Androcentric Language
followers obey because of long-established cultural prestige of role, e.g. in a monarchy.
Traditional Authority
followers obey due to personal magnetism of inspirational leader, and their ability to motivate their followers to carry out their wishes.
Charismatic Authority
System of values, beliefs, and practices that justify and support existing social system, and defend the authority of those with power within it.
Dominant Ideology
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)
Mores
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)
Folkways
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)
Taboos
items that hold significance for a culture or subculture. Symbols can be tangible (material objects) or intangible (non-material objects).
Symbols
standards used by a culture to describe abstract qualities such as goodness, beauty, and justice and to assess the behaviour of others.
Values
The values and ideals a group of people claims to adhere to; what people believe in. (e.g., environmentalism)
Ideal Culture
