culture Flashcards
Culture
behaviours, beliefs, knowledge, practices, values, and
concrete materials
n ways of thinking, ways of acting, and material objects:
together form a society’s way of life
n the repository for a society/community: thoughts
about good and bad, purity and impurity, virtue and
vice
A filter through which we view and understand the world; People learn a
culture through socialization, then enact it in their everyday behavior; culture
isn’t nature
not static and fixed, always
changing
n constantly contested (by
some) and defended and
preserved by others
n there is not total
agreement as to what
constitutes a culture even
by those who belong to the
group
can take many forms and
scales
n global culture of a sport
fandom, national culture,
organizational culture of a
corporate (Apple or
Microsoft), or niche
culture of bikers in a
small town, cinephiles
ex. tradition of removing shoes before entering a home in many Asian countries, which reflects values of cleanliness and respect.
Counterculture
: One kind of subculture, a subculture that opposes key values of
the dominant or mainstream culture; tries to reject conventional norms and
values and adopts opposing ones
ex. hippie movement of the 1960s, which rejected mainstream societal norms by promoting peace, communal living, and opposition to war and consumerism.
Subculture
A community that shares cultural elements of the larger society but
also has its own unique values, beliefs, norms, and behavior patterns; likely to
develop whenever people are distinct, isolated, or disadvantaged: also whenever
a particular part of society faces unique problems or enjoys exclusive privileges.
ex. goth culture, which is characterized by dark fashion, gothic music, and an interest in themes of mystery and the macabre, setting it apart from mainstream society while still existing within it.
Popular Culture:
The dominant (popular) culture of larger society. Reflects the
everyday life, arts, and artifacts of “average people” within a society. Present
day consumer culture. Postmodern sociology highlights the diversity of
subcultures within popular culture
ex. social media trends, such as TikTok dances or viral challenges, which spread quickly and influence entertainment, fashion, and communication worldwide.
Cultural Capital
A body of knowledge and social skills that help
people get ahead socially. Cultural capital often includes learning
about and taking part in high culture.
ex. a person who grows up in a family that values literature, giving them an extensive vocabulary and knowledge of classic books, which helps them succeed in academic and professional settings.
Cultural Literacy
Unlike cultural capital, which is a luxury, cultural
literacy is a necessity. It is the solid knowledge of mainstream
culture, which contains building blocks of all communication and
learning. To be culturally literate is to have enough general
knowledge about the world to be able to communicate effectively
ex. knowing that the Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom and democracy in the United States, allowing a person to understand its significance in conversations, literature, or media.
Ethnocentrism
A tendency to use one’s own culture as a basis for
evaluation of other cultures, and subcultures. We can be so
emotionally involved with our own culture that we do not see that our
way of life is merely one way of life out of many.
ex. when a traveler from the U.S. visits another country and criticizes local eating habits, such as using chopsticks instead of forks, believing that their own culture’s way of eating is superior.
Discuss the style of writing. (What is the impact of
Ethnocentrism?) for YEKCOH
Ethnocentrism can lead to misunderstanding, stereotyping, or devaluing cultures that are perceived as “different.” In the article, the impact of ethnocentrism might be discussed in terms of how individuals or societies use their own cultural norms as a benchmark to judge others. This perspective can hinder cross-cultural understanding and contribute to societal divisions. The negative impact is often seen in:
Cultural misunderstanding: Ethnocentric viewpoints could result in misinterpretations of behaviors that are actually culturally specific.
Perpetuation of stereotypes: Generalizations about a culture’s practices can lead to negative stereotypes or discrimination.
changes to make for yekcoh
Balanced language: I would avoid presenting any culture as “better” or “worse” than another, focusing instead on understanding cultural practices from within their own context.
Evidence and examples: I’d include real-world examples of how ethnocentrism plays out in both negative and positive ways, highlighting efforts where societies have worked through these biases.
Incorporating global perspectives: The article would not only focus on Western or dominant viewpoints but also include voices from marginalized or non-Western cultures to highlight a range of cultural experiences and insights.
practicing cultural relativism? yekcoh
Contextualizing behaviors: I would highlight how practices that might seem strange or inappropriate from one cultural perspective can make perfect sense within the context of another culture’s values, beliefs, and history.
Challenging biases: I’d address the importance of understanding other cultures in their own terms rather than through the lens of one’s own cultural standards. For example, practices such as arranged marriages, polygamy, or specific dietary restrictions should be discussed with respect to the cultural norms and social structures in which they exist.
addressing bias? for yekcoh
Self-reflection: I would openly acknowledge my own cultural background and the potential for biases that might affect my interpretation of other cultures. Recognizing that no one is completely free of bias would be crucial in maintaining a more objective perspective.
Inclusive language: I would be cautious in avoiding judgmental or value-laden language and instead focus on describing cultural differences neutrally.
Collaboration with diverse sources: I would consult a broad range of sources, particularly from scholars or individuals within the cultures being discussed, to ensure that their voices and interpretations are reflected accurately.
objectivity
a supposed quality of knowledge or
(scientific) research that is not influenced by
emotions, personality, or particular life experiences
of the researcher
n free of the influence of values and biases
n Max Weber: value-free or bias free research
socially constructed, serves certain
interests, and can mask the realities of oppression
SUBJECTIVITY
theories, beliefs, and opinions
influenced by emotions, personality, and particular life
experiences of the researcher
influenced by values and biases
discreditation
mere subjective than objective fact
STANDPOINT THEORY
social characteristics
such as gender, race,
ethnicity, indigeneity,
age, and sexual
orientation
conditioning
both
the questions a
sociologist asks and the
answers they will
receive
culture vs society
culture is the way a
society forms goals,
sets standards, and
gives itself meaning
material culture:
the concrete objects or
belongings, the artifacts,
technologies, and products
of a group of people
non-material culture:
the ideas, attitudes, and
beliefs of a society; or
ideals
rape culture
a sociological concept for a setting
in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to
societal attitudes about gender and sexuality
conspicuous consumption:
spending patterns of the rich and
nouveau riches in the late nineteenth
century
n relationship between consumption,
class, and status
n distinguishes and reaffirms the
upper and lower social classes in a
stratified society
n competitive consumption, public
image of consumption
(exaggeration, ‘show-off’)
ideology
a set of ideas and beliefs that provides the
basis for political and economic actions
dominant ideology
a set of thoughts and beliefs
that justify and perpetuate the the ruling class (or
status quo)
white privilege
the unearned benefits and
immunities that Caucasian people enjoy,
compared with people whom society considers
“non-white”
