culture and identity Flashcards
1
Q
what is culture?
A
the way of life of a group of people
2
Q
what is norms?
A
normal expected behaviour in particular social situations
3
Q
what is values?
A
general beliefs about what is right and desirable
4
Q
what is globalisation?
A
process in which societies across the world have become more connected and inter-dependent, with the spread of the same culture, consumer goods + interests across the globe
5
Q
what is hybridisation?
A
mix of global and local culture
6
Q
culture - what is an artistic merit?
A
very cultured, knowledge of high culture
7
Q
How are society and culture related?
A
society - basis of culture (larger)
culture - smaller group of people
8
Q
what is the dominant culture and how is it viewed by Marxists + Feminists?
A
main culture in society, which is shared by the majority of the population.
Marxists - determined by most powerful in society (ruling class) + capitalism
Feminists - developed by men + creates patriarchy.
9
Q
what is high culture?
A
seen as being superior to other forms of culture. Refers to aspects of culture that have lasting artistic and literary value, aimed at small, intellectual elites (upper class). E.g., ballet, opera, classical music
10
Q
what is folk culture?
A
created by local communities + is rooted in experiences, beliefs, + customs of everyday life of ordinary people. Authentic rather than manufactured. Associated with pre-industrial and early industrial societies, still remains in British society, e.g., cheese rolling, morris dancing/folk dancing, storytelling
11
Q
what is global culture?
A
cultures in different countries have become more alike, sharing similar products and ways of life (e.g., Coke). Happened as globalisation undermined national + local culture
12
Q
what did postmodernists do?
A
looked at significance of globalisation in postmodern world. Studied process of homogenization - American capitalism has successfully destroyed cultures of local populations
13
Q
What did Storey (2003) say?
A
globalisation hasn’t destroyed local cultures, culture isn’t same as the products people buy. Local culture have incorporated + adapted to American culture to produce a new and distinctive one
14
Q
what is a subculture?
A
a smaller group of people who share the same norms and values. Happens when societies become larger + more complicated. E.g., youth subculture, hippies, mods n rockers
15
Q
what is mass culture and how is it viewed by Marxists?
A
seen as less worthy than folk culture. Product of modern industrial society. Product of mass media/companies for profit. Similar products to popular culture e.g. soap operas, pop music, popular feature films
Marxists - makes audience passive, controls lower class, unable to think for selves
16
Q
what is popular culture and what do postmodernists say?
A
similar to mass culture, includes cultural products appreciated by large number of people. E.g. popular fictions, detective stories.
Postmodernists - just as valued as high culture
16
Q
what is popular culture and what do postmodernists say?
A
similar to mass culture, includes cultural products appreciated by large number of people. E.g. popular fictions, detective stories.
Postmodernists - just as valued as high culture
17
Q
what is the postmodernist view on the distinction between high and mass culture?
A
growth of mass communication technology (internet, downloads, satellite TV, globalisation) means that cultural products from mass + high culture is now available to a mass audience - anyone from any class can access both
18
Q
what did Strinati (1995) say about high + mass culture?
A
elements of high culture have now become a part of popular and vice versa. Division between them has completely blurred
19
Q
what did Strinati (1995) say about high + mass culture?
A
elements of high culture have now become a part of popular and vice versa. Division between them has completely blurred
High culture art forms are now being turned into products for sale in mass market - art is no longer special
20
Q
Functionalism - structural, macro + consensus theory
A
Key ideas = value consensus, social harmony/order, social solidarity, social integration, organic analogy, good for individual + society
Key thinkers = Durkheim (social solidarity), Parsons (family/education), Davis + Moore (education)
21
Q
what do Functionalists believe about the role of culture?
A
created by social structures of society (family, education) to maintain consensus + a common culture. Holds society together, good for individual, belong to something bigger than themselves
22
Q
what are Functionalists’ views on identity?
A
develop an identity through socialisation. Norms and values give us a sense of identity. Internalise norms and values e.g., through family. Meritocracy - school
23
Q
what do Functionalists believe about role of socialisation?
A
positive - integrates its members into society. Develop sense of social solidarity. Agents of secondary socialisation = education, media, religion
24
what are Functionalists' view on youth culture?
Have a purpose. Parsons - way of making transition from child to adult, helps this transition. Youths experience status frustration (e.g., if they're working class. Youth cultures allow teens to express separate identity
25
Marxism - structural, macro and conflict theory
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key ideas = bourgeoisie (ruling class), proletariat (working class), ruling class ideology, capitalism, false class consciousness, ISA (ideological state apparatus) - media, RSA (repressive state apparatus) - police/army, cultural capital, correspondence principle
key thinkers = Althusser (ISA + RSA), Marx, Zaretsky, Bourdieu, Bowles + Gintis
```
26
what do Marxists believe about the role of culture?
good for bourgeoisie, dominant culture = high culture. Functionalists are overly positive, culture controls us. Reinforces social division. Legitimises class inequality, disguises exploitation
27
what do Marxists believe about identity?
based upon class, shaped by capitalism. Bourdieu - habitus. Socialised into class culture by family. Working class = mass culture, not aware of true identity.
28
what do Marxists believe about the role of socialisation?
Family, education, media + religion - reinforcing and reproducing class inequality. Control - myth of meritocracy
29
What do Marxists believe about youth culture?
working class youth subcultures = punks. Ways of opposing/resisting inequalities in society, e.g., Willis and the lads
30
Feminism - structural, macro + conflict theory
Key ideas = patriarchal society, subordination of women, beauty myth, sexuality, gender identities, male gaze
key thinkers = Anne Oakley, Sue Sharpe, McRobbie, Naomi Wolfe, Valerie Hey
31
what do Feminists believe about the role of culture?
plays an important role in the subordination (oppression), of women to the interest of men. E.g., media instil ideas of marriage and beauty as feminine ideals
32
what do Feminists believe about identity?
gender identity is constructed through patriarchy. Women are persuaded to see a patriarchal concept of women's identity as being their own
33
what do Feminists believe about the role of socialisation?
Sharpe - child socialisation serves to generate female + male cultural identities. Secondary + primary socialisation - reinforce gender identities + patriarchal society
34
What do Feminists believe about youth culture?
women aren't seen as legitimate members of youth culture, merely the girlfriends if skinheads, punks, rockers etc.
35
Social action theories (Interactionism) - social action, micro theory
key ideas = labelling, master status, looking-glass self, front stage/back stage, dramaturgical approach, I + Me, impression management, stigmatised identity, self-fulfilling prophecy
Key thinkers = Goffman, Cooley, Mead, Becker, Cohen
36
what do Interactionists believe about the role of culture?
maintained through interaction based on communication of signs + symbols. Not mindless products of culture - reflect culture that we're born into. We can either accept or reject it
37
what do Interactionists believe about identity?
Social construct. We play a part in the creation of identity. Construct identity through interactions with others and have some control over it
38
what do Interactionists believe about the role of socialisation?
allows individuals to interpret symbols around them. Develop a sense of self through reflecting on our actions, mirroring e.g., looking glass self
39
what do Interactionists believe about youth culture?
people with similar values are group together. Other young people may see these groups and want to join as they identify with the label. Mods + Rockers - no label until media gave it to them
40
Postmodernism - sort of social action but doesn't fit into brackets
Key ideas = globalisation, choice + diversity, consumption, social divisions blurring, hybrid identity, pick n mix, leisure, tourist gaze, death of metanarratives
Key thinkers = McDonald, Wilkinson, Muggleton, Lyotard, Strinati, Bradley, Baudrillard
41
what do Postmodernists believe about the role of culture?
not one culture but a diversity of culture to choice from - pick n mix. More choice, doesn't need to be a form of identity
42
what do postmodernists believe about identity?
multiple/hybrid identities, less fixed/structure. More fluid + open to change. New forms of identity e.g. leisure. Can reject and choose identities as we are consumers
43
What do postmodernists believe about the role of socialisation?
secondary agents = globalisation + media show people that they can have any identity they want. Everything is becoming blurred, be whatever you want
44
what do postmodernists believe about youth culture?
can be mixed (fragmented). Range of youth cultures instead of 1, positive attitudes towards media, weak boundary maintenance, low degree of commitment
45
what is the definition of social class?
refers to a group of people who share a similar economic situation (working/ruling class?
46
what do functionalists say about social class?
class divisions are natural for the smooth running of society
47
what do Marxists say about social class?
tool of ideological domination. Working class deprived of certain culture - cultural reproduction
48
what are the key concepts linked to social class?
upper class, middle class, ruling class (bourgeoisie), working class (proletariat), under class - new height (Murray and Mount - new form of working class identity, long term unemployed, single parents, drug addicts)
49
who are the key thinkers linked to social class?
Weber, Marx, Charlesworth, Bourdieu - Habitus is cultural framework possessed by social class into which they're socialised
50
what are the key studies linked to social class?
Jordan (1992) = those in poverty share same ideas about work, reject underclass, unemployment - negative self image
James (2010) = demonization of working class. Spoiled/stigmatised identities - chav, reinforces social division.
51
what evaluation can be used for social class?
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Postmodernists - identity is more fluid, free to become who you wish - Lash + Urry (1987) identities less class based. Replaced by consumer culture
New Right, Saunders = social class is irrelevant to people's lives
Marshall (survey) = majority of people believe social class is still significant
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52
what is the definition of sex and gender?
```
sex = biologically determined
gender = socially constructed
```
53
what is a gender role?
patterns of behaviour expected from individuals of either sex
54
what is a gender identity?
how people see themselves and how others view them based on sex and gender roles
55
what do the different types of feminists and postmodernists?
Feminists - genderquake. Ambitions moved away from family commitments to careers.
Liberal feminists = been progress but more still needs to be done
Marxist feminists = capitalism is cause of inequality, women are disposable labour
difference feminists = equality needed for ethnic minority. Feminism came through with 3rd wave Feminism.
postmodernists = women allowed to wear what they want without being sexualised
56
what are the key concepts linked to gender?
beauty myth (females should be judged on appearance), hegemonic masculinity + hegemonic femininity (dominant stereotypes), role of family - manipulation (girls + boys handled differently, canalisation (genders exposed to different toys), verbal appellations (exposed to different languages), different activity exposure (encouraged into different activities)
57
who are they key thinkers/studies linked to gender?
Mead, Oakley (canalisation, manipulation etc), Naomi Wolf (beauty myth), Mac and Ghaill
58
what are some examples of gender spoiled/stigmatised identities?
Emergence of laddetts - females taking on aspects of lad's masculinity, violent behaviour, partying-binge drinking, promiscuous behaviour
Metrosexual - heterosexual males who embrace feminine side, in touch with feelings, use cosmetic products, incorporate aspects of gay lifestyle
59
what evaluation can be used for gender?
Postmodernists - gender identity is changing and becoming more fluid, both genders have more choice in what genders are available to them. Pick without constraints of gender
Children of 10 grow up holding stereotyped ideas surrounding gender. Women still earn less and more likely to do housework
Many people still conform to hegemonic gender identities
60
how is age defined?
socially constructed - changes depending on time/place
61
what do interactionists, postmodernists and Marxists say about age?
```
Interactionists = meaning of old age is linked to childhood (Hockey + James)
Postmodernists = view on age changed due to media, changing stereotypes (Andrew Blaike)
Marxists = age groups determined by capitalism. Phillipson (1987) - capitalism views elderly as a burden on society, working life has ended
```
62
what are the key concepts linked to age?
ageism, youth culture, third age, active ageing, generation
63
what are the key studies/thinkers linked to age?
Phillipe Aries, Harriet, Laslett
64
what studies are linked to age?
```
Simon Biggs (1993) = studied the way older people are presented in TV. Found they were often stereotyped, especially in sitcom
Lambert (1984) = older men were often portrayed in positions of power - not case for older women
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65
what stigmatised/spoiled identities are linked to age?
old age is stigmatised. Media stereotypes young people - children are innocent + teenagers are wild. British society - children + adults treated differently. Have to go to school and are seen as needing constant attention.
66
what evaluation points can be used for age?
Bradley (1997) = age is less important to identity than other factors e.g. class, ethnicity, gender. Age identity is temporary
Law affects how ages are treated e.g. getting driver's licence at 17 and having to renew it more after 70
Problematic when trying to use as source of identity as seen as a biological factor of development
67
what is sexuality defined as?
product of culture rather than biology - socially constructed
68
what do feminists and functionalists believe about sexuality?
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Feminists = women have been forced into heterosexuality
Functionalists = homosexuality cannot be promoted as a substitute for heterosexuality
```
69
what are the key concepts linked to sexuality?
male gaze, stigmatised, homosexuality, gay/lesbian identities, LGBTQ+
70
what are the key studies linked to sexuality?
```
Michael Foucault (1976) = all sexualities go through a process of normalisation. Homosexuality accepted in Ancient Greece
Weeks (2003) = sexuality is a social construct
McRobbie (1994) = "beauty stakes have gone up for men and women have taken up the role of active viewers". Leads to crisis in masculinity
```
71
what identities are spoiled/stigmatised in relation to sexuality?
homosexuality - viewed as deviant activities
| Goffman = some sexualities are stigmatised, leading to impression management from individual
72
what evaluation can be used for sexuality?
women are still more likely to be seen as sex objects especially in media - Mulvey - Male Gaze
stigmatisation of homosexual identities is reducing - 2013/2014 marriage legal
variety of gay identities to choose from beyond "effeminate gay" or "butch stereotypes"
discrimination + prejudice still exist. Stonewall report (2013) 1/2 of LGBTQ+ young people experience homophobic bullying at school
73
what is the difference between ethnicity and race?
cultural differences between social groups. Race = more about appearance
74
what do Marxists, Postmodernists and Feminists say about ethnicity?
```
Marxists = different ethnicities have different cultural capital, and have different social classes
Postmodernists = impact of globalisation, lose separate identities and ethnic hybrid identities emerge
Feminists = women of ethnic minorities experience inequalities
```
75
what are the key concepts linked to ethnicity?
Asian ethnicities, white mask, hybrid identities, diaspora (dispersal from original homeland, spreading across the world), globalisation
76
who are the key thinkers linked to ethnicity?
Goffman, Hall, Madood, Mizra
77
what are the key studies linked to ethnicity?
Yinger (1976) = 3 characteristics. Perception group is different, those in group are different + share cultural characteristics e.g. language + geographical origin
Johal = British Asians have dual identity - inherit Asian identity + adopt British one = Braisians. White mask
Gilroy (2002) = black culture has become a commodity to be bought + sold
Ghumman (1999) = importance on family in Asian households
Hennick (1999) = 75% Sikh 85% Muslim girls expected arranged marriage
Sewell (1996) = peer group pressure influential in shaping identity. Focused on being hyper-male. Compensates for lack of father figure.
78
what ethnic identities are stigmatised/spoiled?
Muslim + Asian identities, ethnic minorities
79
what evaluation points can be used for ethnicity?
Basit (1997) = ethnic identities are changeable. Brasian schoolgirls - example of hybridity. Uncomfortable due to British culture.
Ethnicity isn't a major source of identity if you're part of the majority
If your ethnicity is a minority, it will be a larger part of your identity as it may have a stigma, influencing your life
80
what does diaspora mean?
dispersal of an ethnic population from its original homeland, and its spreading out across the world whilst retaining cultural + emotional ties to its area + nature of origin.
Suggests dispersed ethnic population adapts 2 or more ethnic identities - retains original culture + adopts elements of culture in host society
81
how is globalisation linked to ethnicity?
cultures may be beginning to lose separate identities due to impact of global mass media + popular culture.
Different cultures interact + new hybrid identities emerge, formed from mix of identities
82
what are some other studies on ethnicity?
Modood (1997) = skin colour is an important source of identity to many in African-Caribbean community
Modood et al (1994) = identity of Asian groups is defined in terms of different cultures, languages + religions
Anwar (1981) = family can be a site of conflict between grandparents, parents + children. Younger generation is seen by older generation to have mixed w/ people who have different values + attitudes - young people believe in values + ideas which parents see as alien
Hall (1992) = ethnic minorities getting harder to identify - globalisation + diaspora merges cultures + creates new ethnicities
Bradford (2006) = ethnic identity becoming more confused by new British-born ethnic minorities. More children move to parents of inter-ethnic partnerships, involving fusion of 2 ethnic groups - difficult to identify selves as 1 specific, or whether see selves as new hybrid identity
Gilroy (1987) = black + white culture become mixed to create new hybrid identities. Later looked at how black Americans adopt gangsta fashions + develop hegemonic masculinities as response to racism. Made selves tools of exploitation by white-run global economies.
83
what is the definition for nationality?
Having citizenship of a nation sate e.g. ability to carry a passport
84
what do Functionalists and Marxists say about nationality?
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Functionalists, Durkheim = uniting society under common values + shared culture, feel part of something bigger than themselves
Marxists = used to create false class consciousness + keep working class distracted. Rise in hybrid identities + immigration - some deem it as a threat to Britishness. Result in racist nationalist groups
```
85
what are the key concepts linked to nationality?
nationalism, national identity, nation
86
who are the key thinkers linked to nationality?
Durkheim, Marx, Kumar, Hewitt
87
what are the key studies linked to nationality?
Guibernau + Goldblatt (2000) = British identity only emerged with the 1707 act of Unism between Wales, Scotland + England
Modood (1997) multiculturalism = carried out a survey on ethnic minority groups. Most associated with being culturally + socially british, Found Asians and African-Americans weren't comfortable w/ being British
Schusden (1994) aspects of socialisation for nationality = British identity - language (English), mass media (BBC), symbols (Union Jack) National rituals (Queen's speech)
Curtice + Heath (2000) ethnic identity = groups who felt British + now feel English has decreased 17% in 1999
Walters (1995) = British identity may be under threat in 21st century. Scotland/wales more sense of national identity (Celtic identity) so British is fragmented. Globalisation - American culture taking over highstreet
88
what nationalities are stigmatised/spoiled?
American nation - seen as patriarchal
89
what evaluation can be used for nationality?
people can't be socialised into nation identities - its part of them
Hay = National cultures are in decline due to globalisation leading to hybrid identities - Postmodernism
90
what is the definition for disability?
abnormal functioning of body (impairment). Becomes a disability when prevents people from doing daily activities
91
what do Marxists say about disability?
cultural attitudes towards disabled may be a product of capitalist's emphasis on work as a source of identity
92
what are key concepts linked to disability?
social model of disability, master status, medical model of disability
93
who are the key thinkers linked to disability?
Shakespeare (1994) = disability is a label used to categorise people. Being in category is worse than disability itself. Argues it's better to talk about impairments.
Oliver, Anderson, Kitchin
94
what are the key studies linked to disability?
Scott (1969) = studied how blind people were treated by medical professionals. Sometimes learned helplessness - relied on sighted people as this was expected. Labelled as dependent, causing self-fulfilling prophecy
Cumberbaton + Negrine (1997) = looked at UK TV for 6 weeks. Disabled roles were based on pity/comedy, rarely just disabled character. Still some positive portrayals
95
what are the spoiled/stigmatised identities within disability?
negative stereotypes of disabled in media. How people interpret messages around disability depends on personal experience. Those with real life experience reject unrealistic stereotypes. Suggests media only forms negative perceptions among those who haven't formed own ideas.
96
what evaluation can be used for disability?
disabled identity made up of coping with physical impairment of body and social limitations of social environment.
Marsh + Keating (2006) = everyone's dependent to some extent. Little representation of disability in media, roles for disabled people are limited
97
what is leisure described as?
product of modernity. Clear division between work and leisure was established
98
what do Postmodernists, Marxists and Feminists say about leisure?
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Postmodernists = what we choose to do in leisure time and products we consume are significant in forming identities today. Unlimited free choice of leisure activities + lifestyle - Rojek + Roberts
Lyotard = Metanarratives no longer explain identities people adopt
identify is far more fluid in postmodern world + open to change
Marxists = some unable to afford to build up identity through leisure and consumption. Only available to upper class
Feminists = women generally have less time and opportunities for leisure activities than men
```
99
what key concepts are linked to leisure?
```
Active ageing (Karhankova) - old age has become about activity, stay in work, travel, continue w/ education
Third Age (Aslett) - younger age of retirement, higher life expectancy
tourist gaze, pick n mix, shopping for identities
```
100
which key thinkers are linked to leisure?
Urry, Baudrillard, Katz + Sugiyama
101
what key studies are linked to leisure?
Deem = women's leisure activities often combined with aspects of childcare e.g., going swimming w/ children. Patriarchy may restrict women due to harassment
102
what are spoiled/stigmatised identities linked to leisure?
working class cannot undertake certain expensive leisure activities - may be outcast
103
what evaluation points can be used for leisure?
social factors e.g., social class, age, and gender can constrict leisure activities
104
summary of globalisation + identity:
growing interdependence of societies across the world, spread of same culture, consumer products + economic interests
makes world smaller - time, space + cultures once distant, now coming into contact
105
what is globalisation caused by?
technology, faster transport, trade, growth of international corporations, mobile phones, planes
106
what is globalisation of culture?
either trend towards common codes/practices (homogeneity) or cultures interact to create variety of hybrid identities (heterogeneity) - spreads of values, norms + culture promotes western ideas of capitalism - cultural imperialism
107
what is the connection between global and local culture?
becoming permanently interconnected. Natural disaster in one country can affect prices all
over world - glocalization/glocalism
108
what effect does globalisation have on identity?
Ray (2007) = globalisation creates more fluid + complex society - question personal identities (social class, gender, ethnicity) creates multiple/hybrid identities
109
explain George Ritzer and the Mcdonaldization of society?
rationality - replace traditional rules with logical + consistent ones
efficiency - puts more reliability on customers to get own drink etc
predictability = McDonalds to be familiar to other ones
Calculability = McDonalds, get a lot of food for small prices
Control = technology - deskilling humans
110
what are the effects of globalisation?
global travel + tourism opens up new experiences, globalized media gives insights into wide range of cultures, internet allows instant access/communication to other cultures, global culture dilutes/weakens national cultures/identities, global migration/diasporas expose people to wide range of cultural/ethnic groups, work becomes more insecure as source of identity - manufacture jobs go to other countries, hybrid/pick n mix identities - cultures intertwine, growing risk/uncertainty - identity becomes unstable/fluid, declining influence of youth cultures, globalized popular culture - massive choice of lifestyles/images to construct identities
111
what does resistance to globalisation involve?
reassertion of local identities - work on conserving/protecting small-scale culture from extinction - folklore
112
what is the rise of nationalism and fundamentalism against?
reaction against consumer driven, wasteful culture of West
113
what is the new global identity?
green identity = lifestyle orientated to addressing global patterns e.g., global warming
