Lecture 2 - Culture

Question 1

Define culture.

Answer 1

System of shared meaning that people create to deal with real-life problems, that are transferred from generation to generation
(Ex. Rituals, religion, tools, etc.)

Question 2

Define society.

Answer 2

People interacting socially + sharing culture (usually in a defined geographic area)

Question 3

Define symbols.

Answer 3

General ideas that carry particular meanings

Question 4

What are the 3 component of the “cultural survival kit” that make culture possible? (ACP)

Answer 4

Abstraction - the capacity to create symbols (Ex. Language, math)
Cooperation - the capacity to create a complex social life by establishing norms + values
Production - the capacity to make and use tools + techniques to get the most out of nature

Question 5

Define sanctions (system of social control).

Answer 5

Consequences of cultural guidelines (Rewards for following them, punishment for going against them)

Question 6

Explain how the Sapir-Whorf thesis ties into the idea of abstraction and culture.

Answer 6

Experience affects conceptualization (thought), conceptualization affects verbalization (language), language shapes experiences
Ex. Bedouin Arabs have dozens of words to differentiate camels by age, breeds size, which is normal to them since their livelihood depends on it. Meanwhile, we have only 3 distinctions for sheep in English (sheep, ram, ewe)

Question 7

What are the 3 arguments used by evolutionary psychologists to explain human behaviour?

Answer 7

1. Universal claim
2. Survival-value argument
3. Conclusion

Question 8

Define ethnocentrism.

Answer 8

Judging another’s culture by the standards of your own

Ex. Cow worship in India being judged

Question 9

Define division of labour.

Answer 9

Degree of specialization in work (specializing in what you do best) to boost productivity

Question 10

Define emotional management.

Answer 10

People obeying “feeling rules”/conventional expectations (Disobedience = sanctions)

Question 11

Define emotional labour.

Answer 11

Work that people do as part of their job (expectations of certain behaviour w/ certain jobs)

Question 12

What are the 3 features of postmodern culture?

Answer 12

1. Blending of cultural elements
2. Erosion of authority
3. Decline of consensus around core values

Question 13

Define cultural relativism.

Answer 13

Idea that all cultures have equal value

Opposite of ethnocentrism

Question 14

What do symbolic interactionists think of culture?

Answer 14

• Seen as freedom
• Result of creativity and choice
• We can choose how culture influences us

Question 15

Define multiculturalism.

Answer 15

Promoting + funding maintenance of culturally diverse communities

Question 16

Define rationalization (as coined by Weber).

Answer 16

Application of the most effective means to achieve goals + the unintended negative consequences of doing so
(Ex. Use of clocks/time, fast food restaurants + their workers)

Question 17

Define consumerism.

Answer 17

Defining oneself by the goods/services one purchases

Question 18

What are the 5 steps to a good consumer?

Answer 18

1. Create an all-encompassing environment (associate consumption w/ youth, sex, glamour, etc.), create the “sizzle”
2. Normalize consumption (rely on need to conform)
3. Define and redefine “good taste”
4. Require frequent replacement of commodities (Planned obsolescence)
5. Makes commodities easy to purchase (Credit)

Question 19

Define subculture.

Answer 19

Set of distinctive values/norms/practices within a larger culture

Question 20

Define counterculture.

Answer 20

Subversive culture, opposed to dominant values + seek to replace them
(Ties into consumerism –> seeking to transform cultural deviations into means of profit)