MCAT Culture Flashcards
What is culture? What are common components of culture?
A shared way of life between people that’s via customs and ideas.
Common components is values, beliefs, rituals, symbols.
Values v. Beliefs in a culture
Values is what is deemed important, desirable, or moral in a culture.
Beliefs is what is held to be true and is used to guide our behavior.
Symbols. What is the biggest symbol used?
Symbols is anything that has shared meaning in a culture. Symbols can mean different things to different cultures.
The biggest symbol is language which can be written, spoken, or nonverbal.
What is cultural practices? Rituals?
Cultural practices are behaviors a culture engages in.
Rituals is a cultural practice that encompasses traditional behaviors that’s part of a ceremony or celebration.
Symbolic v. Materialistic culture
Symbolic culture is non-materialistic aspects of a culture.
Materialistic culture is materialistic aspects of a culture.
Objects can have a symbolic meaning outside of the main purpose of the object.
Dominant culture v. Subculture v. Counterculture
Dominant culture is elements ( beliefs, values, cultural practices) of the main culture.
Subculture- culture that has the dominant culture but also elements of it’s own culture.
Counterculture- culture that rejects elements of the dominant culture. Can be independent of the dominant culture or opposing the dominant culture.
Cultural lag
When symbolic culture lags behind rapidly changing materialistic culture.
Culture shock
When someone is placed in a new culture, and they don’t know the elements of the culture this can cause uneasiness.
Assimilation v. Accommodation (multiculturalism)
Assimilation is when a subculture ( ie. immigrant group) adopts elements of the dominant culture.
Accommodation (multiculturalism) is when the dominant culture recognizes the distinctions of the subculture. Able to retain their identities.
Popular culture
Elements of a culture that is recognized or practiced by many within that culture.
Spread through mass media.
Cultural transmission v. Cultural diffusion
Cultural transmission is the passing on elements of a culture from one generation to another. Happens through socialization and education.
Cultural diffusion is the passing on of elements of a culture to another society.
Socialization
The internalizing of the elements of a culture.
This is how elements of a culture is shared from one generation to another.
Agents of socialization
The agents by which socialization happens
- family
- friends/ peers
- workplace/ school
- mass media
Primary socialization v. Secondary socialization
Primary socialization is the internalization of the elements of the dominant (main) culture.
Secondary socialization is the internalization of elements of subculture they become part of.
Anticipatory socialization v. Resocialization
Anticipatory socialization is when someone learns the elements of a culture before joining.
Resocialization is when a person enters a new subculture and must learn it.
