Module 4: Culture Flashcards
Two important things to remember when studying culture are that
- culture is changing so we need to be aware to the ways that culture is human-made and therefore not static.
- there is no one culture; it varies across time and place, and in its composition. A single culture may be contained within a single nation, but often it crosses boundaries, right down to a plurality of cultures in a country, a city, a neighbourhood, or even a household.
Ethnocentrism
refers to the tendency to negatively judge other cultures based on the standards of your own culture.
cultural relativism
The practice of assessing the components of a culture in the context of that culture itself, and not compared to another culture
multiculturalism
assimilation
the process by which an individual takes on the values, norms, and practices of the dominant culture
colonization
The Canadian Multiculturalism Act is designed to recognize and promote: (4)
- the full participation of all individuals and communities in the development of Canada
- equal treatment and protection under the law
- equal opportunities to gain employment
- the preservation and enhancement of non-official languages, while strengthening the official languages (English and French)
cultural appropriation
High culture+ex (2)
Refers to elements of a culture that are high status and are therefore associated with a society’s elite. Not just anyone can afford a $5,000 (USD) hamburger.
Mass culture
Refers to the cultural practices and goods associated with the majority. Mass culture is more pervasive, commonly shared, and not associated with high status.
Dominant culture+ex (2)
refers to the values, behaviours, customs, symbols, and objects of the majority; in Canada, think democracy, hockey, or the English language.
A subculture
Counterculture+ ex (2)
- a type of subculture that is in opposition to dominant culture.
- Examples of a counterculture centred on social norms are those engaged in non-monogamous long-term romantic relationships, who are counter to mainstream values of monogamy in such long-term partnerships. (This topic is something you’ll read about in Chapter 11—Relationships and Families.)
rites of passage
Material culture+ ex (2)
- the tangible objects and technologies of a culture
- this includes such things as the foods we consume, the kind of housing common to where we live, and the museums we visit
Non-material culture (2)
- the intangible values, norms, and symbols of a culture
- Examples of non-material culture are ceremonies, language, and our expectations for all types of behaviour, from how to enter and exit public transit through to our laws.
Social-media technology—an example of
material culture
Technology
Technology is material goods that are designed for the practical purposes of humans through the application of scientific knowledge.
Consumerism
the tendency for people’s activities and identities to revolve around the purchasing of material goods
conspicuous consumption
Values
are generally accepted ideas about what is good, right, important, and desirable
Norms
are generally accepted standards for behaviour.
symbols
are objects and gestures that carry meaning to those within a shared culture.
deviance+ex
behaviour that violates cultural expectations or standards of behaviour
- ex not voting