SECTION 1: 6 MARKERS Flashcards
Explain using examples, the concept of culture
Culture is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behaviour and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.
One example is global culture, which is the hegemonic culture shared around the world. Global culture is the enemy of cultural diversity, as it is the view that everywhere is becoming the same.
Another example of culture is high culture, it is the culture of the rich, and a culture very few can attain. The people who come under this term enjoy the finer activities such as ballet and opera.
stuart hall = global culutre, culutral homogensition, culutral resistance, culutral hybridty.
Explain, using examples, the concepts of values.
Values go hand in hand with norms. Values are the informal laws in society that we follow in order to respect the current norm. Value is also a massive part of our identity, and presents the person we are.
one example of value is the beliefs about respect for a human’s life, like if someone passes away it’s valuable to respect the life they had, also privacy for individuals and the importance of families in society. Like in Saudi Arabia, they value traditional families and religions where the men are breadwinners and the women are housemakers.
Other examples are individuals with values of honesty, integrity, kindness and generosity, the values individuals have help shape their identity in society and could help build their social status where other people respect and admire them because of their values.
Parsons argues about value consensus in society and how the need for societies to have a common set of beliefs and principles to work with and towards.
Explain using examples, the concept of subcultures
Subcultures are a branch and a smaller part, of a larger head culture with more precise initiatives. These subcultures may share the main ideology, but the norms of the subculture may vary.
CCCS look closely at youth spectacular subcultures.
One example of a subculture is the skinheads. Originally the skinheads were peaceful in the first wave, however in the later waves the skinheads were known for their Islamophobic viewpoints and increased racism.
Another example of subcultures is the teddy boys. The teddy boys came from working-class backgrounds, and wore an immaculate suit to as a form of class resistance.
other examples are moonies and Scientology for religious subcultures
Explain using examples the concept of global culture.
Global culture is the main shared view of the world and the hegemonic view of Western culture. Global culture is increasingly spreading due to globalization.
An example of global culture is cultural homogenization which is argued by stuart hall where everybody accepts a global culture, and all countries become similar or the same. However, this has led to a significant dilution of diversity. As well Mcluhen talks about global villages which says how the world seems smaller due to global culture Ritzer - Macdonalisation
Global culture also has its enemies, such as cultural resistance. Cultural resistance is when Global culture is resisted and the original culture is protected, this results in becoming more traditional and nationalistic. Stuart Hall argues about cultural resistance where countries reject global culture as they prefer to keep their country’s culture preserved and unaffected by Western ideology, an example of a country that rejected global culture is North Korea and China with the high censorship the countries limiting societies access to other countries media like TikTok becoming slowly becoming banned.
Explain using examples, the concept of consumer culture
Consumer culture can be broadly defined as a culture where social status, values, and activities are centred on the consumption of goods and services.
An example of consumer culture is surrounded by social status. In a consumerist society such as America, your status is defined by your consumption. Furthermore, there is consumer culture in society because of days like black Friday and online shopping which has grown massively.
Jock Young argued that consumerist cultures created bulimic societies, in which the poor spent all their money on consumption in order to attain a higher status.
Polhemus - supermarket of style and how consumer culture has helped individuals make their identity now instead of being labelled as one.
Explain using examples the concept of cultural diversity
Cultural diversity is when there are multiple cultures situated in one area. For example, there can be Indians, Bangladeshi and white British in one designated area.
An example of cultural diversity is Manchester, in Manchester at least 153 languages are spoken and recognized in the city.
Another example of cultural diversity is London. London is known as a cultural melting pot for its diverse range of cultures in the city. like china town which is a whole area designed to celebrate China and the culture they have.
Parekh argues that there are 3 different types of diversity
1. Own distinct lifestyles while complying with the norms of society
2. Rebel against core, dominant norms and values.
3. Communal diversification - ethnic groups add diversity to the dominant lifestyle
Explain using examples the concept of cultural hybridity
a hybrid is a cross between merging of two or more things, when cultures merge it’s referred to as cultural hybridity.
Cultural hybridity is seen in third-generation immigrants who adopt hybrid identities, mixing aspects of their parents’ culture.
For example, UK culture is often described as a hybrid because it contains aspects of English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish culture, but also influences from Asian cultures, Caribbean
cultures and African cultures.
One example of a hybrid culture is Brasians, which is a mix of British and Asian cultures. Asian cultures such as Bhangra music or Henna tattoos are mixed with British values to create a fusion or a hybrid.
Nayak - white wannabes who are influenced by hip hop/ black culture and form a cultural hybrid identity
Explain using examples the concept of norms
Norms are expected patterns of behaviour based on the values of a culture. Norms are linked to values, the reason we perform behaviours is because we hold certain beliefs. For example, it’s a norm to be nice to others, which shows the values of friendliness
For example, in the UK it’s a norm to wear clothes in public, based on the values of modesty. To eat
food with a knife and fork, based on the values of hygiene and manners. Another example is that it’s a norm to queue in the line, which shows the value of patience.
Norms of any culture are relative which means they are not the same for everyone,
for example, it is a norm to eat with a knife and fork, but in Eastern Asia, it is more common to eat with chopsticks.
Margert Mead primitve society
looked into gender expected behaviour for males and females in Samoa and New Guinea.
1. The Mundugumor tribe were both agressive and violent
2. The Arapesh tribe was gentle and cooperative with each other.
explain using examples the concept of popular culture
popular culture refers to cultural products and activities enjoyed by the vast majority of the population, such as watching TV or going to the cinema. Some feel popular culture is manufactured and is a form of brainwashing the general population.
Bourdieu argues that the difference between high culture and popular culture is controlled by the power of the group of people who support them.
Adorno argues the media distracts people from the real-life problems. The media is in charge of spreading popular culture, providing large access to things such as music, films and advertisements.
Postmodernists argue that popular culture is giving a massive choice of cultural products and styles. high culture and popular culture are being mixed together and technology has made it available to everyone. for example, classical books being converted into films - Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Explain using examples the concept of High culture
High culture is a culture among the upper classes where it’s closed off to a limited amount of individuals as this is considered to be high cultured because it represents a high achievement. Seen as superior to other forms of culture and often appreciated by those with high intellect and education.
For example opera, ballet, polo and lacrosse - Bullingdon club
Mcintosh and Mooney argue that high culture is invisible to mainstream society as it’s closed off. Levis - exclusive
Postmodernists suggest that high culture and popular culture are being mixed together, and technology has made cultural products available to everyone. For example,
classical books are being converted into films.
