Sociological Theory and Culture Flashcards
What is functionalism?
The theory that all aspects of a society serve a function and are necessary for the survival of that society. Like culture, which can be used to identify order and stability in societies.
What are the cultural biases? (3)
- Ideal culture
- Ethnocentrism
- Stereotyping
What is ideal culture? (cultural bias)
Culture that only lives in people’s minds. The set of values people claim to believe in, profess openly, hold for worship and adoration.
What is ethnocentrism? (cultural bias)
The tendency to use one’s own culture as a basis for evaluating other cultures.
What is stereotyping? (cultural bias)
Making a stable or sweeping generalization about a category of people.
What is high culture?
The set of preferences, tastes, and norms that are characteristic of, or supported by high status groups. Includes fine arts, classical music, ballets, etc.
What is the theory of leisure class? (Thorstein Veblen)
The symbolic nature of social prestige, like fads and fashions, encourages wasteful consumption of time and goods. This consumption confirms the status and power of people who are able to afford such goods.
What is popular culture (mass culture)?
The culture of ordinary people, which includes objects and preferences in widespread society. This includes popular music, goods, movies, television programs and services for mass markets.
What is cultural capital?
A body of knowledge and interpersonal skills that helps people to get ahead socially. This often includes learning about and participating in high culture.
What did Pierre Bourdieu say about the formal education system?
That formal education system (school) reproduces cultural divisions in society. Children from higher social classes are more likely to succeed because they have the tools and values that allow them to succeed. And the school system rewards students who are from higher social classes, partly because the educators are from the same class.
What is subculture?
A group within a population whose values, norms, folkways or mores set them apart from mainstream culture.
What is counterculture?
A type of subculture that strongly opposes the widely held cultural patterns of the larger population.
What are examples of Canadian values?
Belief in fairness and equality, importance of tolerance, s support for diversity, compassion, generosity.
