Topic 1

Question 1

What is culture?

Answer 1

A way of life of a society. It is transmitted through socialisation.

Question 2

What is Primary Socialisation?

Answer 2

Family/Guardians

Question 3

What is Secondary Socialisation?

Answer 3

School/media/peers/ work.

Question 4

What are the different types of culture?

Answer 4

Dominant Culture
Subculture
Folk Culture
Mass Culture
Popular Culture
High Culture
Low Culture
Global Culture

Question 5

What is Dominant Culture?

Answer 5

The culture which is shared or at least accepted without opposition by the majority of the population.

Question 6

What are subcultures?

Answer 6

In a larger society, smaller groups begin to emerge. They may act in resistance to dominant culture. This is subcultural resistance.

Question 7

What is an example of a subculture?

Answer 7

Youth subcultures such as skinheads and punks. Hall and Jefferson found that youth subcultures often challenge dominant culture.

Question 8

What is folk culture?

Answer 8

Folk culture is very historical and traditional. It is passed through word of mouth and through generations.

Question 9

What time period does folk culture really end at?

Answer 9

Industrial Revolution as urbanisation occurred.

Question 10

What did Durkheim say is a difference between pre-industrial society and modern society?

Answer 10

Pre-industrial societies have mechanical solidarity. Their solidarity came from the homogeneity of individuals.
Modern Society has organic solidarity, which is based upon interdependence.

Question 11

What is mass culture?

Answer 11

Mass Culture has replace folk culture. This relates to the idea of the homogenisation of culture, culture is becoming more similar. The audience are passive.

Question 12

What is Mass Culture designed to do?

Answer 12

Designed to appeal to a mass audience. Some examples are cinemas and football.

Question 13

What did The Frankfurt School believe was linked to development of mass culture?

Answer 13

A reduced sense of community.

Question 14

What is Popular Culture?

Answer 14

Similar to mass culture but assumes audience are active and are making choices and shaping culture.

Question 15

What are the four definitions of popular culture according to John Storey?

Answer 15

1. Quantitative - most populous.
2. Residual - all culture that is not high is therefore popular.
3. Democratic - comes from all the people. We have the power to create pop culture.
4. Hybrid - capitalism sells people the means to create their own popular culture.

Question 16

What is High Culture?

Answer 16

Sophisticated/ better educated. It is associated with upper classes. Assumes audience are active.

Question 17

What is Low Culture?

Answer 17

Understandable, associated with lower classes. Assumes the audience is passive.
This culture is seen as having little value as associated with the working class.

Question 18

What is global culture?

Answer 18

Through globalisation, cultural differences have ‘flattened’ which make countries more interconnected and similar. (Hybrid Cultures)

Question 19

What are the characteristics of folk societies?

Answer 19

1) Small Scale
2) Sacred
3) Spontaneous
4) Intimate
5) Ascribed Status
6) Traditional
7) Family Centred
8) Cohesive

Question 20

What are the characteristics of urban societies?

Answer 20

1) Large Scale
2) Secular
3) Restrained
4) Impersonal
5) Achieved Status
6) Rational
7) Mass society
8) Individualistic