Topic 1 - what is culture?

Question 1

Introduction?

Answer 1

Whenever humans form groups, they create a culture characterized by shared rules, understandings, and expected behaviors.

Question 2

Defining culture?

Answer 2

Culture describes the way of life of a group, encompassing behaviors, beliefs, and thoughts. Individuals may belong to multiple cultures; for example, someone of Asian heritage born in the UK is part of both British culture and their Asian traditions. Culture differs from society: it consists of shared beliefs and traditions, while society is formed by people who share those ideas. Modern sociologists focus more on culture, believing it shapes society.

Question 3

Material culture?

Answer 3

Material culture consists of physical items that hold emotional significance, such as clothing, homes, cars, phones, and food. These objects serve as symbols representing important aspects of our lives; for instance, wearing specific clothing to a football match often carries deeper meaning for fans beyond mere protection from the cold.

Question 4

Non- material culture?

Answer 4

Refers to the idea that people share, for example, their rules, traditions, languages and history
It’s important as it helps people understand their social world
Provides them with guidelines on how to behave

Question 5

Social construction of culture?

Answer 5

A social construction is an idea created and assigned special meaning by people, such as motherhood, which encompasses more than just giving birth. It involves raising a child, adhering to norms, values, emotional well-being, and financial stability. Expectations for good motherhood differ across cultures; for instance, Korean mothers are often seen as self-sacrificing, while British mothers may prioritize privacy. Thus, motherhood and its associated values vary significantly across different social groups.

Question 6

Collective cultures?

Answer 6

Collectivist cultures, like China and Japan, prioritize group belonging over personal freedom.

Question 7

Individualist cultures?

Answer 7

Individualistic cultures, such as those in Europe and North America, emphasize personal freedom and gain, often at the expense of others.

Question 8

Aspects of culture?

Answer 8

Culture encompasses everything created by people, including food traditions, clothing, government, education, language, religion, art, music, history, and law. Cultures can be diverse; practices accepted in one culture, like alcohol consumption, may be taboo in another, such as in Islamic cultures. Not all individuals within a culture adhere to its rules; those who do not are considered deviant, while entire groups that behave differently are known as subcultures, such as goths or drug users.

Question 9

Cultural and social control
what are the rules?

Answer 9

A key role of culture is social control, where rules are established and adhered to by most members. Individuals who violate these rules may face sanctions, while those who comply are often admired.

Question 10

2 forms of control?

Answer 10

formal and social control

Question 11

formal control?

Answer 11

Formal control involves societal institutions enforcing behavior through power. In British culture, this includes the legal system, police, schools, and the armed forces, all of which can impose severe penalties for rule violations

Question 12

informal control?

Answer 12

Informal control involves the internalization of moral codes, where individuals learn cultural beliefs as children and accept them without question. This creates a strong sense of conscience, leading some to adhere to these rules even under extreme circumstances. Those who violate these moral codes are termed deviants.

Question 13

Culture and social control
( unwritten rules)

Answer 13

Travis Hirschi, a functionalist, noted that rule-breaking can provide significant advantages, yet most people refrain from serious crime. He argued that criminals often lack proper socialization, and that unwritten rules and codes effectively regulate behavior.

Question 14

Norm?

Answer 14

A norm is an expected behavior within a culture, but it can vary between cultures. For instance, while eating insects is uncommon in the UK, it is valued as a protein source in Māori culture in New Zealand.

Question 15

More?

Answer 15

these are ways of behaving that are seen as good or moral; for example, most would agree that stealing from old people is wrong

Question 16

Values?

Answer 16

Values are fundamental rules shared by members of a culture, often related to nonmaterial culture. For example, freedom of speech is a widely accepted value, allowing individuals to express their opinions about the government.

Question 17

Beliefs?

Answer 17

Beliefs shape an individual’s values and morals, influencing their actions. They are often derived from personal experiences, culture, and religion.

Question 18

Roles?

Answer 18

Roles are the expected behaviors in specific situations, significantly influencing how we act. For example, children often follow teachers’ guidance without question.

Question 19

Status?

Answer 19

Status refers to a person’s position within society, often linked to respect. For instance, doctors hold high status and are granted privileges, such as administering injections and prescriptions, that others do not have.

Question 20

Cultural and social change?

Answer 20

Cultures rarely remain unchanged, and social change is evident in evolving roles for men and women. Over the past 50 years in Britain, women have gained status and become more active in society, leading men to adopt a broader range of roles. Functionalists view this social change as problematic, while Marxists see it as a natural state of affairs.

Question 21

cultures and social change?

Answer 21

Cultures rarely remain unchanged, and social change is evident in evolving roles for men and women. Over the past 50 years in Britain, women have gained status and become more active in society, leading men to adopt a broader range of roles. Functionalists view this social change as problematic, while Marxists see it as a natural state of affairs.

Question 22

Cultural diversity?

Answer 22

The term describes behavioral differences between cultures, highlighting the complexity of human cultures. Anthropologists have shown that these cultures can vary significantly over time, such as the stark contrasts between Britain in the 1970s and today.