Key concepts

Question 1

What is culture?

Answer 1

Culture refers to the way of life in a society or social group comprising of values and norms which include language and history

Question 2

Give some examples of culture

Answer 2

• How we dress as it can present our status and heritage
• The languages spoken as a result of communication
• Types of culture like British, French

Question 3

What are norms?

Answer 3

They are culturally accepted forms of behavior that reflect key values in society. They are taught to others via socialisation

Question 4

Give examples of norms

Answer 4

• Table manners reflect the value of being polite
• Wearing clothes in public present the value of modesty

Question 5

What are values?

Answer 5

They are important beliefs and ideas that guide our behavior

Question 6

Give examples of values

Answer 6

IN THE UK,
- Everyone has the right in court since we value justice
- Every race and ethnicity has equal opportunities reflecting the value of tolerance and equality

Question 7

What are subcultures?

Answer 7

Subcultures are minority social groups that follow mainstream culture, values and norms however they have their own interests and practices

Question 8

Give examples of subculture

Answer 8

• Jewish people
• Youth subcultures

Question 9

What is high culture?

Answer 9

The use of aesthetically and intellectually pleasing products in order to look superior. This is often associated with upper class culture which Marxists believe to be superior

Question 10

Give examples of high culture

Answer 10

• Private education
• Classic Literature

Question 11

What is popular culture?

Answer 11

These are products and practices that are enjoyed by the majority of people. Since you need a lack of knowledge to understand it, it is seen as inferior to high culture. Marxists however view popular culture as a type of social control.

Question 12

Give examples of popular culture

Answer 12

• Watching TV
• Using a mobile phone

Question 13

What is global culture?

Answer 13

A set of shared experience, norms, symbols and ideas that unite people at a global level to reflect a standarisation of cultural expressions around the world. Global culture is spread through mass communication as globalisation has allowed the world to become more connected and interdependent

Question 14

Give examples of global culture?

Answer 14

• fast food restaurants which through their products and averts reflect idealised American values
• big global sporting events

Question 15

What is consumer culture?

Answer 15

It is when a person’s social status, norms and activities are centred around the consumption of goods and services. Marxists view consumer culture negatively as it significantly contributes to capitalism and it leads to alienation amongst people as they lose human qualities because of their drive for the newest product. This has risen over the last few decades due to improved living standards including wage increase and a larger variety of goods

Question 16

Give examples of consumer culture

Answer 16

• credit card debt becoming normalised
• sharing recent purchases on social media

Question 17

What is cultural diversity?

Answer 17

This is when different cultures live among one but despite having different interests and practices, they share similar norms and beliefs allowing them to appear as a cohesive society

Question 18

Give examples of cultural diversity

Answer 18

• Uk cities
• Transnational workplaces culture like L’Oréal as they hire in over 150 countries and the advocate for workers with disabilities
• political diversity
• linguistic diversity is when different languages or dialects coexist in the same territorial in Brazil, 188 languages are spokes

Question 19

What is cultural hybridity?

Answer 19

Where two of more cultures are mixed together which is often presented as a product or service. It can result from encounters of people from different backgrounds, beliefs, races, languages and religion which is helping to challenge existing cultural identities

Question 20

Give examples of cultural hybridity

Answer 20

• the creation of chicken tikka masala
• fast food restaurants altering their menu depending on the country
  the restaurant is in
• Braisian culture