Module 4

Question 1

Culture

Answer 1

-Composed of beliefs, norms, values, language, symbols, and material objects common to members of a particular group/society
~Culture is a lens through which we perceive and evaluate the world
~It creates social cohesion and also be an instrument of domination and exclusion
~Current shifts in culture: expansion of individualistic perceptions

Question 2

Cultural universals

Answer 2

-Values or modes of behaviors shared by all human cultures

Question 3

Material culture

Answer 3

-Physical objects/artifacts created and consumed that shape people’s lives
~Food, buildings, clothing, toys

Question 4

Nonmaterial culture

Answer 4

-Nonphysical or abstract creations of human cultures such include ideas about behavior and living
~Languages, symbols, norms, values, and beliefs
~Expecting an applause at the end of a performance
~Patriotisms and consumerism

Question 5

Basic Principles: A quick summary

Answer 5

• There is nothing “natural” about material culture
• There is nothing “natural” about nonmaterial culture
• Culture penetrates deeply into out thinking and becomes the assumed lens for vewing the world
• Culture provides implicit instructions that establish a fundamental basis for making out decisions
• We view actions as right or wrong according to out internalized culture
• Coming into contact with a radically different culture challenges out basic assumptions of life
• Culture itself is universal, it exist in all human groups

Question 6

Norms

Answer 6

-Establish standards of behavior maintained by society
~For a norm to become significant, it must be widely shared
~Norms are a form of social control

Question 7

Sanctions

Answer 7

• Positive
• Negative
• Formal
• Informal

Question 8

Positive

Answer 8

-Pay raise, medal, word of gratitude

Question 9

Negative

Answer 9

-dirty looks, fines, threats, imprisonment

Question 10

Formal

Answer 10

-Ceremony,

Question 11

Informal

Answer 11

-Thank you

Question 12

Three types of Norms

Answer 12

• Folkways
• Mores
• Tabpps

Question 13

Folkways

Answer 13

-informal norms governing everyday behavior that are not strictly enforced
~Informal negative sanctions if violated
~Informal positive sanctions if upheld

Question 14

Mores

Answer 14

-Formal norms are highly necessary for the general welfare of society, embodying cherished principles of people, and are strictly enforced
~Typically codified in written laws

Question 15

Taboos

Answer 15

-Norms so strong that is often brings revulsion if violated followed by severe sanctions such as ostracize and expulsion of the individual from the group or society
~Incest and Cannibalism

Question 16

Language

Answer 16

• Primary vehicle of meaning and communication in a society, language is a system of symbols that represent objects and abstract thoughts

Question 17

Beliefs

Answer 17

-Particular ideas that people accept as true
~Can be based on faith, superstition, science, traditions, or experience. Beliefs are dynamic, always changing
~Beliefs may be understood as real when they are real in their consequences

Question 18

Values

Answer 18

-Abstract ideas held by individuals and groups about what is desirable, proper, good, and bad
~Idealized principles, source of cohesion and group conflict

Question 19

Ideal Culture

Answer 19

-Norms, values that a group considers ideal

Question 20

Real Culture

Answer 20

-Norms, values that a group actually follows

Question 21

Cultural diversity

Answer 21

-Key element found in all modern societies
~Culture aids in the construction of social boundaries
*Based on a range of characteristics, such as language, religion, descent (real and imagined)

Question 22

Assimilation

Answer 22

-A process by which a ethnic group shed their past culture in order to be absorbed into the dominant culture

Question 23

Multiculturalism

Answer 23

-respect cultural differences rather that submerging them into a larger dominant culture

Question 24

The power of culture

Answer 24

-Culture inform and shapes one’s identity
~Identity is based on statuses and roles
~Identity empowers people

Question 25

Subcultures

Answer 25

-A group within a wider society, whose values and norm are distinct from the majority

Question 26

Counterculture

Answer 26

-Groups that reject the prevailing and dominant values and norms with in a society

Question 27

Ethnocentrism

Answer 27

-Worldview whereby we judge other cultures by the standards of our own
~perceive own culture as “natural” or “normal”
~can lead to unfair and misrepresented judgments of other cultures
-Can be taken to the extreme, ethnocentrism can result in violence and genocide

Question 28

Cultural Relativism

Answer 28

-Worldview where by we understand the practice of another society sociologically, in terms of that society’s own norms and values

Question 29

Hegemony

Answer 29

-Condition by which a dominant group uses its power to elicit and maintain control and privilege by way of voluntary consent from the masses

Question 30

Counter-hegemony

Answer 30

-Refers to movements or ideas that critique or seek to dismantle hegemonic power