Week 4 Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the definition of culture?
The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought.
Culture also includes the predominating attitudes and behaviors that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.
What does Dorothy Lee describe culture as?
One society’s solutions to perennial human problems, such as how to worship, celebrate, resolve conflict, work, think, and learn.
This emphasizes the adaptive nature of culture to human challenges.
What are some aspects that distinguish cultures?
- Geography
- Language
- Religion
- Age
- Education
- Technology
Each aspect influences how cultures develop and interact.
How does geography affect culture?
Response to environment affects clothing, food, etc.
Different climates lead to different cultural practices and necessities.
What role does language play in culture?
Symbolic structures used to communicate.
Language shapes thought and cultural identity.
What is a subculture?
Different responses and attitudes to socially constructed beliefs.
Subcultures often emerge as reactions to maintain a sense of belonging due to alienation.
Why is culture necessary according to Becker?
Cultural relativity or cultural ‘hero system’ serves as a vehicle for earthly heroism.
It protects individuals from harm and assures a place in the afterlife.
What does culture provide to individuals?
- Stability and order
- Meaning and value in life
- A sense of belonging
- Self-esteem
These elements contribute to overall psychological well-being.
What happens when life has no meaning?
We feel depressed!
A lack of cultural meaning can lead to existential crises.
What are the ways to achieve immortality according to the text?
- Symbolically: through art, science, and creation
- Passing on genes to offspring
- Being a valued member of a larger group or nation
These concepts highlight the human desire for legacy.
What does culture dictate?
What is valued and meaningful, giving us a feeling of self-worth.
Cultural values can be specific and may not align with those of other cultures.
What is cultural diversity?
Accepting different cultures without ignoring the differences among them.
It promotes a mosaic-like society where individuality is maintained.
True or False: Culture is static.
False
Culture is dynamic and evolves through borrowing from other cultures.
What psychological issue arises from encountering different belief systems?
The mere existence of people with alternate views is psychologically problematic.
This can lead to a conflict in perceived significance and stability.
Fill in the blank: Cultural groups may have differences, but the same underlying purpose of creating _______ and value is common.
meaning
This commonality can foster understanding and acceptance.
