Chapter 3 Culture Chapter Outline Culture and Society

Chapter 3 Culture

Chapter Outline § § § Culture and Society in a Changing World Components of Culture Technology, Cultural Change, and Diversity A Global Popular Culture? Sociological Analysis of Culture in the Future

Culture § The knowledge, language, values, customs, and material objects that are passed from person to person and from one generation to the next in a human group or society.

Culture § § § Culture is essential for survival and communication with other people. Culture is learned through interaction, observation and imitation. Culture is fundamental for the survival of societies.

How Much Do You Know About Culture and Intolerance Toward Others? § True or False? § Core values in the United States are opposed to racism and a belief in the superiority of one’s own group.

How Much Do You Know About Culture and Intolerance Toward Others? § False. § Among the core American values identified by sociologists is the belief that one’s own racial or ethnic group should be valued above all others. Inherent in this belief may be the assumption of racism—that members of racial–ethnic categories other than one’s own are somehow inferior.

How Much Do You Know About Culture and Intolerance Toward Others? § True or False? § As the United States is increasing in diversity, most dominant group members (middle- and high-income white Anglo-Saxon Protestants) are becoming more tolerant of social and cultural diversity.

How Much Do You Know About Culture and Intolerance Toward Others? § False. § Recent polls show that as the U. S. has increased in diversity, most dominant-group members are not becoming more tolerant. § Examples include recent demands that immigration laws be strictly enforced, interest in establishing English as the “official” language of the United States, and pressure to eliminate affirmative action programs that benefit minoritygroup members.

Question § During the last few years, has anyone in your family brought a friend who was a the opposite race home for dinner?

GSS National Data Education No High School Diploma College Education Yes 24. 4% 31. 9% 42. 1% No 75. 6% 68. 1 57. 9%

Question § _____ consists of knowledge, language, values, customs, and material objects. a. Social structure b. Society c. Culture d. Social organization

Answer: c § Culture consists of knowledge, language, values, customs, and material objects.

Gestures With Different Meanings in Other Societies “Hook ‘em Horns” or “Your spouse is unfaithful”

Gestures With Different Meanings in Other Societies “He’s crazy” or “You have a telephone call”

Gestures With Different Meanings in Other Societies “Okay” Or “I’ll kill you”

Material Culture § Physical creations that members of a society make, use, and share. § Items of material culture begin as raw materials such as ore, trees, and oil. § They are transformed through technology. § Sociologists define technology as knowledge, techniques, and tools that make it possible for people to transform resources into usable forms, and the skills required to use them after they are developed.

Nonmaterial Culture § Abstract or intangible human creations of society that influence people’s behavior. § Language, beliefs, values, rules of behavior, family patterns, and political systems are examples of nonmaterial culture. § A central component of nonmaterial culture is beliefs.

Question § All of the following statements regarding culture are true, except: a. culture is essential for our survival. b. culture is essential for our communications with other people. c. culture is fundamental for the survival of societies. d. culture is always a stabilizing force for societies.

Answer: c § The following statement regarding culture is not true: culture is fundamental for the survival of societies.

Cultural Universals § Examples: § Appearance (bodily adornment, hairstyles) § Activities (sports, dancing, games, joking) § Social institutions (family, law, religion) § Practices (cooking, folklore, gift giving)

Components of Culture Symbol Language Anything that meaningfully represents something else. Symbols that express ideas and enable people to communicate.

Components of Culture Values Norms Collective ideas about what is right or wrong and good or bad. Established rules of behavior or standards of conduct.

Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis § § According to this theory, language shapes the view of reality of its speakers. If people are able to think only through language, then language must precede thought.

Language and Gender Male Term Female Term Neutral Term Teacher Worker /employee Working mother Worker /employee Janitor/ maintenance man Maid/ cleaning lady Custodial attendant

Languages Spoken in U. S. Households Language Total Estimated Number of Speakers English only 215, 423, 557 Spanish 28, 101, 052 Chinese 2, 022, 143 French 1, 643, 838 German 1, 383, 442 Tagalog 1, 224, 241

Languages Spoken in U. S. Households Language Total Estimated Number of Speakers Vietnamese 1, 009, 627 Italian 1, 008, 370 Korean 894, 063 Russian 706, 242 Polish 667, 414 Arabic 614, 582

Ten Core American Values 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Individualism Achievement and Success Activity and Work Science and Technology Progress and Material Comfort

Ten Core American Values Efficiency and Practicality 7. Equality 8. Morality and Humanitarianism 9. Freedom and Liberty 10. Racism and Group Superiority 6.

Question § Which of the following hypothetical statements does not express a core U. S. value? a. "How well does it work? " b. "Is this a realistic thing to do? " c. "My freedom is important to me. " d. "It is good to be lazy. "

Answer: d § The hypothetical statement, “It is good to be lazy. " does not express a core U. S. value.

Cultural Diversity § Cultural differences between and within nations are caused by: § Natural circumstances - Climate, geography § Social circumstances Technology, composition of the population

Norms § § § Norms are established rules of behavior or standards of conduct. Prescriptive norms state what behavior is appropriate or acceptable. Proscriptive norms state what behavior is inappropriate or unacceptable.

Formal and Informal Norms § § Formal norms are written down and involve specific punishments for violators. § Laws are the most common type of formal norms. Informal norms are unwritten standards of behavior understood by people who share a common identity. § When individuals violate informal norms, people may apply informal sanctions.

Folkways § § Everyday customs that may be violated without serious consequences within a particular culture. In the United States, folkways include: § using underarm deodorant § brushing our teeth § wearing appropriate clothing for a specific occasion

Mores § Strongly held norms with moral and ethical connotations that may not be violated without serious consequences. § Taboos are mores so strong that violation is considered extremely offensive and even unmentionable. § The incest taboo, which prohibits sexual relations between certain kin, is an example of a nearly universal taboo.

Laws § Formal, standardized norms that have been enacted by legislatures and are enforced by formal sanctions. § Civil law deals with disputes among persons or groups. § Criminal law deals with public safety and well-being.

Technology, Cultural Change, and Diversity § § Changes in technology continue to shape the material culture of society: § The introduction of the printing press more than 500 years ago and the advent of computers and electronic communications in the twentieth century. Cultural lag is a gap between the technical development of a society and its moral and legal institutions.

Cultural Diversity § Cultural differences between and within nations are caused by: § Natural circumstances § climate, geography § Social circumstances § technology, composition of the population

Cultural Diversity of U. S. Society: Religion

Question § In what religion were you raised? § Protestant § Catholic § Jewish

GSS National Data Region East Midwest South West Protestant 43. 2% 67. 8% 80. 1% 58. 8% Catholic 52. 2% 31. 1% 18. 3% 38. 1% Jewish 4. 6% 1. 1% 1. 6% 3. 1%

Cultural Diversity of U. S. Society: Income

Cultural Diversity of U. S. Society: Race/Ethnicity

Question § In which of these groups did your total family income, from all sources, fall last year before taxes, that is? § $1 K-$14999 § $15 K-24999 § 25 K and up

GSS National Data Education No High School Diploma College Education 49. 5% 22. 6% 13. 2% 21. 1% 20. 7% 13. 3% 29. 3% 56. 7% 73. 5% $1 K-$14999 $15 K-24999 25 K and up

The Old Order Amish Subculture § § § Strong faith in God. Rejection of worldly concerns. Rely on horse and buggy for transportation.

Examples of Countercultures § § § Beatniks of the 1950’s Flower Children of the 1960’s Drug Enthusiasts of the 1970’s

Culture Shock, Ethnocentrism, and Cultural Relativism § § § Culture shock refers to the anxiety people experience when they encounter cultures radically different from their own. Ethnocentrism is the assumption that one’s own culture is superior to others. Cultural relativism views and analyzes another culture in terms of that culture’s own values and standards.

Question § An alternative to ethnocentrism is: a. racism b. Prejudice c. cultural relativism d. xenophobia

Answer: c § An alternative to ethnocentrism is cultural relativism.

High Culture and Popular Culture § § High culture consists of activities patronized by elite audiences, composed of members of the upper-middle and upper classes. § Examples: classical music, opera, ballet, live theater Popular culture consists of activities, products, and services that are assumed to appeal to members of the middle and working classes. § Examples: Rock concerts, spectator sports, movies, soap operas, situation comedies

Three Forms of Popular Culture 1. Fads - a temporary but widely copied activity followed enthusiastically by large numbers of people. 2. Fashions - A style of behavior, thinking, or appearance that is longer lasting and more widespread than a fad. 3. Leisure activities

Cultural Imperialism § § The extensive infusion of one nation’s culture into other nations. § Some consider the use of the English language in countries that speak other languages as a form of cultural imperialism. If the world develops a global culture, it will likely include a diffusion of literature, music, clothing, and food from many societies and cultures.

Sociological Analysis of Culture Functionalist Conflict Culture helps people meet biological, instrumental and expressive needs. Ideas can be used by the ruling class to affect members of other classes.

Sociological Analysis of Culture Symbolic Interactionist People create, maintain, and modify culture during their everyday activities. Postmodern Culture is based on simulation of reality rather than reality itself.

Quick Quiz

1. ____ consists of the physical or tangible creations that members of a society make, use, and share. a. Nonmaterial culture b. Cultural universals c. Material culture d. High culture

Answer: c § Material culture consists of the physical or tangible creations that members of a society make, use, and share.

2. Language, beliefs, values, rules of behavior, family patterns, and political systems are examples of: a. material culture b. high culture c. nonmaterial culture d. cultural universals

Answer: c § Language, beliefs, values, rules of behavior, family patterns, and political systems are examples of nonmaterial culture.

3. An example of a symbol is: a. a dove b. all of the choices c. a heart d. Nazi swastika

Answer: b § An example of a symbol is a dove, a heart, and a Nazi swastika.

3. According to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: a. reality is objective and is easily understood by humans. b. language shapes the view of reality of its speakers. c. reality is based on the interactions of individuals. d. with more knowledge, a person minimizes the influence of language.

Answer: b § According to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, language shapes the view of reality of its speakers.

4. According to Karl Marx, and Marxist theorists: a. none of the choices. b. ideas are used by agents of the wealthy to affect the thoughts and actions of members of other classes. c. ideas are effective for the working classes to motivate the wealthy. d. ideas have little impact on the relations between the wealthy and poor in societies.

Answer: b § According to Karl Marx, and Marxist theorists, ideas are used by agents of the wealthy to affect the thoughts and actions of members of other classes.

5. Popular culture consists of: a. activities, products, and services that are assumed to appeal primarily to members of the middle and working classes. b. media events, which are typically on TV or the Internet. c. ideas that can transform a society, but have yet to take shape or form. d. fads to keep the populace uninterested in politics which can remove the status quo from power, disrupting organization and stability in everyday life.

Answer: a § Popular culture consists of activities, products, and services that are assumed to appeal primarily to members of the middle and working classes.

6. According to Functionalists, a function of popular culture is to: a. keep members of society preoccupied so they do not realize inequalities within society. b. keep members of society focused on the important things within society. c. be the glue that holds society together. d. teach cultural relativism.

Answer: c § According to Functionalists, a function of popular culture is to be the glue that holds society together.