sociology
heyman
chpt.2-Culture3.pptxChpt. 2- Culture
Definition and Characteristics of Culture
The gestures, language, values, behaviors and material objects that make up a people’s way of life.
Culture is: Learned
Shared (Time and Place)
Emerges From Interaction
Globally-Culture is Diverse
(Culture continued)
*Ethnocentrism- the belief that one’s culture is natural and superior to other cultures.
*Examples: Foods we eat, Monogamy, Romantic love vs. Arranged marriages.
*Cultural Relativism- viewing/understanding another’s culture from their perspective(through their eyes).
-How do cultural practices affect people’s quality of life?
Symbols
Symbols are things to which we attach meaning (symbols have no inherent meaning).
Symbols are the foundation of culture!
Thus, our way of life(culture) is based on meanings that develop through social interaction (meaning is not inherent in our daily lives).
Components of Culture
1. Gestures- communication with one’s body without using words (nonverbal communication).
a. Gestures are taken-for-granted (we assume all gestures mean the same thing to everyone).
b. Can cause culture shock (disorientation caused by someone’s assumptions being challenged).
c. Gestures vary tremendously globally.
(Components of Culture)
2. Language- a system of symbols that allows members of a society to communicate.
a. Allows human experiences to be cumulative.
b. Allows a shared social past and future to exist.
c. Allows shared perspectives and understandings.
d. Allows complex, goal-oriented behavior to occur.
**Language allows culture to develop!**
(Components of Culture)
3. Values- culturally defined standards; ideas of what is or is not desirable in life.
*Examples: Individualism
Material comforts
Democracy
Equality
Racism and group superiority
*Here we see value contradictions!
(Values)
a. Value Contradictions- can be the cause of social change (the Civil Rights Movement, for example).
b. Values- create social integration(unity) as well as social problems(conflict).
*Examples: Abortion debate, religion, same-sex marriages, capital punishment.
(Components of Culture)
4. Norms- rules and expectations of a society that guide people’s behavior.
-Norms ensure predictable actions!
a. Folkways- relatively minor rules that if violated are not severely punished.
*Examples?
b. Mores- extremely important norms that if violated result in a severe punishment.
-Mores represent the core values of a society!
*Examples: Murder, rape, pedophilia, drug dealing, etc. and taboo behavior(like cannibalism and incest).
How are Norms Enforced?
*Social Control- formal and informal means of enforcing norms (sanctions).
Positive Sanctions- rewards/approval
Negative Sanctions- punishments/disapproval
*Sanctions are designed to produce conformity (adherence to norms).
Different Cultural Worlds
1. Subcultures- a group whose values and behaviors distinguish its members from the general culture (a world within a world).
*Examples: weight lifting, theatre, fly-fishing, skateboarding, etc.; can also come from different ethnic groups, occupational groups, religious groups, etc.
2. Countercultures- have values and behaviors that are in opposition to the dominant culture.
*Examples: devil worshippers, KKK, an Al Qaeda terror cell, even the Amish.
Is Culture a Human Trait?
The issue: Instincts vs. Learned Behaviors
1. Animal Culture- learned, shared behavior among animals.
a. Sweet Potato Monkeys
-1953
-after ten years, 75% of the monkey troop
b. Tool Use Amongst Chimpanzees
- Jane Goodall (1960)
(Is Culture A Human Trait?)
2. Animals and Language:
*Lack of intelligence vs. Design of vocal apparatus?
(Language (symbols) vs. Mere sounds)
a. Washoe(female chimpanzee-born 1965)- learned over 160 specific signs; also generalized signs.
b. Koko(female gorilla-born 1971)-mastered a vocabulary of over 1,000 words.
c. Kanzi(male bonobo-born 1980)- amassed a vocabulary of several hundred words through a specially made keyboard.
* At a basic or fundamental level, some animals may develop learned and shared behaviors(culture) as well as having cognitive abilities that allow them to learn and use some symbols(language).
Mahatma Gandhi Quote
* “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
