culture unit 3. what is culture? o the shared products of human groups. o physical objects make up...

CultureUnit 3

What is culture?O The shared products of human

groups.

O Physical objects make up material culture.

Ex: cars, books, buildings, clothes, computers, cooking utensilsO Abstract human creations form a

groups non-material culture.O Ex: , skills, family patterns, ideas,

language, political ideology, rules, ideas

What is the difference between society and culture?

O Society consists of people, and culture consists of material and non-material products that people make.

Describe American Culture

O 1.O 2.O 3.O 4.O 5.O 6.O 7.

Components of Culture

1. Technology2. Symbols3. Language4. Values5. Norms

TechnologyO A society’s

culture not only consists of physical objects but also the rules for using those objects.

O Using physical objects requires skill which is a part of non-material culture.

TechnologyO http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRL8xVjXK_w

Explain the previous clip

O 1. Using symbolic interactionist perspective.

O 2. Using functionalist perspective.O 3. Using conflict perspective.

SymbolsO Symbols are the

basis of human culture

O All humans use symbols to communicate

O A symbol is anything that represents something else.

The sociology of the hand shake

O Types: O Functionalist-O Symbolic

InteractionO Conflict Theory

LanguageO One of the

obvious aspects of any culture is language.

O When organized by accepted rules of grammar, words can be used to express any idea.

ValuesO Shared beliefs

about what is desirable, right or wrong, good or bad.

O In a rite of passage, some Nigerian girls spend months gaining weight and

O learning customs in a special room. “To be called a ‘slim princess’ is an

O abuse,” says a defender of the practice.

NormsO Shared rules of conduct that

reinforce values.O Some norms are formalized as

written rules.O Others are taught through

socialization at school and home.

Three types of Norms1. Folkways- address acceptable behavior but do not have moral significance.

Ex: Using the wrong fork

2. Mores- address acceptable behavior with great moral consequence.Ex: Killing someone.

3. Laws- address unacceptable behavior enforced by government.

How to break norms…O – HAVE A ANIMATED CONVERSATION WITH YOURSELF IN PUBLICO – LOOK UP ALL THE TIMEO – SAY HELLO TO EVERYONEO – WHEN PEOPLE ASK YOU HOW YOU ARE DOING, TELL THEM

ABOUT YOUR WHOLE DAYO – WEAR YOUR CLOTHES BACKWARDSO – DON’T TAKE YOUR HAT, COAT, & GLOVES OFF, EVEN INSIDE.O – VIOLATE PEOPLE’S PERSONAL SPACEO – WHISPER TO WHEN YOU TALKO – YELL WHEN YOU TALKO – ASK STRANGERS IF YOU CAN CUT IN LINE. IF THEY ASK WHY YOU

NEED TO, THEN SAY YOU DON’T REALLY FEEL LIKE WAITING FOR VERY LONG.

O – AT YOUR PARENTS HOME ASK FOR PERMISSION TO DO EVERYTHING (GET A DRINK, USE THE BATHROOM, WATCH TV, ETC)

Cultural UniversalsO Features that are common to all

human cultures:O 1. Arts and leisureO 2. Basic needsO 3. BeliefsO 4. Communication and educationO 5. FamilyO 6. Government and economyO 7. Technology

Cultural VariationsO Just as culture varies from place to

place. There are also variations with in cultures.

O Subculture- a group with its own unique values, norms, and behaviors with in a larger culture.

O Counterculture- a group that rejects the values, norms and behaviors of the larger society and replaces them with a new set of cultural paterns.

How does culture change?

O Cultural diffusion- spreading of cultural ideas.

O Cultural lag- time between changesO Cultural leveling- the process

towards global culture.

Functionalist Perspective

O Culture enforces society’s central values.

O It encourages harmony and stability.O Sub cultures diffuse discontent of

sub groups.O Ethnocentrism encourages group

solidarity.

Conflict PerspectiveO Culture reflects and enforces the

values of those who hold power.O It encourages and maintains social

inequality.O Subcultures and Countercultures

challenge those in power.O Ethnocentrism encourages

discrimination against the powerless.

Symbolic InteractionistO Culture is maintained and modified

through everyday social interaction.O Interaction between subculture

groups help introduce new cultural meaning systems.

Review QuestionsO 1.What is the difference between material and non-

material culture?O 2. How are folkways and mores different? Give an

example.O 3. What is subculture?O 4. What perspective says that culture reflects and

enforces society’s central values?O 5. Why does cultural lag exist?O 6. Why does material culture change more rapidly

than non-material culture?O 7. OPINION: Is cultural leveling a good or bad thing?

Is it good for cultures to become more alike? Give real life examples.