Download Culture

Chapter 2 Cultural Diversity

Most sociologists
believe that people
are not locked into
predetermined sets
of behaviors. They
are changed by their
environments.
What is culture?

Culture consists of all the shared products of
human groups.

Include physical objects

Material culture


books, cars, clothing, etc.
Include beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a
group.

Nonmaterial culture

Language, rules, politics, etc.
What is society?

Society



A group of interdependent people who
have organized in such a way as to share a
common culture in unity.
Society = People
Culture = Materials and nonmaterial
products
that people create.
Components of Culture

Technology

Knowledge and material goods people use for
practical purposes.




Internet
Cars
phones
Why are sociologists interested in technology?

Want to know if people misuse technology for personal
desire



Hacking systems
Running over people
Threatening people on the phone
Language

Language

Organization of
written or spoken
symbols into a
standardized system.

Used to express ideas
of a culture
Values

Values


Shared beliefs about
what is good, bad,
right, or wrong.
Language and
symbols allow us to
communicate our
values
Norms

Norms


Shared rules of conduct
that tell people how to
act in specific situations.
Example: In US, value of
a democratic government
is reinforced through
norms such as:


Stating the Pledge of
Allegiance
Respect to the flag
Norms

Norms = expected behavior in society

Norms ≠ actual behavior

Example:


People are taught to pay their bills
People don’t always pay their bills
Folkways

Norms that describe socially acceptable
behavior but do not have great moral
significance attached to them.

“common customs”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full!”
Do your homework!”
Shake hands when you meet someone.”

Little punishment if you do not follow these rules.


Social Mores

Opposite of Folkways

Mores = Norms with great moral significance!

Violation of such rules endangers society’s well
being and stability


Ex: murder, fraud, etc.
Laws are written to keep people from going
against social mores.

Laws = written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by
the government.
3 levels of Culture

Culture Trait
Culture Trait

Culture Complexes

Culture Patterns
Culture
Complex
Culture
Patterns
Culture Traits


Simplest level of a culture
Culture traits = an individual act or
belief that is related to a particular
situation or need.

Examples


using a fork at the dinner table
Saying Hi to a friend
Culture Complexes

Individual culture traits combine to form next
level called culture complexes

Cluster of interrelated traits.

Examples of a family’s culture complexes:





Mom and Dad
Siblings
Jobs
Schools
Religion
Culture Patterns

Culture complexes combine to make culture
patterns.


Combination of a number of culture complexes
into an interrelated whole group.
Culture Traits Culture Complexes Culture Patterns