Culture Study Notes for Final Exam

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes cultural relativism?

The tendency to view one's own culture as the standard

The belief that all cultures are superior to others

Understanding a culture on its own terms without judgment (correct)

Rejecting all cultural norms

Ethnocentrism promotes the idea that one's own culture is inferior to others.

False

What is the main purpose of socialization?

To teach individuals the norms, values, and behaviors necessary to function in society.

________ is a formal organization characterized by hierarchies and defined rules and regulations.

Bureaucracy Signup and view all the answers

Match the socialization agency with its primary function:

Families = Teach basic norms and values Schools = Provide formal education Peer groups = Influence social behavior among age mates Mass media = Disseminate cultural values and information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of coercive formal organizations?

Voluntary membership Signup and view all the answers

Personal space varies based on context and social situations.

True Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Milgram shock experiment in one sentence.

The Milgram shock experiment demonstrated that people are willing to obey authority figures even when it conflicts with their personal conscience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction between sex and gender?

Sex refers to biological differences, while gender refers to social norms. Signup and view all the answers

Alienation occurs when someone who produces goods cannot afford them.

True Signup and view all the answers

What do open and closed systems of stratification refer to?

The ability or inability for social mobility within a society. Signup and view all the answers

The _________ gap refers to the difference in earnings between men and women.

gender wage Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their definitions:

Pluralism = A pattern of interaction where multiple groups coexist without dominance Assimilation = The process of adopting the culture of another group Genocide = The deliberate and systematic destruction of a cultural or ethnic group Segregation = The enforced separation of groups based on race or ethnicity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a characteristic of global stratification?

It is characterized by the division of the world into rich and poor nations. Signup and view all the answers

The personal perception of racial identity is the same as systemic racism.

False Signup and view all the answers

What role do medical professionals play in defining health?

Medical professionals help to define the ideal state of health and advise behaviors to maintain it. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Final Exam - Study Notes

Exam Format:
- 4-5 short answer questions
- Only need to answer 3-4 questions
- One page per question, labeled accordingly
Example Question:
- Briefly explain cultural relativism and ethnocentrism.
- Provide 1 example each, showing how cultural relativism excuses bad behavior and the same for ethnocentrism.

Culture

Material and Non-Material Culture:
- Includes tangible objects and the ideas, values, and behaviors.
Norms, Mores, and Folkways:
- Norms are rules of behavior, mores are stricter norms, and folkways are less formal customs.
Subculture and Counterculture:
- Subcultures are groups with distinct values and behaviors within a larger culture.
- Countercultures oppose dominant cultural norms.
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism:
- Ethnocentrism is judging other cultures through the lens of one's own.
- Cultural relativism recognizes that different cultures have their own values.

Socialization

Agencies of Socialization:
- Families, schools, peer groups influence behavior and categorization.
- Media is a source of information and shapes views. Advertisers influence the media.
- Media reflects social values.

Social Constructs:
- Status (wealth, possessions) are examples of hierarchies with social symbols
- Social institutions (families, schools, etc) set standards and norms.
Institutions:
- Provide structure, teach members, and distribute resources for survival.
Social Interactions:
- Dramaturgy: front stage (public) and backstage (private) behavior.
- Nonverbal communication (tone, facial expression) plays a role.
- Personal space varies based on context (intimate, personal, social, public).

Groups and Organizations

Milgrim Experiment:
- Authority and obedience.
Formal Organizations:
- Normative, coercive, and utilitarian (based on goals).
Bureaucracy:
- Features: division of labor, rules, impersonality, hierarchy.
Government Structures:
- Welfare state types (conservative, social democratic, liberal)

Additional Topics (Page 2)

Social Stratification and Class:
- Society's categorization based on resource access.
- Hierarchical structure, layers, mobility (up or down).
- Open and closed systems.
- Alienation: unable to afford goods produced.
Sex and Gender:
- Sex (biological) vs. Gender (social roles)
- Binary system, gender roles and power, division of labor.
Gender Inequality:
- Quantitative measures (wage gap), societal expectations.
Global Stratification:
- Differences between wealthy and poor nations, US hegemony, issues with foreign aid.
- Levels of development approach, world systems theory
Race/Ethnicity:
- Racial identities, personal/perceived race, systemic racism, personal vs. systemic racism.
- Ethnicity (shared culture), racial identity (physical characteristics), racial interaction patterns (pluralism, assimilation, genocide, segregation).
Health:
- Difficulty in defining "health", ideal vs. actual states, the effect powerful groups have on defining health.

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Description

Prepare for your final exam with this comprehensive study guide on culture. This resource covers key concepts including material and non-material culture, norms, subcultures, and the differences between ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. Perfect for reviewing essential topics to excel in your exam.