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Questions and Answers
What is the primary characteristic of retreatism in Merton's forms of deviance?
Which form of deviance involves using non-traditional methods to achieve socially acceptable goals?
What does social control primarily aim to achieve?
Which of the following best describes formal sanctions?
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According to Merton, which form of deviance rejects both cultural goals and the conventional means to achieve them?
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How does deviance affirm cultural values and norms?
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What is an informal sanction?
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What is one of the functions of deviance mentioned by Merton?
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What term describes the belief that one's culture is superior to other cultures?
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Which of the following is an example of a counter culture?
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What signifies a tangible or material culture?
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Which classification of norms involves written laws?
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What does cultural lag refer to?
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Which mode of acquiring culture involves imitation without context?
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Which type of conformity involves changing behavior to align with another person's beliefs fully?
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According to Strain Theory, what causes individuals to deviate from societal norms?
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What is cultural relativism?
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What is one of the elements of culture that serves as the 'storehouse' of culture?
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Study Notes
Culture
- Culture is collective beliefs, values, behavior, and material objects that shape a people's way of life.
- Tangible culture is physical and perceivable, while intangible culture includes customs, beliefs, and religion.
- High culture is associated with the privileged, while low culture is enjoyed by the masses.
- Popular culture influences trends widely, while subcultures maintain unique practices within the mainstream.
- Countercultures defy established norms.
Elements of Culture
- Symbols: Representational signs, objects, or actions with specific meanings.
- Language: The primary means of communication, storing and transmitting cultural knowledge.
- Values: Culturally defined standards that guide actions and judgments.
- Beliefs: Superstitions and non-scientific convictions that influence behavior.
Norms
- Social standards dictating behavior and interactions.
- Folkways: Everyday customs regarding politeness and etiquette.
- Mores: Moral norms based on written and unwritten laws, defining right and wrong.
- Taboos: Strongly condemned and prohibited practices.
- Laws: Formal, written regulations with defined sanctions.
Modes of Acquiring Culture
- Imitation: Learning by copying, often in a foreign environment.
- Conditioning: Acquiring culture through rewards or punishment.
- Indoctrination: Formal or informal learning, whether voluntary or involuntary.
Cultural Diversity
- Encompasses the range of human differences among various societies.
Cultural Homogenization
- The diminishing of cultural diversity, leading to uniformity.
Culture Lag
- The gap between technological advancements and cultural adjustments.
Culture Shock
- The disorientation individuals experience when encountering a different culture.
Ethnocentrism
- The belief that one's own culture is superior to others.
Xenocentrism
- Preferring other cultures over one's own.
Cultural Relativism
- The idea that cultures should be understood within their own contexts, avoiding judgment using universal standards.
Conformity
- Submitting to societal norms.
Types of Conformity
- Normative: Conforming due to peer pressure or social expectations.
- Compliance: Conforming outwardly while privately disagreeing.
- Informative: Conforming based on perceived accurate information.
- Internalization: Conforming due to genuine belief in the norm.
- Ingratiation: Conforming to impress or gain favor.
- Identification: Conforming to societal role expectations.
Sociology
- The study of society, examining social structures, behavior, and interactions.
Deviance:
- Behavior or appearance that deviates from social norms.
- Conceptions of deviance vary across time, place, and social groups.
- Not everyone who commits a deviant act is caught or punished.
- Deviant standards are influenced by location, age, social status, and society.
Theories on Deviance:
- Emile Durkheim: Viewed deviance as necessary for social order, highlighting the "anomie" of normlessness in modern societies.
- Strain Theory: Robert K. Merton theorized that deviance arises from individuals' inability to achieve cultural goals through legitimate means.
Forms of Deviance:
- Conformity: Pursuing goals through traditional means like education and hard work.
- Ritualism: Rejecting cultural goals but adhering to conventional means for stability.
- Retreatism: Withdrawing from society, accepting the status quo without striving for improvement.
- Innovation: Employing non-traditional methods to achieve socially acceptable goals.
- Rebellion: Rejecting both cultural goals and means, seeking to replace the existing social structure.
Social Control
- The systematic practices that promote conformity and discourage deviance.
- Enforces submission, obedience, and conformity.
Social Control of Deviance:
- Sanctions: Formal or informal penalties for noncompliance, or rewards for adherence.
- Informal Sanctions: Social pressure or disapproval, such as ridicule or rejection, to deter deviance.
- Formal Sanctions: Official penalties enforced by institutions, ranging from legal fines to imprisonment.
Functions of Deviance
- Affirms Cultural Values and Norms: Deviance highlights what is considered acceptable and unacceptable.
- Clarifies Moral Boundaries: Defining right and wrong through reactions to acts of deviance.
- Brings People Together: Joint condemnation of deviant behavior promotes solidarity.
- Encourages Social Change: Deviant acts challenge existing social norms, potentially leading to reform.
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Description
Explore the fundamental aspects of culture, including collective beliefs, tangible and intangible elements, and the distinctions between high and low culture. This quiz delves into symbols, language, values, beliefs, and social norms that shape human behavior and societies.
