Questions and Answers
What is culture?
What does culture include?
Material culture and non-material culture
How do sociologists approach culture?
They mainly focus on culture closer to home.
What is material culture?
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What is the purpose of material culture?
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Give an example of material culture.
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What is an example of the meaning of a cow?
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What is an example of the meaning of an apple?
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What is an example of the meaning of guns?
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What does non-material culture include?
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What are signs or symbols?
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What does color symbolism refer to?
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What is language?
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What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?
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What are gestures?
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What is body language?
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What are values?
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What are American values?
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What are norms?
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What are formal norms?
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What are informal norms?
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What is a folkway?
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Give an example of an American folkway.
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What are mores?
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What is a taboo?
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Give an example of a taboo.
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What are sanctions?
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What are beliefs?
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Give an example of a belief.
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Study Notes
Culture
- Represents the complete way of life for a group, encompassing learned behaviors and shared knowledge.
- Essential for knowledge transfer across generations.
Components of Culture
- Material Culture: Physical objects like clothing and technology that carry symbolic meanings.
- Non-material Culture: Includes rituals, customs, language, beliefs, and social norms.
Sociological Approach
- Emphasis on studying familiar cultures, often from within the same societal framework.
Material Culture
- Comprises physical items holding symbolic significance, influencing behaviors and societal perceptions.
Purpose and Examples of Material Culture
- Clothing exemplifies material culture by serving everyday needs and specific rituals (e.g., weddings).
- Cultural meanings of objects can vary significantly (e.g., cows as food, sacred animals, or for bull fighting).
Non-material Culture
- Encompasses beliefs, values, norms, and various forms of communication, including gestures and language.
Symbols and Language
- Signs or symbols visually represent concepts; color symbolism often relates to gender (e.g., pink for girls).
- Language acts as a communication system that shapes our perceptions of reality and influences thought processes (Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis).
Gestures and Body Language
- Gestures involve intentional movements like hand signs, whereas body language consists of subtle, often unintentional cues.
Values and Norms
- Values lay out cultural ideals regarding beauty, success, and behavior, dictating how individuals should conduct themselves.
- American values often prioritize individualism, material wealth, and competitiveness.
Types of Norms
- Formal Norms: Written rules or laws governing behavior.
- Informal Norms: Unspoken, socially understood guidelines learned through socialization.
- Folkways: Loosely enforced customs ensuring smooth societal interactions (e.g., appropriate attire at weddings).
- Mores: Strongly significant norms with serious consequences for violations, often linked to core values.
- Taboos: Profoundly ingrained norms causing revulsion if violated (e.g., incest, cannibalism).
Sanctions and Beliefs
- Sanctions are reactions to adherence or violation of norms, promoting social control through rewards or punishments.
- Beliefs reflect cultural viewpoints about societal functioning, often tied to the group's values and norms.
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Description
Test your knowledge of material and non-material culture in sociology. This quiz explores various aspects of culture, including definitions and elements that make it significant in different societies. Enhance your understanding of how culture shapes behaviors and beliefs.