Sociology Chapter 2 - Culture Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is culture shock?

Judging a culture based on your own

A process by which cultures become similar

An expression of disapproval for a norm

Disorientation from encountering a different culture (correct)

What does cultural leveling refer to?

Not judging a culture

Expressions of approval for upholding norms

The process by which cultures differ

Cultures becoming similar to one another (correct)

What is cultural relativism?

Not judging a culture but trying to understand it on its own terms

Define ethnocentrism.

The use of one's own culture as a yardstick for judging other cultures Signup and view all the answers

What are folkways?

Norms that are not strictly enforced Signup and view all the answers

What are gestures?

The ways in which people use their bodies to communicate Signup and view all the answers

What does ideal culture refer to?

A people's ideal values and norms Signup and view all the answers

Define language.

A system of symbols used for communication Signup and view all the answers

What are mores?

Norms that are strictly enforced Signup and view all the answers

What is material culture?

The material objects that distinguish a group of people Signup and view all the answers

Define negative sanction.

An expression of disapproval for breaking a norm Signup and view all the answers

What is new technology?

Emerging technologies that impact social life Signup and view all the answers

What is nonmaterial culture?

A group's ways of thinking and doing Signup and view all the answers

What are norms?

Expectations of 'right' behavior Signup and view all the answers

Define pluralistic society.

A society made up of many different groups Signup and view all the answers

What is a positive sanction?

A reward for following norms Signup and view all the answers

What is real culture?

The norms and values that people actually follow Signup and view all the answers

Define subculture.

Values and related behaviors that distinguish a group Signup and view all the answers

What is symbolic culture?

Another term for nonmaterial culture Signup and view all the answers

What is a symbol?

Something to which people attach meaning Signup and view all the answers

What does the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggest?

Language creates ways of thinking and perceiving Signup and view all the answers

What are sanctions?

Expressions of approval or disapproval for norms Signup and view all the answers

Define sociobiology.

A framework considering behavior as a result of natural selection Signup and view all the answers

What is a taboo?

A norm so strong it brings extreme sanctions if violated Signup and view all the answers

What is a value cluster?

Values that together form a large whole Signup and view all the answers

Define values.

Standards by which people define what is desirable or undesirable Signup and view all the answers

What is value contradiction?

Values that contradict one another Signup and view all the answers

What is counterculture?

A group opposing broader cultural values Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Culture Concepts in Sociology

Culture Shock: Disorientation experienced when encountering a fundamentally different culture, disrupting familiar assumptions about life.
Cultural Leveling: Process leading to increased similarity among cultures, driven by the global diffusion of Western culture.
Cultural Relativism: Approach of understanding a culture based on its own values and beliefs without imposing external judgments.
Ethnocentrism: Evaluating other cultures based on one's own cultural standards, often leading to negative assessments of different values and behaviors.

Norms and Communication

Folkways: Informal norms that dictate acceptable behavior but are not strictly enforced.
Mores: Strictly enforced norms crucial to a group's core values and well-being.
Gestures: Non-verbal communication methods where body movements convey meaning.
Norms: Social expectations regarding "right" behavior.

Cultural Components

Ideal Culture: Aspirational values and goals of a society, representing the standards that a group aims to uphold.
Real Culture: Actual behavior and norms followed by people, which may differ from ideal culture.
Material Culture: Physical objects representative of a culture, including art, architecture, and everyday items.
Nonmaterial Culture: Symbolic aspects such as beliefs, values, and behaviors of a group, including language and customs.
Symbolic Culture: Another term for nonmaterial culture, highlighting its representational aspects.
Symbols: Objects, gestures, or words that carry specific meanings and facilitate communication.

Sanctions: Reactions—positive or negative—aimed at enforcing norms through rewards or punishments.
Negative Sanction: Disapproval expressed for norm violations, which can range from informal reactions to severe consequences.
Positive Sanction: Praise or reward granted for adherence to social norms.
Pluralistic Society: A society characterized by diverse groups with varying cultural backgrounds and practices.

Cultural Conflicts and Theories

Value Cluster: Groups of interrelated values that collectively form a broader cultural perspective.
Value Contradiction: Existence of conflicting values within a culture, where adherence to one may oppose another.
Counterculture: A cultural group that actively opposes and rejects the dominant societal values and norms.
Taboo: An extremely strong norm that elicits outrage and severe sanctions if violated.
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Theory positing that language shapes thought processes and perception of reality.
Sociobiology: Framework suggesting human behavior is influenced by biological and evolutionary factors, linking social behavior to natural selection.

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Test your knowledge of key terms from Sociology Chapter 2, focusing on important concepts like 'Culture Shock' and 'Cultural Leveling'. These flashcards will help you understand the dynamics of culture and its impact on society. Perfect for quick review and memorization.