Sociology Chapter 2 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Cultural lag refers to a situation in which elements of nonmaterial culture change, but elements of material culture do not.

False

What value does the scheduling of ceremonies to recognize talented student athletes and scholars illustrate?

achievement and success

All of the following statements are accurate in describing gestures, EXCEPT which one?

Gestures are universal. (correct)

Gestures are often misinterpreted.

Gestures are not significant in communication.

Gestures can vary significantly between cultures.

Without language, human culture would ________.

be little more advanced than lower primates Signup and view all the answers

In recent years, cultures have become more similar to each other as a result of travel and communication. Sociologists use the term '________' to describe this process.

cultural leveling Signup and view all the answers

Culture becomes the lens through which we perceive and evaluate what is going on around us.

True Signup and view all the answers

The spread of cultural characteristics from one group to another refers to ________.

cultural diffusion Signup and view all the answers

Culture wars not only identify differences in values and norms, but they may also result in violence and strife among members of the same society.

True Signup and view all the answers

Sociologists use the concept of 'norms' to describe ________.

expectations or rules of behavior that develop from values Signup and view all the answers

What do Courtney, Joe, and Rufus have in common?

They are all members of subcultures. Signup and view all the answers

Sociologists agree that human behavior has been bred into us through evolutionary principles.

False Signup and view all the answers

Today we can find out why we are sick online, but we still go to see a doctor. This is an example of ________.

cultural lag Signup and view all the answers

The concept that one's own group is the center of everything is aligned with ________.

ethnocentrism Signup and view all the answers

What does Ralph Linton's statement about culture imply?

Culture is taken for granted by members of society who share it. Signup and view all the answers

A group's way of thinking, including its beliefs and values, is classified as material culture.

False Signup and view all the answers

A person receiving a positive sanction would be expected to sustain their exhibited behavior.

True Signup and view all the answers

The anthropologist who gathered data on hundreds of groups and concluded customs differ was ________.

George Murdock Signup and view all the answers

Why is Spanish continuously spoken in America from generation to generation?

There is a constant influx of new Hispanic immigrants into the U.S. Signup and view all the answers

In his book Sick Societies, which concept is contrary to evaluating cultures on their 'quality of life'?

Cultural relativism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three values added to Williams' original list?

Equality Signup and view all the answers

Americans usually recognize hard work, education, and efficiency as desired qualities. This is an example of ________.

a value cluster Signup and view all the answers

The relationship between fundamentalist Christians and the gay/lesbian community can best be described as which concept?

Culture war Signup and view all the answers

Language, beliefs, values, norms, behavior, and technology that are passed from one generation to the next describe ________.

culture Signup and view all the answers

The author's description of the arrival of the Hmong in America illustrates that culture shock is experienced worldwide.

True Signup and view all the answers

Sociologists are now developing _________, which emphasizes the influence of genes on human behavior.

genetics-informed sociology Signup and view all the answers

Receiving the Medal of Honor and making the Dean's List are examples of ________.

positive sanctions Signup and view all the answers

When a group has a distinctive way of looking at life but reflects the dominant culture, it is considered a(n) ________.

subculture Signup and view all the answers

The sociologist who identified the core values of American society was ________.

Robin Williams Signup and view all the answers

Groups are more prone to change their material culture before their nonmaterial culture.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes examples of countercultures?

Chicago Cubs fans Signup and view all the answers

From a sociological perspective, which classification fits 19th century Mormons and 21st century physicians?

Mormons as counterculture, physicians as subculture Signup and view all the answers

What term best describes American society given the participation of diverse groups in the legislative process?

America is a pluralistic society. Signup and view all the answers

The behavior of professors not learning to use supplied computers is an example of ________.

cultural lag Signup and view all the answers

When the Mormons first established their settlement in Utah, they would have been classified as a counterculture because of their belief in polygyny.

True Signup and view all the answers

What do Harry, Harvey, and Horace have in common based on their choices?

They are expressing their own values in the choices they make. Signup and view all the answers

What statement best describes the probable behavior behind Clarisse and Cindy's actions during spring break?

Clarisse and Cindy considered themselves on a moral holiday. Signup and view all the answers

Who developed the concept of natural selection?

Charles Darwin Signup and view all the answers

The condition that characterizes the difference between ideal culture and real culture is best defined as what?

Cultural dissonance Signup and view all the answers

During Chanukah, what do Jewish families represent in terms of culture?

subculture Signup and view all the answers

The emerging tools and skills needed to use them are called ________.

new technology Signup and view all the answers

McDonald's selling Quarter Pounders globally is an example of ________.

cultural leveling Signup and view all the answers

Anthropologists Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf concluded that ________.

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

The core values reflected in the 'human potential' movement is ________.

self-fulfillment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a value cluster?

Physical fitness, self-fulfillment, youthfulness Signup and view all the answers

A person engaged in value contradiction professes a belief in freedom and equality while demonstrating racist behavior.

True Signup and view all the answers

The refusal of Christians to accept Islam is an example of what concept?

Ethnocentrism Signup and view all the answers

Symbols can be combined to communicate abstract thought. This is referred to as ________.

language Signup and view all the answers

The diverse culinary options available in Manhattan illustrate the process of ________.

cultural diffusion Signup and view all the answers

All of the following statements are accurate regarding language, EXCEPT which one?

Language is universal in meaning. Signup and view all the answers

Jewelry, art, hairstyles, and clothing each represent examples of ________.

material culture Signup and view all the answers

By definition, subcultures are a threat to the mainstream culture.

False Signup and view all the answers

Ethnocentrism has no redeeming qualities.

False Signup and view all the answers

There is nothing 'natural' about material or nonmaterial culture.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does the conflict between the gay community and parade trustees suggest?

Social change that brings attention to gay rights and eventual acceptance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic premise of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

Language determines our consciousness. Signup and view all the answers

Viewing bullfighting from its cultural history is an example of cultural relativism.

True Signup and view all the answers

The author's experience in Morocco left him with a profound sense of ________.

culture shock Signup and view all the answers

The automobile is an example of ________.

technology Signup and view all the answers

Harry's comments about the Vietnamese people illustrate what concept?

ethnocentrism Signup and view all the answers

Which term does NOT belong with the others: social learning, behavior modification, behavioral psychology?

Cognitive therapy Signup and view all the answers

If Alice came to class not wearing a blouse, she would be violating a ________.

more Signup and view all the answers

When referring to value contradiction, which statement best describes Lamont?

Lamont is engaged in value contradiction. Signup and view all the answers

Madagascar's cultural practice of famadihana is considered an inferior practice by Robert Edgerton.

False Signup and view all the answers

At the Back to Nature Nudist Colony, Ernie and Morello are conforming to the folkways of their subculture.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the emerging values in American society according to sociologists?

leisure, self-fulfillment, physical fitness, youthfulness, and environmental concern Signup and view all the answers

Animals that rely solely on instinct lack a ________.

cerebral cortex Signup and view all the answers

The term 'cultural lag' was coined by sociologist ________.

William Ogburn Signup and view all the answers

When on 'moral holiday,' norms are expected to be broken.

True Signup and view all the answers

What statement best applies to Kristina's experience regarding culture shock?

Kristina experienced culture shock. Signup and view all the answers

Which of Williams' U.S. values contradicts freedom, democracy, and equality?

Group superiority Signup and view all the answers

The two anthropologists who studied the Hopi Indians were ________.

Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf Signup and view all the answers

According to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, language serves merely as common sense expressed in words.

False Signup and view all the answers

Language allows culture to develop by freeing people to move beyond their immediate experiences.

True Signup and view all the answers

Good nutrition and medical care are classified by sociologist Robin Williams as ________.

material comfort Signup and view all the answers

Because America consists of many different groups, it is classified as a pluralistic society.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cultural Concepts

Cultural lag occurs when nonmaterial culture (norms, values) changes without corresponding changes in material culture (technology).
Cultural leveling refers to the process by which cultures become more similar due to globalization and communication.

Values in American Society

Achievement and success are core values recognized in American society, highlighting the importance placed on talent in schools and athletics.
The core values identified by sociologist Robin Williams include leisure, self-fulfillment, physical fitness, youthfulness, and environmental concern.

Norms and Behaviors

Norms are defined as expectations or rules of behavior derived from shared values, influencing social conduct.
A counterculture exists when a group rejects and opposes dominant cultural values.
The existence of subcultures reflects diversity within society, not necessarily threatening the mainstream culture.

Language and Communication

Language shapes thought processes, as expressed in the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggesting that language influence perceptions and behaviors.
Symbols in language can be combined in various ways to communicate complex ideas and emotions.

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Ethnocentrism is characterized by judging other cultures based on one's own cultural standards, often leading to a sense of superiority.
Cultural relativism promotes understanding and acceptance of different cultural practices without judgment.

Cultural conflicts, such as debates surrounding same-sex marriage among fundamentalist Christians and the LGBTQ+ community, highlight differing values within society.
Social change often arises from conflicts in values, leading to greater awareness and acceptance of diverse groups.

Cultural Practices and Shock

Cultural practices, such as Madagascar's famadihana (dancing with the dead), reflect unique expressions of a community and are not necessarily inferior.
Culture shock is the disorientation experienced when encountering unfamiliar cultural practices, often leading to reevaluation of one's own cultural beliefs.

Relationships Between Values

A value cluster occurs when related values, such as hard work, education, and efficiency, are interlinked and reinforce one another.
Conflicting values can lead to contradictions in individual beliefs and societal expectations, illustrating complexities in human behavior.

Technology and Society

New technology significantly impacts social interaction and cultural practices, necessitating adaptation in behavior and norms.
Cultural diffusion is observed when cultural elements, such as cuisine or fashion, are shared across different societies, enhancing cultural diversity.

Assessment of Cultures

Cultures can be assessed not just through acceptance but by evaluating their impact on quality of life, challenging the notion of cultural relativism.
Recognition of pluralism in society acknowledges the coexistence of various cultural groups and promotes inclusivity.

Emotional and Psychological Dimensions

Experiencing a sense of 'moral holiday' indicates periods when individuals feel free to break societal norms, often leading to contrasting behaviors with their usual conduct.

These points outline fundamental concepts in sociology regarding culture, values, norms, and their implications on social behavior and interactions.

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Test your knowledge of key concepts in Sociology Chapter 2 with these flashcards. Explore terms like cultural lag and the values recognized in American high schools. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of sociological principles.