Questions and Answers
What is culture?
What does material culture include?
All the physical things that people create and attach meaning to
What is nonmaterial culture?
Intangible things created and shared among members of a culture
A country with designated borders is known as a ______.
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What is a society?
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Which of these are elements of every culture? (Select all that apply)
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What are folkways?
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What are mores?
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What is a subculture?
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What characterizes high culture?
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What defines popular culture?
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What is counterculture?
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What is ideal culture?
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What does real culture refer to?
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What is ethnocentrism?
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What is cultural relativism?
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What does structural-functional theory propose about culture?
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What does social conflict theory suggest about culture?
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What is sociobiology's perspective on culture?
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What is socialization?
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Study Notes
Culture and Its Components
- Culture encompasses language, norms, values, beliefs, and practices that define a people's way of life.
- Material culture refers to tangible objects created and valued by a society, such as clothing, tools, and architecture, while natural objects are not included unless they are viewed through a cultural lens.
- Nonmaterial culture consists of intangible elements like social roles, ethics, and shared beliefs over time.
Society and Nation
- A nation is defined by specific geographic borders (e.g., United States, China).
- Society represents a population where individuals interact and share mutual interests.
Elements and Norms of Culture
- Key cultural elements include:
- Symbols (e.g., the American flag)
- Language (spoken, body language, and unique slang)
- Values (standards of goodness; ex: competition in U.S. culture)
- Norms (expected behaviors; e.g., queueing in line)
Types of Norms
- Folkways are expected but not severely enforced norms, such as social courtesies.
- Mores represent strong moral norms; violations are significant (e.g., prohibitions against murder or incest).
Subcultures and Their Dynamics
- Subcultures exist within a larger culture (e.g., Amish, hippies, bikers).
- High culture is associated with elite groups, while popular culture is shared by the majority.
- Counterculture actively rejects dominant societal norms (e.g., polygamists, racists).
Cultural Ideals vs. Practices
- Ideal culture symbolizes professed values and norms (e.g., Americans valuing environmentalism).
- Real culture reflects actual practices, highlighting inconsistencies (e.g., environmental harms despite stated values).
Perspectives on Culture
- Ethnocentrism involves believing one's culture is superior to others (e.g., viewing American culture as positive compared to other cultures).
- Cultural relativism promotes understanding a culture from its own context rather than an outsider's view.
Theoretical Approaches to Culture
- Structural-functional theory views culture as a means to meet human needs, providing meaning and facilitating social cooperation. Universally practiced elements, like funeral rituals, exist across cultures.
- Social conflict theory argues that cultural laws and norms favor the powerful, resulting in inequalities (e.g., capitalism benefiting the rich).
- Sociobiology suggests cultural behaviors arise from human instincts rooted in biology, supporting cultural universals (e.g., avoidance of incest).
The Process of Socialization
- Socialization is a lifelong process where individuals learn and internalize their culture, including norms and values.
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Description
Test your understanding of key concepts in Sociology Chapters 3 and 4. This quiz focuses on the definitions of essential terms like culture and material culture, enriching your knowledge about the social aspects of life. Perfect for students looking to solidify their comprehension of cultural components.