Questions and Answers
Compare and contrast subcultures and countercultures. Provide an example of each.
A counterculture reacts against the norms of a culture and its values contrast sharply with mainstream society, such as the Amish. A subculture distinguishes itself from the main culture, like Mexican Americans.
Structural-functional theorists believe that cultural groups struggle to make their own cultural ways dominant in their society.
True
Culture is adaptive.
True
Elisa most likely lives in a(n) ______.
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Antigovernment 'patriot' groups would be categorized as subcultures.
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Study Notes
Subcultures and Countercultures
- A counterculture actively opposes and reacts against dominant societal norms and values, creating a stark contrast with mainstream culture.
- Example of a counterculture: the Amish, who adopt distinct lifestyles and values that differ significantly from broader societal practices.
- A subculture is a group that differentiates itself from the main culture, often embracing its own unique characteristics while still coexisting within the larger culture.
- Example of a subculture: Mexican Americans, who maintain cultural practices that distinguish them but are still part of the American society.
- While both subcultures and countercultures can function at the meso level, countercultures fundamentally reject the mainstream, unlike subcultures.
Structural-Functionalism
- Structural-functional theorists assert that cultural groups strive to establish their own cultural norms as dominant within society.
Cultural Adaptability
- Culture is inherently adaptive, allowing societies to adjust and evolve according to changing circumstances and environments.
Types of Societies
- Individuals like Elisa, who engage in gardening and child-rearing within a small seminomadic community, are typically part of herding societies, which blend agricultural and nomadic practices.
Misclassification of Groups
- Antigovernment "patriot" groups do not fit the classification of subcultures; they may align more closely with countercultural movements or extremist ideologies.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the key concepts of subcultures and countercultures in sociology. It compares and contrasts these concepts and provides examples for better understanding. Test your knowledge of how these cultural groups function within society.
