Sociology Culture Flashcards

Core Concepts of Culture

• Core Values: Central values that form the basis of a group's identity.
• Counterculture: Groups opposing mainstream cultural values and beliefs.
• Cultural Diffusion: The dissemination of cultural traits between groups.

Cultural Dynamics

• Cultural Lag: A term by William Ogburn highlighting the disconnect between rapid technological change and societal adaptation.
• Cultural Leveling: The process through which cultures become more similar, often influenced by Western industrial practices.
• Cultural Relativism: An approach that emphasizes understanding cultures on their own terms rather than through comparison with one’s own culture.

Cultural Traits and Characteristics

• Cultural Universal: Traits or norms common across all cultures.
• Culture: Encompasses language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects transmitted through generations.

Cultural Experiences

• Culture Shock: A state of confusion experienced when encountering a new culture that differs significantly from one's own.
• Ethnocentrism: Evaluating other cultures based on the standards of one's own culture, often leading to biased judgments.

Norms and Sanctions

• Folkways: Informal norms that are not strictly enforced.
• Gestures: Body language used for non-verbal communication.
• Ideal Culture: Aspirational values and norms expected within a society.
• Material Culture: Physical objects representing a culture, such as art and tools.
• Mores: Strongly enforced norms vital to a society's core values.
• Negative Sanction: Disapproval for norm violations, ranging from mild reactions to severe penalties.
• Positive Sanction: Rewards for conforming to norms, from simple acknowledgments to formal prizes.

Sociocultural Frameworks

• New Technology: Emerging technologies significantly affecting social life.
• Nonmaterial Culture: Collective beliefs, values, and behaviors of a group.
• Norms: Expected behaviors that guide society and promote order.
• Pluralistic Society: A diverse society composed of various cultural groups.

Cultural Realities and Variations

• Real Culture: Actual norms and values observed in practice.
• Sanctions: Reactions to conformity or non-conformity regarding societal norms.
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: The idea that language shapes thought and perception.
• Sociobiology: The notion that human behavior is influenced by biological factors and natural selection.
• Subculture: Distinct cultural groups within a larger culture, possessing unique values and practices.
• Symbol: Objects or concepts imbued with meaning used for communication.
• Symbolic Culture: Another term for nonmaterial culture, emphasizing shared meanings.
• Taboo: A norm eliciting strong feelings of disgust when violated.

Technology's Role in Culture

• Technology: Involves tools and skills shaping human interaction and cultural development.

Explore key concepts related to culture in sociology with these flashcards. Learn about core values, counterculture, and cultural diffusion, essential for understanding cultural dynamics. This quiz will help reinforce your knowledge and prepare you for further studies in sociology.