Sociology Lecture 3: Folkways

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of social norms?

To encourage rebellion against society

To eliminate all social rules

To create laws

To set expectations and help individuals navigate life situations (correct)

What is moral reframing?

Framing problems and actions in ways that resonate with cultural values and beliefs.

Which of the following is NOT a function of ideology?

Creates a group identity

Attracts attention to certain issues

Eliminates all social problems (correct)

Gives a sense of control in crises

What does the diagnostic function of ideology do?

Attributes current problems to an outgroup and defines that outgroup. Signup and view all the answers

In times of crisis, ideologies help people feel better by giving them a sense of ______.

control and security Signup and view all the answers

What are folkways?

Customs or conventions of daily life Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a folkway?

Waiting in line Signup and view all the answers

Mores are less strictly enforced than folkways.

False Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens when someone violates a more?

Disapproval or ostracism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes culture?

Beliefs and behaviors of a group Signup and view all the answers

What refers to a group of people that has lived and worked together long enough to be considered a social unit?

Society Signup and view all the answers

What is ethnocentrism?

The belief that one's culture is superior to others. Signup and view all the answers

What could be an example of xenophobia?

Judging another culture as inferior Signup and view all the answers

What does cultural relativism involve?

Judging a culture by its own standards. Signup and view all the answers

Xenophobia and cultural relativism promote understanding and acceptance of different cultures.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to culture with their definitions:

Cultural Capital = Assets that provide social mobility Material Culture = Tangible objects created by a group Non-Material Culture = Ideas and beliefs about culture Subculture = Distinctive practices differing from mainstream culture Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a counterculture.

The hippie movement of the 1960s-70s Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common example of a culture war topic?

Climate change Signup and view all the answers

Define norms.

Rules and expectations guiding behavior in society. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Folkways

Folkways are customs and conventions of daily life, a type of social norm.
They establish social expectations for behavior, distinguishing between polite and rude actions.
Violations of folkways lead to mild reactions, like bad impressions, rather than severe consequences.

Examples of Folkways

Common folkways include shaking hands, proper dress codes, and waiting in line.
Raising a hand to speak in a group and "civil inattention" are also examples of folkways.
Sanctions against violating folkways are generally less severe compared to mores.

Mores represent stricter social norms that dictate moral and ethical behaviors.
Violations of mores usually lead to strong disapproval or ostracism, significantly influencing societal values.

Examples of Mores

Religious doctrines often embody mores; for instance, prohibitions against cohabitation before marriage.
Violating mores can result in severe social punishments like shunning or threats of moral judgment.

Culture

Culture encompasses shared beliefs, behaviors, values, norms, and objects within a group.
It helps define group identity and societal contribution through language, institutions, and customs.

Society

A society consists of individuals who have organized into a group aware of their shared identity and social structure.

Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s culture is superior to others.
It leads to biased judgments of other cultures based on one's own cultural values.

Examples of Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism can manifest in negative behaviors, such as terrorism or hate crimes, when one community views itself as superior.
Media portrayals, like in "The Big Fat Greek Wedding" or "The Godfather," often reflect ethnocentric attitudes.

Xenophobia

Xenophobia relates to the fear and prejudice against people perceived as foreign or different.
It often intersects with racism, leading to discrimination and hate crimes against minority groups.

Examples of Xenophobia

Japanese Americans faced internment during WWII due to xenophobic fears rather than evidence of disloyalty.
"No-No Boys" resisted military service as a protest against civil rights violations during this period.

Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism emphasizes understanding cultures by their own standards without judgment.
It encourages the appreciation of diverse cultural practices within their respective contexts.

Examples of Cultural Relativism

Attitudes towards nudity vary globally; in some cultures, it is normalized, while in others, it is viewed as sexual.

Material Culture

Material culture comprises the tangible objects and artifacts created by a society.
It includes items like housing, clothing, technology, and tools that define cultural identity.

Examples of Material Culture

Physical environments, such as neighborhoods and schools, shape behaviors and perceptions within a culture.
Jewelry can indicate social status, varying in meaning across different cultures.

Non-Material Culture

Non-material culture includes ideas, beliefs, values, and norms that govern a society’s behavior.
Important components are symbols and language that help shape individual and societal thought processes.

Examples of Non-Material Culture

Standards of beauty differ globally; perceptions of thinness vary dramatically between cultures, as exemplified by American and Ghanaian values.

Dominant Ideology

Dominant ideology refers to the set of beliefs upheld by those in power to maintain their authority over the working class.
Marx theorized that this ideology promotes acceptance and conformity among the working class, inhibiting dissent.

Examples of Dominant Ideology

Accepted ideologies include democracy, human rights, and science as truth, although they can shift over time and vary by context.

Subculture

A subculture consists of groups with distinct values and behaviors differing from the broader society.
Sociologists study subcultures to better understand the dynamics of cultural interactions.

Examples of Subcultures

Subcultures in the U.S. may include groups like hippies, Goths, and various music fans, each with unique practices and beliefs.

Counterculture

Counterculture actively rejects and opposes core values of the dominant culture.
Movements like the 1960s hippie movement exemplified such opposition through advocacy for social changes.

Cultural Capital

Cultural capital embodies the skills, knowledge, and cultural competencies that facilitate social mobility.
It is categorized into institutionalized, embodied, and objectified forms, impacting individual success in society.

Examples of Cultural Capital

Several NBA players leveraged their unique backgrounds and personal qualities, illustrating how embodied cultural capital can influence success.

Culture Shock

Culture shock refers to feelings of disorientation upon encountering unfamiliar cultural norms.
Common experiences of culture shock occur when individuals study abroad or immigrate to new countries.

Culture War

Culture wars arise when core societal values face opposition, often from traditionalists who view change as a threat.
Current issues fuelling culture wars include debates on gay rights and climate change.

Examples of Culture War Issues

Significant topics in culture wars include abortion, sex education, and the separation of church and state.

Norms

Norms shape expected societal behaviors, reflecting and enforcing collective societal values.
They serve practical purposes by guiding interactions and behaviors within specific contexts.

Examples of Norms

Social norms help navigate various life situations and set expectations for personal milestones like marriage and family.

Moral Reframing

Moral reframing describes how ideology shapes perspectives on scientific issues, influencing public understanding.
It suggests that aligning communication with cultural values fosters greater acceptance of actions related to societal problems.

Functions of Ideologies

Ideologies raise awareness about issues, provide diagnostic functions attributing problems to outgroups, and create group identity among members.

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts introduced in Sociology Lecture 3, focusing specifically on folkways and their role as social norms. It explores the differences between folkways and mores, examining how these norms influence behavior in daily life.