Cultural Variation and Social Difference

Flashcards covering definitions of culture, social differences, gender identities, and socioeconomic classifications based on the lecture notes.

Culture

The set of learned behaviors and beliefs that characterize a society or a people group, including tangible and intangible institutions, beliefs, and attitudes.

World Population (August 9, 2024)

$$7.8 \text{ billion}$$

Cultural Variations

The rich diversity in social practices that different cultures exhibit around the world.

Hijab

An Arabic word for veil; it commonly covers the head and chest but leaves the face clear.

Chador

A full-body cloak worn outside the house, often with a smaller scarf underneath.

Niqab

A veil for the face that leaves the area around the eyes clear.

Burqa

The most concealing Islamic veil, covering the entire face and body with only a mesh screen to see through.

Social Differences

Situations where people are discriminated against on the basis of social, economic, and racial inequality.

Nationality

The identity tied to being part of a nation or country, shared by a group with the same history, traditions, and language inhabiting a particular territory.

Naturalization

The process of legal applications through which an individual can acquire a new nationality.

Ethnic groups

Smaller cultural groups that share specific environments, traditions, and histories not necessarily followed by the mainstream culture.

Gender

Socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women, per the World Health Organization (2013).

Sex

The biological characteristics of humans, such as male or female.

Heterosexual

Being sexually attracted to a person of the opposite sex.

Homosexual

Being sexually attracted to a person of the same sex.

Gay

A male who is romantically and sexually attracted to another male.

Lesbian

A female who is romantically and sexually attracted to another female.

Bisexual

Individuals who are attracted to both sexes.

Asexual

Individuals totally incapable of being attracted to any sex.

Polysexual

Individuals who are attracted to multiple types of gender.

Pansexual

Individuals who accommodate all types of gender.

Transgender

People whose gender identities do not match their biological identity as male or female.

Transsexual

Individuals who believe medical sexual reassignment can address the discord between their internal gender and their performed gender role.

Global North

Refers to the political and economically advanced societies in the world.

Global South

Refers to countries whose political and economic indicators are within the developing country category.

Elite (UK Social Class)

The wealthiest and most privileged group in the UK, often privately educated and characterized by high economic, cultural, and social capital.

Established middle class

The most gregarious and second wealthiest UK class group, working in traditional professions with high levels of all three capitals.

Technical middle class

A small, prosperous new class group with high economic capital that works in science and tech and prefers emerging culture.

New affluent workers

Economically secure individuals with medium wealth levels and high cultural and social capital, often from working-class backgrounds.

Traditional working class

A group with the oldest average age scoring low on economic, cultural, and social capital, though they are not the poorest group.

Emergent service workers

Young urban residents with low economic capital but high levels of 'emergent' cultural and social capital.

Precariat

The poorest and most deprived social group in Britain, characterized by low levels of economic, cultural, and social capital.

Political Identity

The set of attitudes and practices an individual adheres to in relation to the political systems and actors within their society.

Christianity (Global Population)

$$31.0\%$$

Islam (Global Population)

$$23.8\%$$