Defining Culture and Society – Vocabulary Review

These vocabulary flashcards cover the essential terms and concepts from the lecture on society, culture, aspects of culture, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, and cultural threats.

Society

An organized group of people who share a common territory, language, and culture and act together for collective survival and well-being.

Agrarian Society

A society centered on traditional farming, land ownership, and a division of labor oriented toward agriculture.

Hunting-and-Gathering Society

A mobile community that survives by hunting animals and foraging plants, with little or no knowledge of agriculture.

Industrial Society

A society driven by technology and machinery that enables mass production and extensive division of labor.

Culture

The way of life of a group—its behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols—passed from generation to generation.

Custom

A widely accepted, traditional way of behaving that is specific to a society, location, or time period.

Tradition

A practice or belief handed down through generations and observed by the majority in a culture.

Music (as Culture)

Sound and rhythm patterns that reflect a culture’s values, social issues, and identity during gatherings and rituals.

Fashion (as Culture)

Clothing and adornment that signal cultural identity, power, and respect for traditional meanings and symbols.

Art (Philippine Traditional)

Folk architecture, weaving, carving, performance, literature, pottery, and other expressions of Filipino heritage.

Language (Cultural Role)

The primary means through which people communicate, build relationships, and create a shared community identity.

Cultural Belief

A learned and shared conviction within a group, shaped by cultural knowledge and individual competence.

Artifact

Any human-made object—art, tools, clothing—used by scholars to learn about a culture’s past and practices.

Dynamic Culture

A culture that continually changes in response to new situations, technologies, and ideas.

Flexible Culture

A culture that can adjust its norms and practices to accommodate change and innovation.

Adaptive Culture

A culture that evolves to meet new environmental, technological, or social demands.

Shared Culture

Cultural elements learned and transmitted collectively, creating a sense of belonging among members.

Contested Culture

Cultural meanings and practices that are debated or negotiated because of internal diversity.

Socialization

The broad process by which individuals learn to function in society and internalize its norms and values.

Enculturation

The specific process of acquiring the values, behaviors, and beliefs of one’s own culture.

Patterned Social Interaction

Predictable, repeated ways individuals interact within a cultural group (e.g., greetings, turn-taking).

Integrated Culture

A culture whose various aspects are interconnected, so change in one area affects others.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own culture is superior, leading to judging others by one’s own standards.

Cultural Relativism

The principle of understanding cultures based on their own values rather than judging them by external standards.

Reality (Social Construction)

People’s perception of what is ‘real’ or ‘normal,’ shaped by cultural and social agreements.

Collectivism

A value system that prioritizes group goals, harmony, and community over individual desires.

Popular Culture

Mainstream cultural forms such as music, fashion, and social-media trends widely consumed by the public.

High Culture

Elite cultural products like classical art, literature, and music considered of high aesthetic value.

Folk Culture

Traditional practices, dances, and festivals passed through generations within a community.

Globalization (Cultural Impact)

The spread of global brands and practices that create a uniform culture and can displace local traditions.

Colonial Mentality

Preference for foreign goods and ideals over local ones, leading to diminished pride in native heritage.

Urbanization (Cultural Effect)

Migration to cities that can weaken connections to rural traditions and cultural roots.

Media Influence

The power of mainstream and social media to promote trends that may overshadow local culture.

Cultural Identity

A person's sense of belonging to a cultural group, providing pride, purpose, and connection.

Heritage Education

Curriculum and programs that teach local history, literature, and arts to preserve cultural roots.

Indigenous Community Support

Actions that recognize, respect, and include indigenous voices, crafts, and ancestral lands.

Cultural Adaptation

Learning new languages or customs to fit into a different cultural environment.

Transmission of Culture

Passing cultural knowledge through socialization agents like family, school, media, and religion.

Communication (Cultural Requirement)

The use of language and other symbols to share culture across generations.

Verbal Communication

Spoken or written language used to convey cultural knowledge and values.

Non-Verbal Communication

Facial expressions, body language, and eye contact that also transmit cultural meaning.

Visual Communication

Use of images, symbols, or media to convey cultural messages.

Active Listening

An interactive communication skill involving attention and feedback, vital for cross-cultural understanding.

Cross-Cultural Communication

Exchange of information between people of different cultural backgrounds, requiring awareness of norms.

Cultural Threat

Any force (e.g., globalization, media, colonial mentality) that endangers local traditions and values.

Cultural Preservation

Efforts to protect, maintain, and revitalize cultural practices, languages, and identities.