Understanding Culture and Society (Chapter 3 Textbook)

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to culture, subcultures, norms, and the dynamics of social life, providing an essential review for understanding sociological perspectives.

Culture

The entire way of life of a group of people, including language, gestures, style of dress, customs, and beliefs.

Ethnocentrism

The principle of using one's own culture as a means or standard to evaluate another culture, often leading to viewing other cultures as abnormal or inferior.

Cultural Relativism

The practice of understanding a culture on its own terms without judging it by the standards of another culture.

Subculture

A social group within the larger culture that has its own distinct values, norms, and lifestyle.

Counterculture

A group within society that openly rejects or actively opposes the dominant norms and values.

Ideal Culture

The norms, values, and practices that a society aspires to uphold.

Real Culture

The actual patterns of behavior and beliefs that exist in a society, which may differ from the ideal culture.

Cultural Hegemony

The dominance of a specific culture over others, particularly when the values of the dominant culture are accepted as the norm.

Material Culture

Physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture.

Nonmaterial Culture

The ideas, beliefs, values, and norms that shape a society's behaviors and practices.

Folkways

The ordinary conventions of everyday life that ensure smooth social interactions.

Mores

Norms that carry moral significance and are closely related to core values of a culture.

Taboo

A norm ingrained so deeply that the thought of violating it evokes horror or disgust.

Sanctions

Reactions to the ways that people follow or disobey norms, including rewards for conformity and punishments for violations.

Cultural Change

The transformation of cultural elements, which can occur gradually or rapidly.

Cultural Diffusion

The spreading of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another.

Cultural Imperialism

The imposition of one culture's beliefs and practices on another culture through media and consumer products.

Globalization

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or operate on an international scale.

Social Control

The mechanisms, strategies, and techniques employed to maintain order and regulate behavior within a society.