Sociology Unit 3 Quiz 1 - Culture

Culture

shared beliefs, values, and practices

manmade

learned, not something we’re born with

different around the world

constantly changing

Material culture

physical objects that hold cultural value

clothing, art, buildings, food, money

nonmaterial culture

abstract and intangible parts of human culture

ideas, attitudes, beliefs, rules, family practices

Elements of culture

values, beliefs, norms/rules, language, symbols, arts, practices

values

a culture’s standard for discerning what is good and just in society

ex: respecting elders, family first, hierarchy, collectivist

beliefs

statements that people hold to be true, typically based on values

can be individual or collective

ex: American Dream, formal religion, death/afterlife, medicine and healing

norms and rules

the visible and invisible rules of conduct through which societies are structured

what actions and behaviors are acceptable?

ex: greetings (bows or waves), manners, personal space, shoes in the house

language

symbolic system of communication

one of the key ways culture is transmitted

regional variations

ex: idioms

symbols

gestures or objects that have meanings associated with them that are recognized by people who share a culture

ex: flags, peace sign, the cross

arts/artifacts

items that hold important information about a people or culture

ex: dance, arrowheads, pottery, food, clothes

practices and traditions

actions, activities, or steps carried out as part of a tradition, religious ceremony, or other rituals

ex: quinces

ethnocentrism

the judgement or evaluation of another cultures based on one’s own cultural norms

• judging behaviors and ideas of others

• imposing own standards where they may not apply

• think your way is the best and only right way

culture shock

sense of disorientation and frustration when exposed to a new culture different from one’s own

• what starts as excitement shifts into discomfort and doubt

factors contributing to culture shock

• ethnocentric views

• tendencies to stereotype

• little similarities with beliefs, values, norms, and attitudes

• misinterpretations of behaviors and intentions

• motivations for or traumas associated with new cultures

cultural relativism

assessing a culture by its own standards instead of viewing it through the lens of one’s own culture

cultural universals

patterns or traits that are globally common to all societies