Cultural Studies I - Culture Definitions and Forms

Flashcards covering key concepts and definitions from the lecture on Cultural Studies and the various definitions and forms of culture.

Culture

The learned and shared patterns of behaviors, beliefs, values, and artifacts that characterize a group.

High Culture

Cultural products and practices that are associated with the fine arts and high socioeconomic status.

Low Culture (Popular Culture)

Widely available cultural products and practices enjoyed by the general population, such as television and music.

Subculture

A cultural group within a larger culture that differs in beliefs and practices from the broader culture.

Counterculture

Cultural groups that actively reject and oppose the dominant culture's values and norms.

Dominant Culture

The culture of the majority that exerts power and influence over other cultural groups.

Marginalized Culture

Cultural groups that exist within a larger culture but have less power and are often subject to inequalities.

Cultural Relativism

Judging a culture based on its own standards rather than comparing it to another culture.

Ethnocentrism

Viewing the world primarily from the perspective of one's own culture, often leading to a belief in its superiority.

Hegemony

A concept developed by Antonio Gramsci, referring to the dominant group's ability to maintain power through cultural influence.

Cultural Representation

The depiction of cultural groups within media, which reflects the power dynamics and interests of certain social groups.

Resistance

The use of culture by subordinate groups as a means to challenge dominant ideologies and assert alternative identities.

Identity Formation

The process through which culture provides resources for individuals to construct their identities.

Cultural Schemas

Mental frameworks shaped by cultural backgrounds that help individuals understand and interpret social information.

Intercultural Competence

The skills and attitudes necessary for effectively communicating and interacting with individuals from different cultural backgrounds.

Cultural Value

A question of social construction influenced by power dynamics, rather than a matter of inherent quality.

Cultural Norms

Rules of behavior derived from culture that guide how individuals interact within their social environments.