Culture and Religion

Cultural relativism

Opposes enthocentlrism.

3 Levels of Culture

Concrete, Behavioral, Symbolic

The Concrete

Visible, tangible level of culture. (clothes, music, food)

The behavioral

Social roles, language(s), family structure, nonverbal communication.

The Symbolic

Values and beliefs.

Race

Socially constructed subgrouping based on shared physical traits. (Black, White, Asian)

Ethnicity

Social subgrouping based on culture, religion, geographic origin. (Japanese, Hispanic, Punjabi)

Culture

Socially created to define group of people who share beliefs, values, and attitudes.

Enthocentlrism

Assuming your culture is the best/the standard

Assimilation

Process of replacing cultural values with those of the dominant culture

Acculturation

Process of blending both “old” and “new” cultures.

Americanization

Process of assimilating to american character and customs.

Religiosity

Belief and worship of a sacred aspect of life.

Spirituality

Broader concept of individualistic inner relfection/relation to sacred aspects of life.

Unconditional experimentation

Exposing yourself to partner’s religious practices to reach a greater understanding.

Intersectionality

Interaction and overlap of a person’s identity and the unique marginalization that shapes them.