IBSCA 9 Key Concepts

Belief + knowledge

a set of convictions, values, and viewpoints regarded as “the truth” + shared by members of a social group

ex: gender roles, tiktok speak

Change

the modification/alteration of social + cultural elements, ideas, values in a society as a result of internal dynamics, contact w another culture, or due to globalization

ex: religion, colonization, womens’ rights

Culture

organized + dynamic systems of symbols, ideas, beliefs, and customs that humans create + manipulate throughout their daily lives, and these are held among a society

(these ideas can be disputed between groups/individuals in a society)

ex: family, government structure

Identity

1) an individual’s private view of self 2) how an individual is viewed from the perspective of a social group (may be expressed through religion, ethnicity, and nationality)

Materiality

the cultural meaning behind objects, resources + possessions embedded in social relations and practices

ex: power reflected through money, money reflected through items

Power

a person/group’s ability to influence, manipulate, or control others/environment/resources + is essential to social relationships/groups (creates inequality/distinction)

ex: fake news, voting

Social relations

any relationship between 2/+ individuals within a network of relationships/groups; individual action + group expectations →form basis of social organization/structure

ex: countries’ relations, artifacts

Society

the way in which humans organize themselves in groups/networks + is created/sustained by social relationships → can also = group that exhibits some internal coherence

ex: family, school, workplace

Symbolism

the importance/significance that people attach to objects, actions, + processes → specific to the organization of culture

Community

a group of people who share a common interest, ecology/locality or social systems

Ethnicity

a social group connected by a shared/common understanding of cultural identity

Race

a socially constructed category of identifying people based on physical characteristics, ancestry, historical affiliation, or shared culture

Family

refers to a range of meanings covering relatedness/connection of people

may = domestic group/household or wider kinship group

Globalization

the increase of global interconnections and exchange in culture, economy and social life for the transmission/passing down of ideas and values around the world to extend/emphasize social relations

Ideology

system of social/moral ideas of a group of people (their commitment to central values)

Kinship

the web of social relationships which connects people mainly through decent/marital relations (marriage)

Nation-state

A bounded geographical area that is politically legitimate

state= political/geopolitical entity

nation= cultural entity

Reproduction

the transmission of existing cultural values/norms down generations

Personhood

culturally constructed concept of the “self” or the individual

Socialization

the process through which a person engages with agents (family, peers, media) and becomes an accepted member of society

Enculturation

the gradual acquisition of the values/norms of a culture (transmission of culture down generations)

Acculturation

cultural change as a result of contact with another culture