Sociology Packet 3

Culture

collection of values, beliefs, knowledge, norms, language, behaviors, and material objects shared by a people and socially transmitted from generation to generation

Socialization

the process through which people learn about their culture

Micro

Individuals

Mezzo

Norms within a school or organization

Macro

Beliefs of a larger society

Material Culture

the physical objects produced by people in a particular culture

Nonmaterial Culture

refers to the ideas of a culture, including values and beliefs, accumulated knowledge about how to understand and navigate the world, and standards or “norms” about appropriate behavior

Values

Deeply held principles or standards by which people make judgements about the world

Beliefs

Convictions or opinions that people accept as true

Knowledge

Information, Awareness, and Understanding that helps people navigate the world

Norms

Rules and expectations for “appropriate” behavior

Behaviors

The actions associated with a group that help reproduce a distinct way of life

Objects and Artifacts

The physical items that are created and associated with a culture

Symbols

Anything, a sound, gesture, an image, an object that represents something else

Language

an elaborate system of symbols that allows people to communicate with one another in complex ways

Dominant Culture

a culture that permeates the society and that represents the ideas and practices of those in positions of power

Subcultures

cultures associated with smaller groups in the society that have distinct norms, values, and lifestyles that set them apart from the dominant culture

Consumerism

a social and economic order that encourages the want of goods and services in increasing amounts

Youth Culture

societal norms of children, adolescents and young adults

Cultural Diversity

quality of diverse or different cultures

Dominant Culture

a culture that permeates the society and that represents the ideas and practices if those in a position of power

Subcultures

cultures associated with smaller groups in the society that have distinct norms, values, and lifestyles that set them apart from the dominant culture

Multiculturalism

the recognition, valuing and protection of the distinct cultures that make up a society

Assimilation

multicultural societies accept, accommodate and even celebrate differences in language, religion, customs, dress, traditions, and beliefs

Ethnocentrism

the judging of another culture by the standards of one’s own on the assumption that one’s own is superior