The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology- Chapter 3

Culture

the entire way of life of a group of people (including both material and symbolic elements) that acts as a lens through which one views the world and is passed from one generation to the next

Ethnocentrism

the principle of using one's own culture as a means or standard by which to evaluate another group or individual, leading to the view that cultures other than one's own are abnormal or inferior

Cultural Relativism

the principle of understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging or evaluating according to one's own culture

Material Culture

the objects associated with a cultural group, such as tools, machines, utensils, buildings, and artwork; any physical object to which we give social meaning

Symbolic Culture

the ideas associated with a cultural group, including ways of thinking (beliefs, values, and assumptions) and ways of behaving (norms, interactions, and communication)

Sign

a symbol that stands for or conveys an idea

Gestures

the way in which people use their bodies to communicate without words; actions that have symbolic meaning

Language

a system of communication using vocal sounds, gestures, or written symbols; the basis of symbolic culture and the primary means through which we communicate with one another and perpetuate our culture

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

the idea that language structures thought and that ways of looking at the world are embedded in language

Values

ideas about what is desirable or contemptible and right or wrong in a particular group; they articulate the essence of everything that a cultural group cherishes and honors

Norm

a rule or guideline regarding what kinds of behavior re acceptable and appropriate within a culture

Law

a common type of formally defined norm providing an explicit statement about what is permissible and what is illegal in a given society

Folkway

a loosely enforced norm involving common customs, practices, or procedures that ensure smooth social interaction and acceptance

More

a norm that carries great moral significance, is closely related to the core values of a cultural group, and often involves severe repercussions for violators

Taboo

a norm ingrained so deeply that even thinking about violating it evokes strong feelings of disgust, horror, or revulsion

Sanction

positive or negative reactions to the ways that people follow or disobey norms, including rewards for conformity and punishments for violations

Social Control

the formal and informal mechanisms used to elicit conformity to values and norms and thus increase social cohesion

Multiculturalism

a policy that values diverse racial, ethnic, national, and linguistic backgrounds and so encourages the retention of cultural differences within society rather than assimilation

Dominant Culture

the values, norms, and practices of the group within society that is most powerful (in terms of wealth, prestige, status, influence, etc.)

Hegemony

term developed by Antonio Gramsci to describe the cultural aspects of social control, whereby the ideas of the dominant social group are accepted by all of society

Subculture

a group within society that is differentiated by its distinctive values, norms, and lifestyle

Counterculture

a group within society that openly rejects and/or actively opposes society's values and norms

Culture Wars

clashes within mainstream society over the values and norms that should be upheld

Ideal Culture

the norms, values, and patterns of behavior that members of a society believe should be observed in principle

Real Culture

the norms, values, and patterns of behavior that actually exist within a society (which may or may not correspond to the society's ideals)

Technology

material artifacts and the knowledge and techniques required to use them

Technological Determinism

the notion that developments in technology provide the primary driving force behind social change

Cultural Diffusion

the dissemination of material and symbolic culture (tools and technology, beliefs and behavior) from one group to another

Cultural Leveling

the process by which cultures that were once unique and distinct become increasingly similar

Cultural Imperialism

the imposition of one culture's beliefs and practices on another culture through mass media and consumer products rather than by military force