Culture & Subculture (Part 1)

culture

the combination of material and non-material items that come together to form a meaningful way of life

material culture

all the objects that can be touched, seen, tasted, heard, and have a common understanding in a society, such as a reusable water bottle or a particular brand/item of clothes

non-material culture

all the symbols, ideas, and behaviors that are commonly understood in a society

values

cultural standards that people use to decide what’s good or bad and right or wrong, typically expressed in single-word abstract words such as loyalty, trust, courage, compassion, etc

beliefs

specific ideas about what people think are true about the world, typically expressed in a few words, such as everyone should be treated equally, don’t interrupt people who are talking, or hold the door open for people

language

any words, phrasing, grammar, or pronunciation used in speech or in writing, such as any slang word or phrase like “yassss”

symbols

gestures, signs, objects, or signals that carry a specific meaning that’s recognized by people who share a culture, such as emojis

norms

rules and expectations that guide behavior within a society that provide order and predictability because people know “how” to act, what is expected of them, and what to expect from other people

sanctions

reactions that are used to discourage or encourage someone else's behaviors in accordance with social norms and values

folkways

informal social norms and customs that guide everyday behavior, such as manners and dress codes, with mild sanctions for violations.

mores

official, stated rules and laws that tend to be codified with sanctions like being fired, ticketed, or arrested

taboos

a powerful social norm that marks certain behaviors as forbidden or highly discouraged within a culture, which can lead to severe sanctions or social ostracism if violated