Culture and Communication

Flashcards covering key sociological concepts related to culture, language, values, and norms, including the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis and different types of norms.

Language

A system of communication using vocal sounds, gestures, or written symbols; the basis of nonmaterial culture and the primary means through which we communicate and perpetuate culture.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

The idea that language structures thought and that the ways of looking at the world are embedded in the language that we use.

Values

Ideas about what is right or wrong, good or bad, desirable or worthy in a particular group; they express what the group cherishes and honors.

Norms

Rules or guidelines regarding what kinds of behavior are acceptable and appropriate within a particular culture, typically emanating from the group's values.

Laws

Norms that are formally classified to provide an explicit statement about what is permissible or forbidden, legal or illegal in a given society.

Folkways

Loosely enforced norms involving common customs, practices, or procedures that ensure smooth social interaction and acceptance.

Mores

Norms that carry great moral significance and are closely related to the core values of a cultural group, often involving severe repercussions for violators.

Taboos

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

Moral Holiday

A specified time period during which some more (moral norm) violations are allowed.

Language

A complex system of communication, whether through vocal sounds, gestures, or written symbols, that serves as the fundamental basis of nonmaterial culture. It is the primary vehicle through which individuals within a society share meaning, express thoughts, and transmit cultural knowledge and values from one generation to the next.

Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis

Conceptualized by linguists Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf, this hypothesis proposes that the structure of a language profoundly influences its speakers' worldview and cognitive processes. It suggests that our language not only expresses but also shapes our perception and understanding of reality, influencing how we categorize experiences and interpret the world.

Values

Shared, abstract ideals and principles within a particular cultural group that define what is considered good or bad, desirable or undesirable, right or wrong, and worthy of pursuit. These foundational beliefs guide collective behavior, influence decision-making, and often serve as the basis for a society's norms.

Norms

Specific, unwritten or written rules and expectations that govern behavior within a particular culture or social group. Emanating directly from a group's values, norms dictate what actions and interactions are considered acceptable, appropriate, and expected, helping to maintain social order and predictability.

Laws

Formalized norms that are systematically codified and enforced by a political authority, such as a government, within a given society. These explicit regulations define what behaviors are permissible or forbidden, legal or illegal, and are backed by specific sanctions for non-compliance, ensuring public order and justice.

Folkways

Informal and commonly accepted norms that guide everyday social interactions, customs, and practices within a culture. Violations of folkways, such as not saying 'please' or 'thank you,' typically result in minor social repercussions like mild disapproval, odd looks, or awkwardness, rather than severe punishment.

Mores

Strongly held norms that carry significant moral weight and are considered essential for the well-being and stability of a cultural group. Closely tied to a society's core values, violations of mores (e.g., infidelity, dishonest acts) often evoke strong negative emotional reactions and lead to severe social sanctions, such as ostracization or formal punishment.

Taboos

Norms that are so deeply ingrained in a culture that the mere thought or discussion of violating them elicits intense feelings of disgust, revulsion, or horror. Taboos represent the most extreme form of social prohibition, often related to behaviors considered utterly repulsive, such as incest or cannibalism, and their violation is met with universal condemnation.

Moral Holiday

A designated period of time within a society during which certain mores (moral norms) are temporarily relaxed or suspended, allowing for behaviors that would typically be considered violations. These periods often serve as a release valve for social pressures, allowing for permissible deviance without undermining the overall social order.