The Meaning of Culture (Chapter 2 Section 1 p 24-29)

Material culture

the physical objects that people create and use

Non-material culture

abstract human creations

Culture

consist of all the shared products of human groups including physical objects, beliefs, values and behaviors shared by the group.

Society

a group of people who share a common culture

The Components of Culture

technology, symbols, language, values, and norms

Technology

the application of knowledge and scientific principles to create tools, systems, and processes to solve problems or achieve specific goals

Symbols

objects or images that carry particular meaning within a culture

Language

a system of symbols and rules that allows people to communicate and share ideas within a culture.

Values

the shared beliefs and ideals that guide behavior and judgment within a culture.

Norms

the unwritten rules and expectations for behavior that govern how individuals act in society and within a culture.

Folkways

the casual norms regarding everyday behavior and etiquette that are expected within a culture.

Mores

the strong norms that dictate what is considered morally correct and acceptable behavior within a culture, often associated with greater consequences for violations.

Laws

the formal norms established by a governing body that dictate specific actions and consequences, enforcing moral standards in a society. Written by the governent

Culture Trait

an individual tool, act or belief that is related to a particular situation or need

Culture complexes

clusters of interrelated traits

Culture pattern

the combination of a number of culture complexes into an interrelated whole

Cultural universal

a common element or practice found across cultures, such as language, religion, or social organization. Features that are basic and common to all cultures.

Ethnocentrism

the belief in the superiority of one's own culture compared to others, often leading to a bias in perspective.

Cultural Variation

the differences in cultural practices and beliefs among various groups and societies.

Cultural relativism

the principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another culture.

Subculture

a cultural group within a larger culture, distinguished by its unique values, norms, and practices.

Countercultures

groups that reject and oppose the dominant cultural norms and values, often advocating for alternative lifestyles.

Beliefs

the convictions or opinions that individuals hold to be true based on their cultural background and experiences.

Political system

a structured set of political institutions and practices that defines how a society governs itself and interacts with its citizens.

Yanomamo

a group of indigenous people living in the Amazon rainforest, known for their distinct cultural practices and social organization.

San

a group of indigenous hunter-gatherers primarily found in southern Africa, known for their unique language and deep knowledge of the land.

Napoleon Chagnon

an American anthropologist known for his studies of the Yanomamo people, focusing on their social structure, warfare, and culture.