Cultural Concepts and Norms: Key Terms and Definitions

Culture

The values, beliefs, behavior, and material objects forming a way of life.

Material Culture

Physical objects created by humans (e.g., clothes, buildings).

Non-Material Culture

Ideas, values, and beliefs (e.g., freedom, religion).

Symbols

Anything carrying meaning recognized by people sharing a culture.

Language

System of symbols that allows communication and the transmission of culture.

Values

Cultural standards defining what is good, bad, desirable, or undesirable.

Beliefs

Specific thoughts that people hold to be true.

Norms

Rules and expectations guiding behavior within a culture.

Folkways

Norms for routine or casual interaction (e.g., saying 'please').

Mores

Norms of great moral significance (e.g., cheating, lying).

Taboos

Deeply prohibited behaviors that cause strong disgust (e.g., incest).

Real Culture

Actual behavior patterns in society.

Ideal Culture

Cultural values and norms that people profess to uphold.

High Culture

Cultural patterns that distinguish a society's elite.

Popular Culture

Cultural patterns widespread among a society's population.

Subculture

Group within a culture that has distinct norms and values (e.g., gamers, athletes).

Counterculture

Group whose values oppose the dominant culture (e.g., hippies).

Ethnocentrism

Judging other cultures by one's own standards.

Cultural Relativism

Evaluating a culture by its own standards to understand it.

Cultural Lag

The delay in adjusting non-material culture to new technology or change.

Multiculturalism

Promotion of cultural diversity and equality among cultural traditions.

Cultural Integration

How cultural elements fit together and support each other.

Example of U.S. Values

Individualism, freedom, competition, material success.