*Exam Notes: Culture, Society, and Biology

Culture and Norms

• Culture: Shared beliefs, values, and customs.

• Norms: Rules and expectations for behavior.

Functions of Culture

• Guides behavior.

• Promotes cohesion.

• Transmits values.

• Shapes identity.

Societal Types

• Individualistic Societies

  • Emphasize personal goals, independence, and self-expression.

  • Individuals defined by personal achievements.

• Collective Societies

  • Emphasize group goals, interdependence, and harmony.

  • Individuals defined by roles in family, community, or group.

Biological Perspective: Causal Factors

• Genetic factors: Inherited genes shape traits, temperament, and susceptibility to disorders.

• Neurochemical factors: Brain chemicals (neurotransmitters, hormones) affect mood, thought, and behavior.

• Brain structures & functions: Different brain areas control behavior, cognition, and emotion.