CULTURE- Socialisation, Culture & Identity Sociology - Paper 1

What is Culture?

The whole way of life for a society e.g. fashions, traditions, music, language

Norms- strong principles or beliefs that something is worthwhile

Values- social rules or expectations that govern behaviour

Cultural Hybridity- when two cultures mix e.g. Britain has hybridity because it has influence of all british countries as well as ethnic groups and global culture

Cultural Diversity- the existence of a variety of cultural groups within a society

• Multicultural UK - means people with different cultures tolerating those alongside them
• A number of ethnic minorities live amongst white christian minority

Case Studies for Culture:

The hamar tribe-

• -In Ethiopia
• -Culture rich in ceremony
• -males must leap onto the backs of cattle & run across to be welcomed into adulthood
• -women are whipped to prove devotion to men.

CULTURAL HYBRIDITY:

The Uk-

• -contains Scottish, English, Welsh & Irish but also Asian, US people etc.
• -Relation to first/ second generation immigrants who adopt hybrid identities e.g. “Brasians”
• -South Asian culture mixed with British values E.G. henna

NORMS & VALUES-gender:

Sex & Temperament in 3 Primitive Societies: Mead 1935

• -American anthropologist studied tribal cultures.
• -Tribes in Samoa & New Guinea
• -Female behaviour and gender role expectations.
• -ARAPESH: male and female are cooperative
• -MUNDUGUMOR: both genders violent & aggressive
• -CHAMBRI: women were dominant , aggressive & did less childcare , men were timid, emotionally dependent and decorated themselves

Bourdieu (1984) and Pop Culture:

-argues that the distinction between high and pop culture lies in the power of the group who support and access them