Sociology

1
Sociology

• Chapter Three
• Culture

2
Culture Society

• Culture - totality of learned, socially
  transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects,
  and behavior

3
Culture Society

• Culture - totality of learned, socially
  transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects,
  and behavior
• Culture helps to define and distinguish a society

4
Culture Society

• Culture - totality of learned, socially
  transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects,
  and behavior
• Culture helps to define and distinguish a society
• Society - largest form of human group, consisting
  of people who share a common heritage and culture

5
Culture Society

• Culture - totality of learned, socially
  transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects,
  and behavior
• Culture helps to define and distinguish a society
• Society - largest form of human group, consisting
  of people who share a common heritage and culture
• Language is the most critical element of culture

6
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies

7
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs

8
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs
• Ex - shelter, food, clothing

9
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs
• Ex - shelter, food, clothing
• Others include sports, marriage, funeral
  ceremonies, etc

10
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs
• Ex - shelter, food, clothing
• Others include sports, marriage, funeral
  ceremonies, etc
• Note the practices of and beliefs behind these
  elements are not necessarily common to all
  societies

11
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs
• Ex - shelter, food, clothing
• Others include sports, marriage, funeral
  ceremonies, etc
• Note the practices of and beliefs behind these
  elements are not necessarily common to all
  societies
• Innovation - process of introducing a new idea or
  object to a culture

12
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs
• Ex - shelter, food, clothing
• Others include sports, marriage, funeral
  ceremonies, etc
• Note the practices of and beliefs behind these
  elements are not necessarily common to all
  societies
• Innovation - process of introducing a new idea or
  object to a culture
• Discovery - making known the existence of an
  aspect of reality

13
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs
• Ex - shelter, food, clothing
• Others include sports, marriage, funeral
  ceremonies, etc
• Note the practices of and beliefs behind these
  elements are not necessarily common to all
  societies
• Innovation - process of introducing a new idea or
  object to a culture
• Discovery - making known the existence of an
  aspect of reality
• Invention - when existing elements are combined
  into a new form

14
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs
• Ex - shelter, food, clothing
• Others include sports, marriage, funeral
  ceremonies, etc
• Note the practices of and beliefs behind these
  elements are not necessarily common to all
  societies
• Innovation - process of introducing a new idea or
  object to a culture
• Discovery - making known the existence of an
  aspect of reality
• Invention - when existing elements are combined
  into a new form
• Diffusion - process by which cultural elements
  spread to other societies

15
Development of Culture

• Cultural universals are elements common to all
  societies
• Most common universals are adaptations to meet
  human needs
• Ex - shelter, food, clothing
• Others include sports, marriage, funeral
  ceremonies, etc
• Note the practices of and beliefs behind these
  elements are not necessarily common to all
  societies
• Innovation - process of introducing a new idea or
  object to a culture
• Discovery - making known the existence of an
  aspect of reality
• Invention - when existing elements are combined
  into a new form
• Diffusion - process by which cultural elements
  spread to other societies
• Technology - cultural information about how to
  use the material resources of the environment to
  satisfy human needs and desires (Gehard Lenski)

16
McDonaldization

• ...McDonaldization,...is the process by which the
  principles of the fast-food restaurant are coming
  to dominate more and more sectors of American
  society as well as of the rest of the world.
  (George Ritzer)

17
McDonaldization

• ...McDonaldization,...is the process by which the
  principles of the fast-food restaurant are coming
  to dominate more and more sectors of American
  society as well as of the rest of the world.
  (George Ritzer)
• The McDonaldization of culture refers to the
  blending of elements of cultures due to the
  effects globalization and technology

18
Cultures at the Far End of the WorldWade Davis
19
Material vs Nonmaterial Culture

• Material culture refers to the physical and/or
  technological aspects of the daily life of a
  society (ex - food, housing, factories, etc)

20
Material vs Nonmaterial Culture

• Material culture refers to the physical and/or
  technological aspects of the daily life of a
  society (ex - food, housing, factories, etc)
• Nonmaterial culture refers to the ways in which
  material culture is used and to the customs,
  beliefs, traditions, ideologies, etc of a society

21
Material vs Nonmaterial Culture

• Material culture refers to the physical and/or
  technological aspects of the daily life of a
  society (ex - food, housing, factories, etc)
• Nonmaterial culture refers to the ways in which
  material culture is used and to the customs,
  beliefs, traditions, ideologies, etc of a society
• Nonmaterial culture changes less frequently than
  material culture

22
Material vs Nonmaterial Culture

• Material culture refers to the physical and/or
  technological aspects of the daily life of a
  society (ex - food, housing, factories, etc)
• Nonmaterial culture refers to the ways in which
  material culture is used and to the customs,
  beliefs, traditions, ideologies, etc of a society
• Nonmaterial culture changes less frequently than
  material culture
• Cultural lag is the period of time when
  nonmaterial culture struggles to adapt to new
  material conditions

23
Material vs Nonmaterial Culture

• Material culture refers to the physical and/or
  technological aspects of the daily life of a
  society (ex - food, housing, factories, etc)
• Nonmaterial culture refers to the ways in which
  material culture is used and to the customs,
  beliefs, traditions, ideologies, etc of a society
• Nonmaterial culture changes less frequently than
  material culture
• Cultural lag is the period of time when
  nonmaterial culture struggles to adapt to new
  material conditions
• Ex - beliefs related to free speech, privacy
  rights, and censorship (nonmaterial cultural
  elements) and the increased relevance of the
  internet on daily life (material cultural
  elements)

24
Sociobiology

• Controversial study of the effects of biology on
  human social behavior

25
Sociobiology

• Controversial study of the effects of biology on
  human social behavior
• Ex - are women more nurturing than men?

26
Sociobiology

• Controversial study of the effects of biology on
  human social behavior
• Ex - are women more nurturing than men?
• Based on Darwins theory of evolution (natural
  selection)

27
Sociobiology

• Controversial study of the effects of biology on
  human social behavior
• Ex - are women more nurturing than men?
• Based on Darwins theory of evolution (natural
  selection)
• Species that are able to adapt to changes in
  their environment(s) will survive, while those
  that are unable to adapt will perish

28
Natural Selection
29
Sociobiology

• Controversial study of the effects of biology on
  human social behavior
• Ex - are women more nurturing than men?
• Based on Darwins theory of evolution (natural
  selection)
• Species that are able to adapt to changes in
  their environment(s) will survive, while those
  that are unable to adapt will perish
• Claims that all behaviors are the result of
  genetic adaptations

30
Sociobiology

• Controversial study of the effects of biology on
  human social behavior
• Ex - are women more nurturing than men?
• Based on Darwins theory of evolution (natural
  selection)
• Species that are able to adapt to changes in
  their environment(s) will survive, while those
  that are unable to adapt will perish
• Claims that all behaviors are the result of
  genetic adaptations
• Focuses on large groups of people who share
  common characteristics (ex - men or women)

31
Social Darwinism
32
Social Darwinism
33
Elements of Culture

• Language

34
Elements of Culture

• Language
• Norms

35
Elements of Culture

• Language
• Norms
• Sanctions

36
Elements of Culture

• Language
• Norms
• Sanctions
• Values

37
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols

38
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions

39
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality

40
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought

41
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought
• The world of symbols, speech, etc organize the
  world for us

42
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought
• The world of symbols, speech, etc organize the
  world for us
• Language is culturally determined

43
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought
• The world of symbols, speech, etc organize the
  world for us
• Language is culturally determined
• Political correctness

44
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought
• The world of symbols, speech, etc organize the
  world for us
• Language is culturally determined
• Political correctness
• Gender-related language - mailman, policeman, etc

45
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought
• The world of symbols, speech, etc organize the
  world for us
• Language is culturally determined
• Political correctness
• Gender-related language - mailman, policeman, etc
• Stereotype transmissions - black and white

46
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought
• The world of symbols, speech, etc organize the
  world for us
• Language is culturally determined
• Political correctness
• Gender-related language - mailman, policeman, etc
• Stereotype transmissions - black and white
• Nonverbal communication is the use of gestures,
  facial expressions, etc to communicate

47
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought
• The world of symbols, speech, etc organize the
  world for us
• Language is culturally determined
• Political correctness
• Gender-related language - mailman, policeman, etc
• Stereotype transmissions - black and white
• Nonverbal communication is the use of gestures,
  facial expressions, etc to communicate
• Varies from culture to culture

48
Elements of Culture - Language

• Language is an abstract system of word meanings
  and symbols
• Includes speech, written characters, numerals,
  symbols, and nonverbal gestures and expressions
• Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis describes the role of
  language in determining our interpretation of
  reality
• Since we understand the world through language,
  language precedes thought
• The world of symbols, speech, etc organize the
  world for us
• Language is culturally determined
• Political correctness
• Gender-related language - mailman, policeman, etc
• Stereotype transmissions - black and white
• Nonverbal communication is the use of gestures,
  facial expressions, etc to communicate
• Varies from culture to culture
• Read In Their Own Words

49
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society

50
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood

51
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms

52
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms
• Formal norms - usually written down and specify
  specific punishments for violations (ex - laws,
  contest rules, etc)

53
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms
• Formal norms - usually written down and specify
  specific punishments for violations (ex - laws,
  contest rules, etc)
• Informal norms - generally understood rules of
  society (dress, cell phone etiquette, etc)

54
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms
• Formal norms - usually written down and specify
  specific punishments for violations (ex - laws,
  contest rules, etc)
• Informal norms - generally understood rules of
  society (dress, cell phone etiquette, etc)
• Mores - norms regarded as highly necessary for
  society (ex - laws against murder, rape, etc)

55
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms
• Formal norms - usually written down and specify
  specific punishments for violations (ex - laws,
  contest rules, etc)
• Informal norms - generally understood rules of
  society (dress, cell phone etiquette, etc)
• Mores - norms regarded as highly necessary for
  society (ex - laws against murder, rape, etc)
• Folkways - norms governing everyday behavior (ex
  - ascending or descending staircases on the
  right-hand side, etc)

56
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms
• Formal norms - usually written down and specify
  specific punishments for violations (ex - laws,
  contest rules, etc)
• Informal norms - generally understood rules of
  society (dress, cell phone etiquette, etc)
• Mores - norms regarded as highly necessary for
  society (ex - laws against murder, rape, etc)
• Folkways - norms governing everyday behavior (ex
  - ascending or descending staircases on the
  right-hand side, etc)
• Acceptance of norms depends on situations

57
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms
• Formal norms - usually written down and specify
  specific punishments for violations (ex - laws,
  contest rules, etc)
• Informal norms - generally understood rules of
  society (dress, cell phone etiquette, etc)
• Mores - norms regarded as highly necessary for
  society (ex - laws against murder, rape, etc)
• Folkways - norms governing everyday behavior (ex
  - ascending or descending staircases on the
  right-hand side, etc)
• Acceptance of norms depends on situations
• Norms may conflict with one another (ex -
  intervene or mind own business)

58
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms
• Formal norms - usually written down and specify
  specific punishments for violations (ex - laws,
  contest rules, etc)
• Informal norms - generally understood rules of
  society (dress, cell phone etiquette, etc)
• Mores - norms regarded as highly necessary for
  society (ex - laws against murder, rape, etc)
• Folkways - norms governing everyday behavior (ex
  - ascending or descending staircases on the
  right-hand side, etc)
• Acceptance of norms depends on situations
• Norms may conflict with one another (ex -
  intervene or mind own business)
• Norms may have exceptions (ex - use of torture)

59
Elements of Culture - Norms

• Norms are the established standards of behavior
  maintained by a society
• Significant norms must be widely shared and
  understood
• Two types of norms
• Formal norms - usually written down and specify
  specific punishments for violations (ex - laws,
  contest rules, etc)
• Informal norms - generally understood rules of
  society (dress, cell phone etiquette, etc)
• Mores - norms regarded as highly necessary for
  society (ex - laws against murder, rape, etc)
• Folkways - norms governing everyday behavior (ex
  - ascending or descending staircases on the
  right-hand side, etc)
• Acceptance of norms depends on situations
• Norms may conflict with one another (ex -
  intervene or mind own business)
• Norms may have exceptions (ex - use of torture)
• Norms are subject to social climate (ex -
  same-sex marriages)

60
Elements of Culture - Sanctions Values

• Sanctions are penalties and rewards for conduct
  concerning a specific norm

61
Elements of Culture - Sanctions Values

• Sanctions are penalties and rewards for conduct
  concerning a specific norm
• Generally, only the most culturally significant
  norms will carry sanctions

62
Elements of Culture - Sanctions Values

• Sanctions are penalties and rewards for conduct
  concerning a specific norm
• Generally, only the most culturally significant
  norms will carry sanctions
• Values are what society considers to be good,
  beneficial and desirable - or bad, detrimental,
  and abhorrent - in a culture

63
Elements of Culture - Sanctions Values

• Sanctions are penalties and rewards for conduct
  concerning a specific norm
• Generally, only the most culturally significant
  norms will carry sanctions
• Values are what society considers to be good,
  beneficial and desirable - or bad, detrimental,
  and abhorrent - in a culture
• Although norms and sanctions may change often,
  values (generally) remain constant

64
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies

65
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society

66
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)

67
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)
• Various arguments as to why subcultures exist

68
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)
• Various arguments as to why subcultures exist
• Countercultures are subcultures that deliberately
  oppose certain aspects of larger society

69
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)
• Various arguments as to why subcultures exist
• Countercultures are subcultures that deliberately
  oppose certain aspects of larger society
• Culture Shock refers to a state of disorientation
  or uncertainty that occurs when one is immersed
  in an unfamiliar culture

70
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)
• Various arguments as to why subcultures exist
• Countercultures are subcultures that deliberately
  oppose certain aspects of larger society
• Culture Shock refers to a state of disorientation
  or uncertainty that occurs when one is immersed
  in an unfamiliar culture
• Responses to cultural variation

71
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)
• Various arguments as to why subcultures exist
• Countercultures are subcultures that deliberately
  oppose certain aspects of larger society
• Culture Shock refers to a state of disorientation
  or uncertainty that occurs when one is immersed
  in an unfamiliar culture
• Responses to cultural variation
• Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to assume
  that the characteristics of ones culture are
  superior to those of another

72
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)
• Various arguments as to why subcultures exist
• Countercultures are subcultures that deliberately
  oppose certain aspects of larger society
• Culture Shock refers to a state of disorientation
  or uncertainty that occurs when one is immersed
  in an unfamiliar culture
• Responses to cultural variation
• Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to assume
  that the characteristics of ones culture are
  superior to those of another
• Ex - western democracy

73
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)
• Various arguments as to why subcultures exist
• Countercultures are subcultures that deliberately
  oppose certain aspects of larger society
• Culture Shock refers to a state of disorientation
  or uncertainty that occurs when one is immersed
  in an unfamiliar culture
• Responses to cultural variation
• Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to assume
  that the characteristics of ones culture are
  superior to those of another
• Ex - western democracy
• Cultural Relativism views peoples behavior from
  the perspective of their own culture

74
Cultural Variation

• Refers to the unique characteristics of cultures
  within societies
• Subcultures are smaller segments of society that
  share distinctive languages (argots), norms,
  sanctions, and/or values of larger society
• Argots are distinctive languages of subcultures
  (ex - slang, internet/text chat, etc)
• Various arguments as to why subcultures exist
• Countercultures are subcultures that deliberately
  oppose certain aspects of larger society
• Culture Shock refers to a state of disorientation
  or uncertainty that occurs when one is immersed
  in an unfamiliar culture
• Responses to cultural variation
• Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to assume
  that the characteristics of ones culture are
  superior to those of another
• Ex - western democracy
• Cultural Relativism views peoples behavior from
  the perspective of their own culture
• Ex - fundamentalist Islam

75
Documenting Our Endangered CulturesPhil Borges