CULTUREIS A SOCIAL FORCE

© Dr. Francis Adu-Febiri, 2015© Dr. Francis Adu-Febiri, 2015

Contents of the Presentation

Introduction: The centrality of culture Culture: Experiencing the “Other” Explaining FGM/FGC Major concepts of Culture Culture web Core dimensions of Culture Cultural universals, uniformity & diversity Theoretical Perspectives of culture: Sociobiology versus

Sociology Sociological Paradigms of culture: Functionalism, Social

Conflict, Interactionism, and Feminism

Introduction: The centrality of culture

Does culture adequately account for the immense similarities and differences in the ways people feel, think, live and behave?

Introduction: The centrality of culture

Our private troubles [and our day to day Our private troubles [and our day to day behaviours, feelings and thinking] are behaviours, feelings and thinking] are motivated by the culture characterizing the motivated by the culture characterizing the social relationships in which we find social relationships in which we find ourselves (Russell Westhaver 2013, p. 134).ourselves (Russell Westhaver 2013, p. 134).

Introduction: The centrality of culture

Our very existence and understanding of Our very existence and understanding of ourselves is a product of our culture, we ourselves is a product of our culture, we cannot and do not exist outside of cannot and do not exist outside of culture. (Bartle 2004: Page 59). culture. (Bartle 2004: Page 59).

Culture is exterior, interior and anterior Culture is exterior, interior and anterior to people in social groups (Emile to people in social groups (Emile Durkheim). Durkheim).

CULTURE: Experiencing ‘THE OTHER’

In Kenya, a group of Canadian students fall in love with In Kenya, a group of Canadian students fall in love with the beauty of Africa and Africans. The young Canadian the beauty of Africa and Africans. The young Canadian women do their hair in a thousand tiny braids and the men women do their hair in a thousand tiny braids and the men buy buy rungurungu fighting clubs and Samburu spears in a fighting clubs and Samburu spears in a celebration of things African. Then, their fieldschool celebration of things African. Then, their fieldschool professor informs them about clitoridectomy. Every professor informs them about clitoridectomy. Every dignified, graceful woman walking along the road in dignified, graceful woman walking along the road in spotlessly clean , red spotlessly clean , red khangakhanga dresses has been sexually dresses has been sexually mutilated as a teenager, usually on the evening before mutilated as a teenager, usually on the evening before joining her husband in his village…walking many miles joining her husband in his village…walking many miles across the desert with fresh wounds (Roberts, Thakur and across the desert with fresh wounds (Roberts, Thakur and Tunnell, eds., 1999: 1). Tunnell, eds., 1999: 1).

CULTURE: Experiencing ‘THE OTHER’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kNMC65pNsg

WHY DO PEOPLE PRACTISE FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION/CUTTING?

WHY DO PEOPLE PRACTICE FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION/CUTTING?

Sociological Answer:Sociological Answer:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is the Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is the product of social interaction in the context product of social interaction in the context of the patriarchal culture of non-industrial of the patriarchal culture of non-industrial societies. societies.

Homeostasis:

FGC is a cultural practice that persists because it contributes to

homeostasis of the social structure

Social Class Inequality:Females are victims of FGC because women are part of lower social class in a non-industrial political economy

Human Agency: Positive definitions of FGC by people offering the practice and those undergoing it

Patriarchy:

FGC is a weapon to keep girls and women under the control or power of males

FUNCTIONALISM

INTERACTIO

NISM

SOCIAL

CONFLICTFEM

INIS

M

EX

PLA

NA

TIO

N O

F FG

C

“X V

aria

ble”

WHY DO PEOPLE PRACTISE FGM or FGC?

Sociological Paradigms

CULTURE: Experiencing the “Other”:RESPONSES TO FGM/FGC The following day, the fun is gone for the Canadian students. The following day, the fun is gone for the Canadian students.

The hair styles change and theThe hair styles change and the rungus rungus get stowed beneath get stowed beneath the seats. Faces become strained. A student complains to the the seats. Faces become strained. A student complains to the professor, “I’m not having fun any more.” Several request professor, “I’m not having fun any more.” Several request that the field trip be called off, “Let’s take our losses and that the field trip be called off, “Let’s take our losses and leave this place.” Others become mysteriously sick. The leave this place.” Others become mysteriously sick. The professor is blamed for indicating his high respect for the professor is blamed for indicating his high respect for the Samburu in lectures before the trip. Some students are Samburu in lectures before the trip. Some students are angry and others will not talk. They are hot, afraid of angry and others will not talk. They are hot, afraid of malaria and cattle raids, and suffering from stomach upset. malaria and cattle raids, and suffering from stomach upset.

What are these students experiencing?What are these students experiencing? ““Culture shock.” Culture shock.” Why did these Canadian students experience culture shock? Why did these Canadian students experience culture shock?

CULTURE: Experiencing the “Other”:WHY CULTURE SHOCK? Cultural Diversity (Obvious/Superficial answer) Cultural Diversity (Obvious/Superficial answer) Cultural differences often result in travelers’ feeling a Cultural differences often result in travelers’ feeling a

sense of ‘culture shock’ sense of ‘culture shock’ only because they rank order only because they rank order these differences, making their own cultures the these differences, making their own cultures the standard. standard.

EthnocentrismEthnocentrism ( (Unobvious/deep Unobvious/deep

answer) answer) Eurocentrism and Westernocentrism: Are particular kinds of Eurocentrism and Westernocentrism: Are particular kinds of

Ethnocentrism Ethnocentrism

CULTURE: Experiencing the “Other”:AVOIDING CULTURE SHOCK 1. Cultural Relativism1. Cultural Relativism All cultures are equally developed according to their own priorities All cultures are equally developed according to their own priorities

and values; none is better, more advanced than any other.and values; none is better, more advanced than any other.

2. Xenocentrism.2. Xenocentrism. Definitions: Definitions:

the preference for the products, styles, or ideas of the preference for the products, styles, or ideas of someone else's culture rather than of one's ownsomeone else's culture rather than of one's own (en.wikipedia.org/wiki )(en.wikipedia.org/wiki )

The tendency to assume that aspects of other cultures The tendency to assume that aspects of other cultures are superior to one's own.are superior to one's own.(www.webref.org/sociology). (www.webref.org/sociology).

MAJOR CONCEPTS OF CULTURE:

Culture ShockCulture Shock EthnocentrismEthnocentrism Cultural RelativismCultural Relativism XenocentrismXenocentrism Culture: Material and Non-material Culture: Material and Non-material Culture WebCulture Web Values and BeliefsValues and Beliefs Norms: Folkways, Mores, Taboos, SanctionsNorms: Folkways, Mores, Taboos, Sanctions Cultural universals and Cultural uniformityCultural universals and Cultural uniformity Cultural Diversity and MulticulturalismCultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Mainstream Culture, Subculture and CountercultureMainstream Culture, Subculture and Counterculture High Culture and Popular CultureHigh Culture and Popular Culture Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis of languageof language

CULTURE WEB

What qualifies as culture?What qualifies as culture? The total package of material culture and non-material culture:The total package of material culture and non-material culture:

Material CultureMaterial Culture: the physical aspects of our daily lives, : the physical aspects of our daily lives, including food, houses, factories, raw materials and including food, houses, factories, raw materials and technology.technology.

Nonmaterial CultureNonmaterial Culture: Values, beliefs, ideas, customs, : Values, beliefs, ideas, customs, symbols (including language), expressions, knowledge, symbols (including language), expressions, knowledge, philosophies, governments, patterns of communication, and philosophies, governments, patterns of communication, and ways of using material objects.ways of using material objects.

Cultural Lag: The change gap between material culture and non-Cultural Lag: The change gap between material culture and non-material culture material culture

CULTURAL WEB: Connections Between Material Culture & Nonmaterial Culture

CULTURAL WEB: Connections Between Material Culture & Nonmaterial Culture

VALUES &BELIEFS

Ideas &knowledge

Technology &Infrastructure

Customs/Traditions

Norms

Food

Decorations

Emotions& Rituals

Symbols & Entertainment

IDEALIST (NONMATERIAL) PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURE (Malinowski’s Theory)

VALUES, BELIEFS, IDEAS, NORMS &RITUALS

Technology

Infrastructure

Food & Clothes

Artifacts & Tools

X

X

X

XY

Y

Y

Y

MATERIALIST PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURE (Harris’ Theory)

TECHNOLOGYINFRASTRUCTUREFOOD & CLOTHINGART & CRAFT

Beliefs &Rituals

Values

Ideas &Norms

x x

x

Y Y

Y

QUIZ 10aMark Tonto, a Camosun Anthropology Mark Tonto, a Camosun Anthropology Student thinks that the realm of the “ideal, the Student thinks that the realm of the “ideal, the spiritual, emotional and the moral” (as spiritual, emotional and the moral” (as opposed to the “material, technological, and opposed to the “material, technological, and the social-structural”) is the only way culture the social-structural”) is the only way culture exists in human society. Is Mr. Tonto’s exists in human society. Is Mr. Tonto’s definition of culture sociologically correct? definition of culture sociologically correct?

a)a) YESYESb)b) NONOc)c) Both Yes and NoBoth Yes and Nod)d) None of the aboveNone of the above

CORE DIMENSIONS OF CULTURE

VALUESVALUES:--Ideologies used to :--Ideologies used to judge.judge.

This is a structure of ideas that people have about This is a structure of ideas that people have about good and bad, about beautiful and ugly, and about good and bad, about beautiful and ugly, and about right and wrong, right and wrong, which are the justifications that which are the justifications that people cite to explain their actions (Bartle 2004:5-people cite to explain their actions (Bartle 2004:5-6).6).

““What makes a Woman Beautiful?” (See page 135 What makes a Woman Beautiful?” (See page 135 of the required textbook).of the required textbook).

CANADIAN CULTURAL VALUES

See pages 128-131 of Textbook.

According to functionalism, a society’s cultural values determine the NORMS the society constructs to produce stability and cohesion through social control.

MORES

TABOOS

FOLKWAYS

HIERARCHY OF NORMS

Most Important Norms

Very Important Norms

Least Important Norms

CORE DIMENSIONS OF CULTURE

NORMSNORMS: Socially defined rules of behavior: : Socially defined rules of behavior: A) Taboos:A) Taboos:

Most important rules of behavior—even the thought of Most important rules of behavior—even the thought of violating them upsets people. E.G.?violating them upsets people. E.G.?

B) MoresB) Mores: : Very important rules of behavior—violations invoke Very important rules of behavior—violations invoke

punishment. E.G.? punishment. E.G.? C) FolkwaysC) Folkways::

Less important rules of behavior—violations are not taken Less important rules of behavior—violations are not taken seriously. E.g. a) belching in front of others?; b) Eating cereal for seriously. E.g. a) belching in front of others?; b) Eating cereal for dinner and hot pizza for breakfast?.dinner and hot pizza for breakfast?.

A Video Clip on Norms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JJFBtHcBnM

CULTURAL UNIVERSALS

Elements of culture that all societies have in Elements of culture that all societies have in common:common: ValuesValues BeliefsBeliefs SymbolsSymbols NormsNorms InstitutionsInstitutions TechnologyTechnology

CULTURAL UNIVERSALS

Specifics examples of cultural universals:Specifics examples of cultural universals:

Sports, cooking, marriage Sports, cooking, marriage ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, sexual restrictions, medicine, sexual restrictions, medicine, and language (verbal and non-and language (verbal and non-verbal). verbal).

CULTURAL UNIFORMITY OR MONOCULTURALISM Similarity in the Similarity in the expression of cultural universals.expression of cultural universals. CLOBAL CULTURE?CLOBAL CULTURE? Example:Example:

Similar forms of clothing, pop music, consumer Similar forms of clothing, pop music, consumer goods and services, language goods and services, language (English/Spanish/French) and consumer values (English/Spanish/French) and consumer values found in Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Madras, found in Seoul, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Madras, Paris, New York, Cairo, Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Paris, New York, Cairo, Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Toronto, Moscow, Tokyo, Singapore, Camberra, Toronto, Moscow, Tokyo, Singapore, Camberra, Bonies Aires, Mexico City, Kingston, London, Bonies Aires, Mexico City, Kingston, London, etc. etc.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Variations in the Variations in the expression of cultural universals expression of cultural universals across across space and time: E.G.?space and time: E.G.?

VARIATIONS IN LANGUAGE: VARIATIONS IN LANGUAGE: Did You Know….thatDid You Know….that 1) there are approximately 1) there are approximately

7000 languages spoken in the world today? 7000 languages spoken in the world today? 2) 2) Lakota is a gendered language in which women and Lakota is a gendered language in which women and men speak slightly different dialects? men speak slightly different dialects? 3) According 3) According to the to the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (see p.123-125)Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (see p.123-125), the , the language a person uses shapes his or her perception language a person uses shapes his or her perception of reality and therefore his or her thoughts and of reality and therefore his or her thoughts and actions? actions?

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

VARIATIONS IN CULTURES: (Pages 131-134 VARIATIONS IN CULTURES: (Pages 131-134 of Textbook)of Textbook)

1. Value Orientations:1. Value Orientations: High Secular-Rational and High Self-Expressive High Secular-Rational and High Self-Expressive

Values (INDIVIDUALISM)Values (INDIVIDUALISM) Low Secular-Rational and Low Self-Expressive Low Secular-Rational and Low Self-Expressive

Values (COLLECTIVISM)Values (COLLECTIVISM) 2. Emphasis on Human Development:2. Emphasis on Human Development:

Human Choice (INDIVIDUALISM) Human Constraint (COLLECTIVISM)

INDIVIDUALISMCOLLECTIVISMSource: Pacific Resources Education Programs, Inc.

IndependenceIndependence•I’m an individual, unique and special in my own rightI’m an individual, unique and special in my own right•My heroes are those who can claim to be “self-made”.My heroes are those who can claim to be “self-made”.

DependenceDependence•My identity, well-being, survival and self-esteem are My identity, well-being, survival and self-esteem are derived from being a member of the group.derived from being a member of the group.•I avoid individual recognition or attention.I avoid individual recognition or attention.

CompetitionCompetition•Competition brings out the best in me.Competition brings out the best in me.•Competition acts as a motivator to stimulate me to Competition acts as a motivator to stimulate me to excel.excel.

CooperationCooperation•We are only as strong as our weakest link.We are only as strong as our weakest link.•Achievement and success are dependent on how well we Achievement and success are dependent on how well we are able to cooperateare able to cooperate

DirectnessDirectness•To be assertive and sometimes even aggressive is To be assertive and sometimes even aggressive is positive.positive.•Don’t beat around the bush.Don’t beat around the bush.

Indirectness or Saving FaceIndirectness or Saving Face•One is careful not to embarrass or cause dishonor to One is careful not to embarrass or cause dishonor to another.another.•Loss of face has deep meaning and impact on self-esteemLoss of face has deep meaning and impact on self-esteem

Time and Task as PriorityTime and Task as Priority•Agendas, timetables, and promptness help me to Agendas, timetables, and promptness help me to diligently utilize timediligently utilize time

•Time is an invaluable resource not to be wastedTime is an invaluable resource not to be wasted

Interaction as PriorityInteraction as Priority•Courtesy, respect, and sensitivity are key to my Courtesy, respect, and sensitivity are key to my interactions with others.interactions with others.•Getting to know one another has a certain formality to it Getting to know one another has a certain formality to it and can take timeand can take time

IDEAL CULTURE: DIVERSITY AS EQUAL CULTURES: “Horizontal Mosaic”

SUB-CULTURESCOUNTER-CULTURES

SOCIETY

MAINSTREAN CULTURE

“High” Culture

Popular Culture

Ideal culture

Realculture SUBCULTURE

Ideal

Real

Ideal

Real

“High”

Popular

Popular

“High”

MAINSTREAM CULTURE

SUBCULTURE

COUNTER-CULTURE

REAL CULTURE: CULTURAL DIVERSITY AS INEQUALITY OF CULTURES: “Vertical Mosaic”

The Dominant Culture

Accepts the dominant culture

Special subculture that rejects the dominant culture

High

Low

Lower

POLITICS OR IDEOLOGY OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY: MULTICULTURALISM

Ideal Culture = cultural aspirationsIdeal Culture = cultural aspirations Real Culture = cultural practicesReal Culture = cultural practices

Illustration:Illustration: The IDEAL CULTURE of societies such as Canada, Australia and The IDEAL CULTURE of societies such as Canada, Australia and

Singapore. Singapore. seeks to promote the maintenance of the cultures of immigrants seeks to promote the maintenance of the cultures of immigrants

and indigenous people as and indigenous people as horizontal mosaic or cultural equality to horizontal mosaic or cultural equality to mainstream culturemainstream culture. .

The REAL CULTURE of Canada:The REAL CULTURE of Canada: Consists of cultural practices that constitute a Consists of cultural practices that constitute a vertical mosaicvertical mosaic or or

cultural inequalitycultural inequality : Discrimination against people that practice or : Discrimination against people that practice or perceived to be members of non-mainstream cultures. perceived to be members of non-mainstream cultures.

QUIZ 10b

Research findings suggest that Canadian society claims to cherish/value multiculturalism as a horizontal mosaic. However, cultural exclusion is widespread in Canadian institutions and communities. Multiculturalism is therefore………culture in the social structure of Canada.

A) a real B) an ideal C) a counter D) a popular E) a cultural lag

 

MAINSTREAM CULTURE

Dominant expressions of cultural universals Dominant expressions of cultural universals --values, beliefs, attitudes, symbols, --values, beliefs, attitudes, symbols, artifacts, norms, expectations, technology, artifacts, norms, expectations, technology, infrastructure, etc.infrastructure, etc.

Examples: Examples: The WASP culture of Canada.The WASP culture of Canada. Popular cultures of every society.Popular cultures of every society.

SUB-CULTURE

A world within the mainstream culture, with A world within the mainstream culture, with distinctive expression pattern of distinctive expression pattern of traditions, traditions, customs, beliefs, rituals, folkways, language,customs, beliefs, rituals, folkways, language, but but remains compatible remains compatible with the dominant with the dominant values, expectations, norms, etc.values, expectations, norms, etc.

Examples: Examples: The cultures of minority ethnic groups in Canada, The cultures of minority ethnic groups in Canada,

cabdrivers, the police, the army, prostitutes, thieves, cabdrivers, the police, the army, prostitutes, thieves, etc., etc.,

High culture of every society –E.G., Polo, Golf, Ball High culture of every society –E.G., Polo, Golf, Ball Room Dance, Classical Music, etc.Room Dance, Classical Music, etc.

COUNTER-CULTURE

A Special form of subcultureA Special form of subculture Cultures of groups whose values set their Cultures of groups whose values set their

members apart and members apart and in opposition in opposition to certain to certain aspects of the mainstream culture. They aspects of the mainstream culture. They challenge some core values of the mainstream challenge some core values of the mainstream culture. Often the members of the mainstream culture. Often the members of the mainstream culture feel threatened by counter culture.culture feel threatened by counter culture.

Example: Cultures ofExample: Cultures of Hell’s Angels, the Mafia, Gangs, terrorist groups.Hell’s Angels, the Mafia, Gangs, terrorist groups.

DIVERSITY: CULTURAL CONFLICT & CULTURAL HEGEMONY

The existence of mainstream culture, subcultures, The existence of mainstream culture, subcultures, and countercultures on the same territory or space and countercultures on the same territory or space is the basis of culture conflict and cultural is the basis of culture conflict and cultural hegemony.hegemony.

1. Cultural Hegemony1. Cultural Hegemony: : domination of a cultural group by another domination of a cultural group by another

2. Culture Conflict2. Culture Conflict: : Incompatible values, beliefs and practices: Incompatible values, beliefs and practices:

CULTURAL STATIC & CHANGE

Cultural StaticCultural Static: Persistence of cultural systems and/or : Persistence of cultural systems and/or practices: E,g.:practices: E,g.: Traditions and customs Traditions and customs

Culture ChangeCulture Change: Transformation of cultural elements : Transformation of cultural elements and/or practices through discovery, invention/innovation, and/or practices through discovery, invention/innovation, and diffusion: E,g.: Changes in the economy, beliefs, and and diffusion: E,g.: Changes in the economy, beliefs, and technology.technology.

Cultural lagCultural lag: represents uneven change in the : represents uneven change in the cultural elements—changes in the elements of the cultural elements—changes in the elements of the cultural system at different times and speeds—cultural system at different times and speeds—material culture changing faster than non-material material culture changing faster than non-material culture.culture. In other words, a change gap between In other words, a change gap between material culture and non-material culture. material culture and non-material culture.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES OF CULTURE: Sociobiology vs. Sociology SOCIOBIOLOGY: SOCIOBIOLOGY: Biological factors Biological factors

determine human social behaviordetermine human social behavior Cultural patterns are a product of biological Cultural patterns are a product of biological

factors to a significant degree. factors to a significant degree. This is evident This is evident in the existence of CULTURAL in the existence of CULTURAL UNIVERSALS such as marriage and languageUNIVERSALS such as marriage and language

SOCIOLOGY:SOCIOLOGY: Culture is socially constructed and Culture is socially constructed and

transmitted, not DNA based.transmitted, not DNA based.

Sociological CRITICISMS of Sociological CRITICISMS of Sociobiology:Sociobiology: 1. 1. Lack of scientific proof of DNA Lack of scientific proof of DNA

producing culture, but there is empirical producing culture, but there is empirical evidence showing that culture is not a evidence showing that culture is not a product of DNA: product of DNA: The Victor Story.The Victor Story.

2. Culture is the product of human 2. Culture is the product of human interaction with each other, the interaction with each other, the environment, the social structure.environment, the social structure.

3. supports racism, ethnocentrism, 3. supports racism, ethnocentrism, classicism, xenocentrism, and sexismclassicism, xenocentrism, and sexism

QUIZ 11 When a wife and husband argue about who’ll When a wife and husband argue about who’ll

clean the bathroom, for example, or who’ll take clean the bathroom, for example, or who’ll take care of a sick child when they both work outside care of a sick child when they both work outside the home, the issue is simply about a cultural the home, the issue is simply about a cultural universal reflective of biological reproductive universal reflective of biological reproductive factors. What theoretical perspective would agree factors. What theoretical perspective would agree with this view about gender relations?with this view about gender relations?

A) SociobiologyA) Sociobiology B) Social ConflictB) Social Conflict C) FeminismC) Feminism D) Symbolic Interactionism D) Symbolic Interactionism

SOCIOLOGICAL PARADIGMS OF CULTURE Functionalism—YES: HOMEOSTASIS: CULTURAL

CONSENSUS & ADAPTATIONS Social Conflict—NO: POLITICAL ECONOMY:

SOCIAL CLASS & SOCIAL CLOSURE Interactionism—NO: HUMAN AGENCY:

DEFINITION OF CULTURAL SYMBOLS Feminism—NO: PATRIACHAL STRUCTURE &

IDEOLOGY

Does culture adequately account for the immense similarities and differences in the ways people feel, think, live and behave?

SOCIOLOGICAL PARADIGMS OF CULTURE

FUNCTIONALIST PARADIGM: HOMEOSTASISFUNCTIONALIST PARADIGM: HOMEOSTASIS Culture is produced by the social structure to meet the Culture is produced by the social structure to meet the

homeostasis (social stability) needs of society.homeostasis (social stability) needs of society. Cultural universals, uniformities and diversities develop Cultural universals, uniformities and diversities develop

and persist because they are functional --contribute to and persist because they are functional --contribute to cultural consensus and adaptations that help maintain cultural consensus and adaptations that help maintain homeostasis that is of collective benefit. Any cultural homeostasis that is of collective benefit. Any cultural practices that are dysfunctional--don’t contribute to practices that are dysfunctional--don’t contribute to collective benefit--are eliminated.collective benefit--are eliminated.

Values, beliefs and ideas components of culture Values, beliefs and ideas components of culture dictate/control the material elements of culture and the dictate/control the material elements of culture and the behavior of all individual members and groups of societybehavior of all individual members and groups of society

FUNCTIONALIST CLAIMS

1. Culture is a symbolic-material system as well as practices that 1. Culture is a symbolic-material system as well as practices that determine peoples’ determine peoples’ realityreality and define their and define their personalitiespersonalities and and ways of life. ways of life.

2. Culture is the key to what humans become. It is our culture that 2. Culture is the key to what humans become. It is our culture that superimposes the specifics of what we become on our biological superimposes the specifics of what we become on our biological inheritance. It is culture that distinguishes humans from animalsinheritance. It is culture that distinguishes humans from animals

3. Babies do not ‘naturally’ develop into human adults. Human 3. Babies do not ‘naturally’ develop into human adults. Human interaction is necessary to acquire the normal human traits.interaction is necessary to acquire the normal human traits.

4. The individual ‘self’ (‘I’/’Me’) is culturally constructed. That is, our 4. The individual ‘self’ (‘I’/’Me’) is culturally constructed. That is, our active creative parts, thoughts, dreams, and attitudes are the products of active creative parts, thoughts, dreams, and attitudes are the products of our interaction with culture.our interaction with culture.

5. Culture inhabits every aspects of our lives. Culture is the vehicle for our lives, 5. Culture inhabits every aspects of our lives. Culture is the vehicle for our lives, but is not a prison, for there is no outside: culture is anterior, interior and exterior but is not a prison, for there is no outside: culture is anterior, interior and exterior to us.to us.

6. Culture is hegemonic (dominating): It has a limiting effect on thoughts, 6. Culture is hegemonic (dominating): It has a limiting effect on thoughts, speech, behavior, action, inquiry and morality; it exercises power over speech, behavior, action, inquiry and morality; it exercises power over individuals and groups.individuals and groups.

CRITUQUES OF FUCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURE

See page 137 paragraph of Textbook. See page 137 paragraph of Textbook.

SOCIOLOGICAL PARADIGMS OF CULTURE

SOCIAL CONFLICT PARADIGM: POLITICAL SOCIAL CONFLICT PARADIGM: POLITICAL ECONOMY AND SOCIAL CLOSURE (Pages 137-ECONOMY AND SOCIAL CLOSURE (Pages 137-139)139) The powerful, wealthy, and prestigious members of The powerful, wealthy, and prestigious members of

society, the central players of the dominant culture society, the central players of the dominant culture of existing political economy use culture to justify of existing political economy use culture to justify or rationalize or legitimize assimilation, inequality, or rationalize or legitimize assimilation, inequality, exploitation and oppression that are the exploitation and oppression that are the manifestations of class conflict.manifestations of class conflict.

Culture works against lower classes more than Culture works against lower classes more than upper classes.upper classes.

CRITIQUES OF SOCIAL CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURE

See page 139 paragraphs 2-4 of Textbook.See page 139 paragraphs 2-4 of Textbook.

SOCIOLOGICAL PARADIGMS OF CULTURE

INTERACTIONIST PARADIGM: HUMAN INTERACTIONIST PARADIGM: HUMAN AGENCY: Definitions of symbolic situations:AGENCY: Definitions of symbolic situations:

“ “Culture is actively created and recreated Culture is actively created and recreated through social interaction as people go about through social interaction as people go about their everyday lives engaged in negotiations their everyday lives engaged in negotiations of reality based on shared meanings grounded of reality based on shared meanings grounded in cultural symbols.”in cultural symbols.”

Culture is liberating for those who define it as Culture is liberating for those who define it as opportunities, but opportunities, but constrains those who define it as constrains those who define it as dominating.dominating.

CRITIQUES OF INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURE

See the last paragraph of page 139 of See the last paragraph of page 139 of Textbook. Textbook.

SOCIOLOGICAL PARADIGMS OF CULTURE

FEMINISM: PATRIARCHYFEMINISM: PATRIARCHY ““Culture is made by those in power—men. Males make the Culture is made by those in power—men. Males make the

rules and laws and women transmit them” (Anzaldua 1999: 38). rules and laws and women transmit them” (Anzaldua 1999: 38). Patriarchal culture rationalizes and supports patriarchal Patriarchal culture rationalizes and supports patriarchal

structure (inequality and oppression of females/women) structure (inequality and oppression of females/women) and the ideology of sexism that drives it.and the ideology of sexism that drives it.

Culture works against the lives andCulture works against the lives and behavior of females/women behavior of females/women more than males/men.more than males/men.

Women’s resistance of patriarchal culture causes gender Women’s resistance of patriarchal culture causes gender conflict that initiates egalitarian changes in culture conflict that initiates egalitarian changes in culture

CRITIQUES OF FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE OF CULTURE

Underestimates the powerUnderestimates the power of of women in the construction of the women in the construction of the core values of a culture.core values of a culture.

CONCLUSION

Because our very existence and understanding Because our very existence and understanding of ourselves is a product of our culture, and our of ourselves is a product of our culture, and our socialization into it, we are not aware of the socialization into it, we are not aware of the nature of that culture. Like a fish that has nature of that culture. Like a fish that has never been out of water, and able to compare it never been out of water, and able to compare it with its absence, we cannot and do not exist with its absence, we cannot and do not exist outside of culture. Conversely, social scientists outside of culture. Conversely, social scientists who know more about the nature of society and who know more about the nature of society and culture are not normal—we’re weird (Bartle culture are not normal—we’re weird (Bartle 2004: Page 59). 2004: Page 59).