1. Sociology of CultureGS 138: Introduction to Sociology Seth Allen

2. What is culture?Culture is the knowledge, language, values, customs,and material objects that are passed from one personand from one generation to the next in a humangroup or societyCulture includes:Material Culture Non-material culture I-Pods Human RightsCarsBeauty BooksDeferring to EldersClothing Religion Weapons of war Patriotism 3. Culture, Part Deux Culture is NOT society-culture is a blueprintfor how we live, think and act, while societyis a group of people within a geographic area Culture guides our thoughts and actions: Communism is bad Adults should be free to do what pleases themwithout interference from others Artsy or techie types use Apple products,everybody else uses PC If we work hard and get a college degree, we willmake it in society. There is one God, not many gods 4. Cultural Universals Cultural universals are basic traits, butthere is much variation to these traits andwhat constitutes a violation of norm* Murdock (1945) listed these universals: Division of labor Incest taboo Marriage Family Rites of Passage 5. Five Components of CultureAlthough there are a few cultural universals, thenumber of cultural differences outweighs what hehave in common.Functionalists see cultural universals as proof ofuniversal human needs for order and meaning,while critical theorists view them in light ofcolonialism and the imposition of a certaincultures beliefs onto others.The 5 components of culture are:1. Norms2. Values3. Symbols4. Language5. Material Culture(These components might show up on an exam.AHEM!!!) 6. Component #1 - Symbols Not universal-specific to a culture Can be icons, images, gestures, andtangible things 7. Power of SymbolsWhat do you think this persons intent is?How does it make you feel? 8. Component #2 - Language Sociologists study both official rules oflanguage, various types of registers, and theconnotations of words/phrases White collar employment, formal and informalsecond person prounoun in Spanish (You=Tu,Usted) Slang/colloquialisms unite a group and divideothers Sapir-Worf Hypothesis- language shapesthe view of reality of its speakers. If peopleare able to think only through language, thenlanguage must precede thought. 9. Teen Talk on the WebDoes slang exclude certain groups of people? 10. Component #3 - ValuesValues are collective ideas about what we believe is good or bad, desirable and undesirable in lifeRobin Williams 10 Core American Values Individualism Achievement & SuccessActivity and WorkScience & TechnologyProgress & Comfort Efficiency & Practicality Morality &Equality humanitarianism FreedomRacism & group superiority 11. Changing Values Through conflicts that arise in valuecontradiction, values shift over time: Future of American values: Kendall-Going green, Spirituality, HonestRelationships Richard Florida-Creativity, Work-Life Balance Seth Allen-Self-actualization Examples of these emerging values-Popularity ofOprah, Dr. Phil, the best-selling books Your Best LifeNow by Joel Osteen and The Purpose-Driven Life byRick WarrenWhat do you think are some emerging American values? 12. Component #4 NormsNorms are established rules of behavior or standards of conduct, not just ideas or ideals Either formal (codified in law) or informal(subject to reproach of others) Prescriptive (Write a thank you letter toeveryone who gave you a wedding gift) andproscriptive (Dont wear white after LaborDay) Societal sanctions are ranked by severity:Folkways Mores Taboos 13. Social Distance and Norms Lets try this as a group!!! 14. Component #5 - Material CultureAny tangible thing a society produces 15. Cultural ChangeCultures change through three methods: Discoveries-new tools, practices, and inventionsthat change culture (Ex. Printing press, birth controlpill) and often led to cultural lag (norms do notmach with new technologies) Diffusion-two groups contact one another and onegroups takes on the traits of new groups (Ex. Influxof Latinos and popularity of Mexican food in USA) Invention-modifying an existing tool or trait for anew cultural setting (Ex. Facebook) 16. Applying Theories of CulturalChangeHow might the sexual revolution of the 1960s be related to the invention of the pill in the 1950s? What sociological concept does this exemplify? 17. Cultural Relativism andEthnocentrism Ethnocentrism-judging the practices ofanother culture by ones own culture Ex.-Why do people from other cultures stand so close? Cultural Relativism-Judging the culturalpractices of another culture by the valuefor that culture Ex.-Jews and the prohibition of eating pork 18. Functionalist Perspective onCulture Culture is the glue of society-unitingdiverse peoples by their tastesHow might functionalists approach religion and its function for society? 19. Conflict Perspectives on Culture Culture is the means by which the ruling class dominates other classes, creating a false sense of unity, creating needs, and reinforcing negative stereotypes to oppress groups.How might the cover of Vogue Magazine and concept of being hood rich reinforce the conflict perspective of culture? 20. Quote from Herbert MancuseExcerpt from One-Dimensional Man, p. 429If the worker and his boss enjoy the sametelevision program and visit the same resortplaces, if the typist is as attractively made upas the daughter of her employer, if the Negroowns a Cadillac, if they all read the samenewspaper, then this assimilation indicatesnot the disappearance of classes, but theextent to which the needs and satisfactionsthat serve the preservation of theEstablishment are shared by the underlyingpopulation. 21. Symbolic Interactionism on Culture People negotiate social reality by their interactions with others; we create, manipulate, and transform culture through our actionsHow might a woman allowing a man to open a door for her orpeople shaking hands with the president create a social reality?