Chapter 3 Chapter 3 CultureCulture

Section 1 Objective Culture defines how

people in a society behave in relation to others and to physical objects. Although most behavior among animals is instinctual, human behavior is learned. Even reflexes and drives do not completely determine how humans will behave, because people are heavily influenced by culture.

• explain how culture and heredity affect social behavior.

Define the following vocab

Culture

Society

Instincts

Reflexes

Drives

Sociobiology

Fill in the Blanks Culture provides the ___1___ ___2___

that people in a society use to guide ___3____ _____4____ ___5__ ___6___.

1. Blue 4. Relationships

2. Print 5. With

3. Their 6. Others

What 2 things can not exist without

each other?CultureSociety

These 2 are tightly interwoven.

Behavior based on culture culture is learned behavior

Which is more important? Culture or Instinct.

Culture is the more important of the 2.

It can carry us past where instinct leaves off.

What is the nature vs. nurture argument? Is it

justified? How much of

personality is heredity & how much of it is learned behavior?

You can justify either direction, with the right argument.

Why do genetically inherited

personality traits not control social

behavior?

Different cultures teach them different

things.

What behaviors are viewed by sociobiologists to contribute to

the survival of the species? Parental care &

Affection Friendship

Sexual Reproduction

Education

List 3 criticisms of Sociobiology

Importance placed genetics could be used to justify races superior or inferior

To much variation in societies around the globe to base behavior solely on genetics

Use of language unique to humans, as well as the complex social life

When genetics and culture work together what has been found?

Shape and limit human nature and social life

Step-parents are more likely to abuse step-children than their own children

Men & Women look for different characteristics when choosing a spouse

Section 1 Main Ideas:

Culture defines how people in a society behave in relation to others and to physical objects. Although most behavior among animals is instinctual, human behavior is learned.

The Basis Of Culture

Section 2 Objectives Humans can create

and transmit culture. The symbols of language play a role in determining people’s views of reality.

• describe how language and culture are related.

Define the following vocab

Symbols

Hypotheses of linguistic relativity

Why are symbols

important?

Help to create and transmit culture

Make up Language

Meaningful representation of

something

Why is language important?

Allows us to create culture

Allows us to read, discuss, & recombine existing ideas

Can pass along experiences, ideas, & knowledge

What can vocab tell us about a culture?

When something is important to a society, its language will have many words to describe it. Americans w/

Money

Are we prisoners of our Language?

Exposure to other languages gives us other view points. If we only know & use 1 language we are stuck.

Section 2 Main Ideas:

Humans can create and transmit culture. The symbols of language play a role in determining people’s view of reality.

Language and

Culture

Section 3 Objectives The essential

components of culture are norms, values, beliefs, and material objects. Sanctions are used to encourage conformity to norms. Values, the broadest cultural ideas, form the basis for norms.

name the essential components of culture.

Define the following Norms Sanctions

Folkways Formal Sanctions

Mores Informal Sanctions

Taboo Values

Law

List some norms in American

life.

List 5 and explain each of

them

What are the 3 types of norms?

Folkways

Mores

Laws

List some examples of folkways.

Supporting a school activity

Speaking to others in passing

Removing your hat while inside a building

See the chart on pg. 82

Failure to do these draws no real punishment, but you do these as a sign of politeness.

How are mores

different from

folkways?Conformity draws

strong social approval, violation

brings strong disapproval

Why are the punishments for taboos so

strong?

Because the feelings against these are so strong some believe

punishment will come from the supernatural

Cite the differences between

Folkways/Mores

Emerge slowly & are often created unconsciously

Laws

Consciously create & enforce (usually don’t change)

How are sanctions used

to shape behavior?

Rewards are used to encourage

appropriate behavior while punishment reinforces that the

behavior is unacceptable

How have American norms change in relation

to values? Racism on decline

People working as hard at leisure activities as the do at work

Increased emphasis on honesty & friendliness

Section 3 Main Ideas:

Two essential components of culture are norms and values. Norms include folkways, mores, and laws. Sanctions are used to encourage conformity to norms. Values, the broadest cultural ideas, form the basis for norms.

Norms and

Values

Section 4 Objective Besides norms and

values, beliefs and physical objects make up culture. Ideal culture includes the guidelines we claim to accept, while real culture describes how we actually behave.

understand the role of ethnocentrism in society.

Define these important words

Nonmaterial culture

Beliefs

Material culture

Ideal culture

Real culture

What makes up a culture?

Values

Norms

Knowledge

Ideas

Physical objects

T/F beliefs can be

based on false

thoughts?

True

Check out this picture and think

about some others

Why is the cultural meaning of physical objects not determined by

physical characteristics? Meaning of

physical objects are based on beliefs, norms, & values people hold with regard to them

Using the topic of honesty, cite an example of ideal vs. real culture.

Section 4 Main Ideas:

Besides norms and values, beliefs and physical objects make up culture. Ideal culture includes the guidelines we claim to accept, while real culture describes how we actually behave.

Beliefs and

Material Culture

Section 5 Objective Cultures change

according to three major processes. Cultures contain groups within them called subcultures and countercultures that differ in important ways from the main culture. People tend to make judgments based on the values of their own cultures. While apparently very different on the surface, all cultures have common traits or elements that sociologists call cultural universals.

identify similarities in cultures around the world.

More vocab! (Yeah!) Social Categories

Subculture

Counterculture

Ethnocentrism

Cultural Universals

Cultural Particulars

What are 3 reasons cultures change?

Discovery process of finding something already in existence

What are 3 reasons cultures change?

Invention creation of something new

What are 3 reasons cultures change?

Diffusion borrowing aspects of culture from other culture

Give an example of a subculture & reasons why?

Chinatown American culture effected greatly; but have retained things such as language, diet, & family structures

Why is “Punk” considered a

counterculture?

Rebellion against social norm of

thinking, dress, behavior, &

sexuality

Why are the Olympics seen as ethnocentric?

Country’s medal standing is taken as a reflection of their worth & status on the world stage

Give the “Pros” & “Cons” of ethnocentrism.

Pro

Postive feelings when what they do is right or superior

Stability due to tradition & valued behavior

Con

Complacency (not ingenuity)

Violence against others due to lack of understanding

List some cultural universals

Sports/ cooking/ courtship/ education/ family/ government/ joking/ language/ mourning & marriage/ music/ sexual restrictions

What 3 things cause cultural universals?

Biological similarities

Physical environment

Face same social problems

Section 5 Main Ideas:

Cultures, which contain subcultures and countercultures, change through three major processes.

Cultural Diversity

and Similarity