Transcript sociology - s3.amazonaws.com

SOCIOLOGY
Chapter 2
Lecture Questions
Section 1 (pgs. 23-29)
Revised Feb. 2010
Did you know?




The term culture originated
from two Latin words: colere
and cultus.
The verb colere means “to till
the land,” and the participle
cultus means “planted” or
“cultivated.”
In a way, culture is similar to a
society’s “harvest”—or all that
a people cares for, practices,
and produces.
Culture is a key focus of
sociology because it is the
feature that distinguishes one
human group from another.
Sociology



Many believe that humans are not
controlled by natural instincts.
Because humans are not locked into a
set of predetermined behaviors, they
are able to adapt to and change their
environment.
These methods form the foundation of
culture.
1. What is the meaning of the
term culture?


Culture is the
shared products of
human groups.
These products
include physical
objects and the
beliefs, values, and
behaviors shared
by a group.




2. What is the difference between
material culture and nonmaterial
culture?
Material culture are objects
that people create.
Examples of material culture
include cars, books, buildings,
clothing, computers, and
cooking utensils.
Nonmaterial culture are
abstract human creations.
Examples of nonmaterial
culture include beliefs, family
patterns, ideas, language,
political and economic
systems, rules, skills, and work
practice.
3. What is the difference between
culture and society?




In everyday speech,
people tend to use the
terms interchangeably.
However, sociologists
distinguish between the
two.
A society is a group of
interdependent people who
have organized in such a
way as to share a common
culture and feeling of
unity.
Culture consists of the
material and nonmaterial
products that people
create.
4. How do you acquire your culture?
► Culture
is both learned and shared.
► It does not mean that everyone in the U.S.
dresses the same way or belongs to the same
church.
► It does mean that most people in the U.S. choose
from among the same broad set of material and
nonmaterial elements culture.
► For example, many languages are spoken in the
U.S.; however, English is the most shared
language.
5. What are the five components of
culture?





Technology
Symbols
Language
Values
Norms
6. Describe how technology is a
component of culture.
Technology is the combination
of objects and rules.
For example, an
understanding of how silicon
chips work or a knowledge of
computer language are all
skills related to the computer.
Sociologists are not only
interested in skills but also in
the rules of acceptable
behavior when using material
culture.
“Hacking” would be considered
an unacceptable behavior.
7. Describe how symbols
are a component of culture.
•
•
•
•
•
It is through symbols that we
create our culture and
communicate it to group members
and future generations.
A symbol is anything that
represents something else.
In other words, a symbol has a
shared meaning attached to it.
Any word, gesture, image, sound,
physical object, event, or element
of the natural world.
A church service, a class ring, the
word hello, the Lincoln Memorial,
and a handshake are examples of
common symbols in the U.S.
8. Describe how language is a
component of culture.
Language is one of the
most obvious aspects of
any culture.
Language is very simply
an organization of written
or spoken symbols into a
standardized system.
Have you ever visited a
foreign country and been
unable to speak the
language?
If so, you will realize how
important the use of
language is in daily life.
9. Describe how values are
a component of culture.
• Values are shared beliefs about what
is good or bad, right or wrong,
desirable or undesirable.
• Language allows us to communicate
our values to future generations.
• The types of values held by a group
help to determine the character of
its people.
10. Describe how norms are a
component of culture.
All groups create norms to enforce
their cultural values
Norms are shared rules of conduct
that tell people how to act in specific
situations.
It is important to keep in mind the
norms are expectations for behavior,
not actual behavior
11. Describe the Yanomamo culture.
 Farmers on the border between Brazil
and Venezuela.
 Studied by anthropologist Napoleon
Chagnon, who called them Fierce
People.
 Warfare and feats of male strength
play an important role in daily life.
 30% of male deaths are the result of
wounds received in warfare
 Farming villages can usually support
500-1000 people, but the Yanomamo
rarely have villages larger than 200
people.
 Conflicts within the village usually
cause groups to split off and form new
settlements.
 Most instances of warfare occur
between split villages.
12. Describe the San culture.





Hunter-gatherers in South Africa (Kalahari
desert)
Way of life is based on cooperation
San groups have their own territories, and they
take great care not to trespass on the lands of
others.
Within groups, all members—except for the very
young, the very old, and the sick—take part in
the search for food.
The group shares the game it has hunted with all
its members.
Exploring Cultural Diversity
• The diversity of world
languages has created
some funny mistakes
as the economy has
become more global.
• General Motors
executives wondered
why their Chevy Nova
cars were not selling
well in Spanishspeaking countries.
• Management learned
that no va in Spanish
means “it won’t go.”
Sociology in the World Today




The Cossacks of Russia are
the modern descendents of
groups of soldiers for hire from
Central Asia.
The Cossacks have preserved
values from their history as a
race of warriors.
For example, many Cossacks
revere military service and
value extreme order and harsh
punishment for wrong-doings.
Today more than 5 million
Russians identify themselves
as Cossacks, although it is not
an identifiable ethnic group.
13. Describe and give
examples of folkways.





Norms that describe socially acceptable behavior but do not have great
moral significance attached to them.
In essence, they outline the common customs of everyday life.
Examples of folkways include: not standing for the National Anthem at a
sporting event, talking out-loud during a church service, picking your
nose in public or cutting in line at the grocery store.
Failure to abide by such rules usually results in a reprimand or a minor
punishment.
Some degree of nonconformity to folkways is permitted because it does
not endanger the well-being or stability of society.
14. Describe and give examples of
mores.
Mores have great moral significance attached to
them.
This relation exists because the violation of such
rules endangers society’s well-being and
stability.
For example, dishonesty, fraud, and murder all
greatly threaten society.
15. Describe and give
examples of laws.




Societies have established punishments for
violating mores in order to protect the social wellbeing.
These serious mores are formalized as laws—
written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by
the government.
Most laws enforce mores essential to social
stability, such as those against arson, murder, rape,
and theft.
However, laws may also enforce less severe
folkways, such as not parking in spaces reserved
for drivers with disabilities.
16. Why is culture considered
“dynamic?”





Culture is continually changing.
New material objects are constantly being introduced, as
are new words, expressions, and ideas.
If cultures are so vast and complicated and are
constantly changing, how do sociologists study them?
Sociologists examine a culture by breaking it down into
levels and studying each level separately.
The features of a culture can be divided into three levels
of complexity: traits, complexes, and patterns.
Political Correctness




During the 1970s the term politically correct, which
referred to the liberal view of what is socially
acceptable, gained popularity.
The term was valuable in increasing people’s sensitivity
to offensive words and actions.
In time, however, the term politically correct, became trite
as some people used it to support extreme views.
By the 1990s jokes about some of the absurd uses of
the term were common and being politically incorrect
even gained popularity among some people.
17. Describe and give examples of
cultural traits.





A cultural trait is the simplest level of culture.
It is the individual tool, act, or belief that is
related to a particular situation or need.
Using knives, forks, and spoons when eating is a
culture trait.
Another trait is the specific greeting used when
meeting people, like “hi”.
In the game of football, the helmet, shoulder
pads, and rules are all cultural traits.
18. Describe and give examples of
culture complexes.
• Individual culture traits combine to form the next level—culture
complexes.
• A culture complex is a cluster of interrelated traits.
• The game of baseball is a culture complex that involves a variety
of traits.
• Material traits include shoes (cleats), baseball, bat, cap, and the
dugout for the players.
• Hitting, catching, throwing, running the bases and the belief that
certain rules should be followed are specific beliefs related to the
game.
19. Describe and give examples of culture
patterns.





Culture complexes combine to form larger levels called
culture patterns.
A culture pattern is the combination of a number of culture
complexes into an interrelated whole.
For example, the separate complexes of baseball, basketball,
football, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track combine to form
the American athletic pattern.
Other patterns relate to such aspects of society as agriculture,
education, family life, manufacturing, and religion.
These patterns form important components of a society’s
culture.
20. On page 28, to what shrine is
Miner referring? What does the box
or chest in the shrine represent?
What are the various rites and
rituals described by Miner?
 The shrine is the bathroom.
 The box or chest is the medicine cabinet.
 The various rites and rituals are washing,
brushing teeth, shaving and curling hair.
SOCIOLOGY
Chapter 2
Lecture Questions
Section 2 (pgs. 30-39)
Let’s get started


Does anyone know of any foreign cultural practices that differ greatly from American cultural practices?
For example, during a traditional Japanese dinner:










Friends bring a small gift to show appreciation for the hospitality of the meal.
Shoes are removed and slippers put on when entering the house.
They will suggest that you take the place of honor at the table; decline a couple of times before accepting.
The table will be very low to the floor and without chairs, you will have to kneel or sit on the floor. Do not stretch
your legs out under the table.
It is bad manners to point the soles of your feet at someone.
During the meal, lift your bowl to your chest; then grip a bite-sized piece of food with your chopsticks and move it
from the bowl to your mouth.
Slurping while eating soup or noodles is acceptable.
Never pour a drink for yourself, pour drinks for others and someone else will fill your drink.
After the meal, do not leave a mess, place chopsticks on your plate and fold your napkin neatly.
Despite the varieties of cultures in the world, all cultures have certain things in common.
Cultures can differ widely




For example, if you count only
the languages that have more
than 2 million speakers, there
are more than 220 different
languages in the world today.
If you include all the local
languages, the number is
enormous
In addition, because there may
be dialects of the same basic
language, even people who
speak the same language may
have difficulty understanding
one another.
For example, in the English
language, British English,
American English, Canadian
English, and Australian English
are just a few of the possible
variations.
1. What are cultural
universals, and why do they
exist?
• Cultural universals are traits common
to all culturals.
• These needs are so basic that all
societies must develop certain
features to ensure their fulfillment.
2. Describe what George
Murdock’s research found.




Anthropologist in the 1940s
Examined hundreds of different cultures in an attempt to
determine what general traits are common to all cultures.
Murdock used his research to compile a list of more than
65 cultural universals.
Body adornment, cooking, dancing, family, feasting,
forms of greeting, funeral ceremonies, gift giving,
housing, language, medicine, music, myths and folklore,
religion, sports, and toolmaking.
3. Using the visual on page 31, in
what ways is this Indian wedding
different from a traditional
American wedding?

The traditional Indian wedding costumes differ
from those of traditional American weddings,
such as the white dress for the bride.
 In addition, the leis and the ties connecting the
Indian couple are not part of the traditional
American wedding ceremony.
Margaret
Mead
Anthropologist
Held various positions
at the American
Museum of National
History in New York
City.
Made numerous field
trips to the South
Seas, where she
observed primitive
societies.
In addition to writing
several books in
anthropology, Mead
became a well-known
celebrity.
She spoke out on
women’s rights and
world hunger.
4. Describe what Margaret Mead’s
research found. What did she
conclude about temperament?





In the 1930s she conducted a now-classic study
of cultural variation.
Her purpose in the study was to determine
whether differences in basic temperament—the
fundamental emotional disposition of a person—
result mainly from inherited characteristics or
from cultural influences.
She lived among the people of New Guinea and
participated in their activities.
Two of the societies she examined were the
Arapesh and Mundugumor, who lived only about
100 miles apart.
Her conclusion is that temperament is mainly the
result of culture rather than biology.
5. Describe the Arapesh.
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
Contented, gentle, nonaggressive, receptive, trusting, and warm
people.
Their society is based on complete cooperation.
They live in close-knit villages consisting of clans—families with a
common ancestor.
The women bring in firewood and water, prepare daily meals and carry
goods from place to place.
The men clear and fence the land, build and repair the houses, carry
heavier loads, hunt, plant and care for certain crops, and cook and
carve ceremonial food.
Both men and women take care of the children.
The children grow up in a very loving and friendly social environment.
Children are discouraged from displaying any aggression toward
others.
6. Describe the Mundugumor.
Very aggressive, competitive, jealous, and violent.
They delight in showing off and fighting.
Until the government banned such activities, they were headhunters.
There is open hostility among all members of the same sex.
They must reside, scattered throughout the bush.
There is great hostility between father and sons, brothers, mothers and
daughters, and sisters.
The only ties between members of the same sex are through members of
the opposite sex.
These occur through a form of social organization called the rope. (fatherdaughters-his daughter’s son, etc.)
When a person dies, his property is passed down the rope.
Wealth and power for males come mainly from having a large number of
wives.
Child-rearing involves the infant being carried in a rigid basket, with little
contact with the mother.
Children are not picked up or comforted.
Children receive slaps and other physical punishments for breaking rules.
Religion in the U.S. and
Canada
•
•
•
•
•
•
The cultures of Canada and the U.S. may seem similar on the
surface.
Both countries speak English, have democratic governments, and
are located in North America.
However, a 1996 poll of Canadian and U.S. cities found some
striking differences regarding religion and politics in the two
countries.
Significantly more Americans said that they go to church and pray
than Canadians did.
In addition, more than twice as many Americans as Canadians said
that religion influences their political opinions.
Although a large majority of Canadians said they would be willing
to vote for an atheist candidate, fewer than half of Americans
would be willing to do so.
7. Using page 34, what is Whorf’s
main point about language?

Language shapes the way people perceive
the real world and what is significant in it.
8. What is ethnocentrism?





It is not unusual for people to have a negative
response to cultural traits that differ drastically
from their own.
This tendency to view one’s own culture and
group as superior is called ethnocentrism.
People in all societies are, at times, ethnocentric.
The belief that the characteristics of one’s group
or society are right and good helps to build group
unity.
However, when ethnocentrism becomes extreme,
groups and societies run the risk of excluding new
influences that might prove beneficial, thus
stagnating the development of culture.
9. Using visual on page 35, how
might these cultural traditions be
visible in everyday life?

By the foods that different people choose
to eat and how people prepare those
foods.
10. What is meant by cultural
relativism?
Social scientists attempt to keep an open
mind toward cultural variations.
 They must adopt an attitude in which
cultures are judged by their own
standards rather than by applying the
standards of another culture.
 In other words, researchers who
practices from the points of view of the
members of the society being studied.

Disgusting Foods Video
11. Using the visual on page 36, how
might cultural relativism help you
explain this image?
• Cultural relativism helps explain that the family
wearing black are dressed differently from the
other beachgoers because the family is Amish
and has different cultural beliefs about proper
dress for the beach.
12. What is cultural discontinuity?
Why might it be a particular
problem for students who belong to
racial and ethnic minority groups?
(page 37)
When members of a subculture find
their beliefs, values, or practices at
odds with those of the larger or
predominant culture.
 Because public schools promote and
value the culture traits of the
predominant culture.

13. Who developed the
idea of a subculture? What
is a subculture?
• Edwin Sutherland developed the idea of
subcultures in the 1920s, through his work
on crime and juvenile deliquency.
• Groups who share values, norms and
behaviors that are not shared by the entire
population. Examples include, San
Francisco’s Chinatown, Little Havana in
Miami and the Navajo of the Southwest.
• Other examples include, the military, the
police, lawyers, physicians, teachers, and
religious leaders.
14. Using the map on page 38, what
states had the highest number of
immigrants? What types of questions
might the information on this map lead
sociologists to pose about
demographics and cultural patterns?


California, Florida, and New York
Some questions might include, how cultural
patterns might differ in states with higher
immigrant populations.
15. What is the difference between
a subculture and a counterculture?



Most subcultures do not reject all of the values
and practices of the larger society and do not
present a threat to society.
However, countercultures consciously intend to
challenge the values of the larger society.
Examples include, anarchists, organized crime
families, and the hippie movement of the 1960s.
Sometimes a group rejects the major values,
norms, and practices of the larger society and
replaces them with a new set of cultural
patterns.
16. Using the visual on page 39,
what clues does this photo offer
about the values and norms of the
hippie counterculture?
Might include an appreciation of the
outdoors and relaxed living.
17. What factors account for
variations among and within
cultures?

Unique cultural practices of various
subgroups.