Chapter 2: Cultural diversity Mrs. Hansen/ Sociology Chapter 2: Cultural diversity

Section 1: The Meaning of Culture What is Culture? Material Vs. Non material Cars, clothes, computers, cell phones, books, buildings Beliefs, family patterns, ideas, language, political and economic systems

Society Vs. Culture Sociologist distinguish between the two Society =people Culture= material and non material products that people create

Components of Culture: Technology Symbols Language Values Norms

Technology Physical objects and the rules for using those objects Using tools requires knowledge of various skills Sociologist interested in skills but the rules of acceptable behavior when using material culture

Symbols Through symbols we create culture and communicate it to group members and future generations Symbols have a shared meaning attached to them Any word, gesture, image, sound, physical object, event, or element of the natural world Everyone must understand the symbol in order for it to have meaning!

Language: Organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system Used daily to communicate and express ideas

Values: Shared Beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable The type of value held by a group help to determine the character of its people and the kinds of material and nonmaterial culture they create The Yanomamo and the San people

Norms Shared rules of conduct that tell people how act in specific situations These are expectations for behavior not the actual behavior Norms range in importance Covering your mouth when you yawn Don’t kill another human being Some apply to everyone others apply to select groups Marriage

Folkways Mores Laws Norms without great moral significance Norms with a lot of moral significance Laws Written norms enacted and enforced by governments that must be followed

Examining Culture Norms are Dynamic instead of Static Sociologists break down culture into levels and studying them separately Three Levels Culture Traits Culture Complexes Culture Patterns

Culture Traits Simplest level of culture An individual tool, act, or belief that is related to a particular situation or need. Using utensils when eating Specific greetings when meeting people

Culture Complexes: Individual Culture traits combine to form complexes A cluster of interrelated traits Example = Football The ball, measuring chain, gear, and benches are the material traits Kicking, passing, running, catching, blocking and tackling are the acts of football There are also beliefs like following the rules, etc. In an industrial society a variety of Complexes exist and can be studied

Culture Patterns Complexes combine to form patterns The combination of a number of culture complexes Example= Football, baseball, basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis and track combine to form the American athletic pattern Other examples are related to specific areas of society Agriculture, religion, education, family life, and manufacturing

All of these combine to form a society’s culture!!!