Cultural Variations

Variations Among cultures

Cultural Universals Cultural traits that exist in all cultures Universal human activities that have NO universally accepted way of doing them Specific nature of traits can vary widely (cultural particulars) ex. Family, housing, food, jobs, celebrations, etc. Why do they exist? Meet basic biological needs Meet physical environment needs Societies face social problems Identified by George Murdock (1945)

Sociobiology Belief that human behavior is the result of biology Natural selection has chosen certain traits to become common to a species vs. disappear Religion, competition/cooperation, slavery/genocide, war/peace, envy/altruism can be explained in terms of genetic programming (Edward Wilson) Rejected by most sociologists Humans capable of reasoning & abstract thought (we consider alternatives, reflect on outcomes, and make choices)

Variations within a culture

Subcultures Groups whose values and related behaviors are so distinct that they set their members off from the dominant culture Each subculture is a world within a larger world of dominant culture Accept society’s broad values while sharing values, norms, and behaviors unique to subgroup Ex. Age, gender, ethnic/race, religious, political, geographic, social-class, occupational (p. 50)

Countercultures Groups whose values set their members in opposition to the dominant culture Usually associated in negative behavior, however, not always… Ex. Mormons (1800s) challenged the core value of monogamy Perceived as a threat to dominant culture as they challenge or reject a culture’s values