Part II – the Individual and Society Chapter 3: Culture and Society Lecture #4
What is Culture? “the ways of life of the individual members or groups within a society”
What is Culture? -Man-made -“Shared” by members of a society -“Learned” “Achieved” -“transmitted” thru the socialization process or human interaction
What constitutes Culture? -Material -Non-Material
What constitutes Culture? Material The physical objects that a society creates and uses Non-Material The abstract creations of a society Values Norms (including laws) etc.
What constitutes Culture? Values “the abstract ideals” (P. 48) Socially shared ideas about what is right.
What constitutes Culture? Norms “definite principles or rules people are expected to observe” (P. 48)
What constitutes Culture? Material Cultures ↑ Norms ↑ Values
Nature and Nurture Human beings Nature “Biological” “Genetic” “Given” Nurture “Cultural” “Achieved”
Nature and Nurture “Nature” vs. “Nurture” Which determines human actions and behaviors? What is the relationships between “Nature” and “Nurture”?
Nature and Nurture Sociobiology “the application of biological principles to explain the social activities of animals, including human beings.” (P. 50) Human beings ≒ Animals “Our generic makeup accounts for most aspects of social life.” (P.54)
Nature and Nurture Sociology vs. Sociobiology “biological reductionism” Incest taboo
Nature and Nurture Sociology vs. Sociobiology Cultural diversity
Cultural Change How does “culture” change? Contacts Communications Processes of interaction b/w different cultures
Cultural Change -Colonization
Cultural Change -Immigration -War -“Globalization” Transportation (tourism); Communication
Culture and Globalization “Music Goes Global” Now?
Culture and Globalization Music Global Now? Dick Lee
“Music Goes Global” now?
Cultural Change What happens when different cultures meet? -Acculturation -Assimilation -Accommodation
Cultural Change What happens when different cultures meet? Acculturation People from one advanced cultures (civilization) incorporate norms and values from other cultures into their own through a process.
Cultural Change What happens when different cultures meet? Assimilation Culturally distinct groups within a society of an advanced culture adopt the norms and values of that advanced culture and gain equal statuses in its groups and institutions.
Cultural Change What happens when different cultures meet? Accommodation The process by which a smaller, less powerful group or society is able to maintain the major features of its culture even after prolonged contact with a larger, stronger culture. “Newyorican”
Cultural Change George Ritzer “McDonalization of Society” “efficiency” “predictability” “control” “calculability”
Cultural Change “McDonalization of Society”?
Values ↓ Norms ↓ Material Cultures
Cultural Change Assimilation / Subcultures Countercultures Accommodation
Cultural Change Ethnocentrism Cultural relativism (pluralism)
Cultural Change Cultural relativism How much can we allow diversity of culture?