THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 1 CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Section 2: Cultural Variation

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 2 Objectives:  Define the meaning of the term culture and explain how material culture and non- material culture differ.  Identify and describe the basic components of culture. Section 1: The Meaning of Culture

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 3 Culture  Culture – consists of all the shared products of human groups which include physical objects, beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a groupClip Clip  Material Culture – are physical objects that people create and use such as books, buildings, clothing, and cooking  Nonmaterial Culture – are abstract human creations that include beliefs, family patterns, ideas, and language Section 1: The Meaning of Culture

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 4 CULTURE all the shared products of human groups Material Culture physical objects that people create and use Examples automobiles, books, buildings, clothing, computers, and cooking Examples beliefs, family patterns, ideas, language, political and economic systems, and rules Non material Culture abstract human creations

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 5 Basic Components of Culture  Technology – physical objects and rules for using them  Symbols – anything that represents something else and has a shared meaning  Language – the organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system  Values – shared beliefs about what is good and bad or right or wrong  Norms – shared rules of conduct (Folkways v. Mores) Section 1: The Meaning of Culture

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 6 Objectives:  Describe cultural universals and explain why they exist.  Explain what the terms ethnocentrism and cultural relativism mean.  Identify factors that account for variations among and within cultures. Section 2: Cultural Variation

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 7 Cultural Universals  Cultural universals – general traits common to all cultures  Exist because some needs are so basic that all societies must develop certain features to ensure their fulfillment Section 2: Cultural Variation

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 8 Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior to all others. culture and group as superior to all others. - Ethnocentrism Clip Ethnocentrism Clip Ethnocentrism Clip People in all societies are at times ethnocentric. People in all societies are at times ethnocentric. When ethnocentrism is too extreme, cultural growth When ethnocentrism is too extreme, cultural growth may stagnate. may stagnate. – Limiting the number of immigrants into a society can cause this. Extreme ethnocentrism can also lead to conflicts such as wars. Extreme ethnocentrism can also lead to conflicts such as wars. Section 2: Cultural Variation

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 9 Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Cultural relativism is the belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards. Cultural relativism is the belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards. – Researchers attempt to understand cultural practices from the point of view of the people they are studying.  Participant Observation useful Section 2: Cultural Variation

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 10 Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Cultural relativism helps sociologists in understanding why people in different societies have different cultural norms. Cultural relativism helps sociologists in understanding why people in different societies have different cultural norms. – – e.g. the Sepoy Rebellion of India in 1857 gunpowder cartridges were sealed with pig or beef fat, both are religiously offensive to Hindu and Muslims Section 2: Cultural Variation

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON 11 Factors That Account for Variations Among and Within Cultures  Subculture – shared values, norms and behaviors that are not shared by the entire population  Counterculture – rejection of the major values, norms, and practices of the larger society and replacing them with a new set of cultural values  The Amish are a good example of a counterculture. They have done everything they can to demonstrate their separation from the world around them..  Amish Culture Amish Culture Amish Culture  Counter Culture in the 60’s Counter Culture in the 60’s Counter Culture in the 60’s Section 2: Cultural Variation