1. CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity
Sociology
1/17/2019
CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity
Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Section 2: Cultural Variation
Chapter 2

2. Pre- Quiz What is meant by the term Culture?
What are some of the basic components of culture?
How does material culture and non- material culture differ?

3. Objectives: Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
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.
Chapter 2

4. What is Culture? Terms used: Culture Material Culture
Non Material Culture Society
Language Values Norms
Folkways Mores Laws
Culture Trait Culture Complexes
Culture Patterns

5. Culture Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
Culture
Culture – consists of all the shared products of human groups which include physical objects, beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group
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
Chapter 2

6. CULTURE Material Culture Non material Culture Examples Examples
Sociology
1/17/2019
CULTURE
all the shared products of human groups
Material Culture
Non material Culture
physical objects that people create and use
abstract human creations
Examples
Examples
automobiles, books, buildings, clothing, computers, and cooking
beliefs, family patterns, ideas, language, political and economic systems, and rules
Chapter 2

7. Basic Components of Culture
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 1: The Meaning of Culture
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
Chapter 2

8. Norms
Folkways – describe socially acceptable behavior but do not have great moral significance attached to them.
Mores – have great moral significance attached to them.
Laws – written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by the government.

9. Examining Culture
Culture is continually changing, with the introduction of new material objects.
Cultural traits – is an individual tool, act, or belief that is related to a particular situation or need.
Cultural Complexes – a cluster of interrelated traits.
Culture Patterns – is the combination of a number of culture complexes into an interrelated whole.

10. School Culture Groups
Make a list of the components of school culture using the five components of culture.
Technology
Symbol
Language
Values
Norms

11. Objectives: Section 2: Cultural Variation
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 2: Cultural Variation
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.
Chapter 2

12. Cultural Universals Section 2: Cultural Variation
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 2: Cultural Variation
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
Chapter 2

13. What do we have in common?
Section 2: Cultural Variation
What do we have in common?
Cultural Universals – features common to
all cultures.
Examples of cultural Universals are:
- cooking
- dancing
- family
- feasting
- funeral ceremonies
- gift giving

14. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 2: Cultural Variation
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
 Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own
culture and group as superior to all others.
 People in all societies are at times ethnocentric.
 When ethnocentrism is too extreme, cultural growth
may stagnate.
–  Limiting the number of immigrants into a society can cause this.
 Extreme ethnocentrism can also lead to conflicts such as wars.
Chapter 2

15. Section 2: Cultural Variation
Variation among societies
comparisons of two societies
Arapesh – fathers are primary care givers for children.
Mothers do most of the chores that need to be done
Boys are taught to be non-aggressive
Girls are promised to a boy at age seven or eight.
After they are promised the boy and girl live together.
Marriages consist of one man and one woman.

16. Section 2: Cultural Variation
Variation among societies
comparisons of two societies continued
The Mundugmor – The mother is the primary care giver of children.
Mothers carry the baby for a in a basket with no contact
with the mother.
- More aggressive nature.
Men will have more than one wife.
Men will trade their daughters for a new wife.

17. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 2: Cultural Variation
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
 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
Chapter 2

18. Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 2: Cultural Variation
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
 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)
Chapter 2

19. Lalabeling a culture as Inferior based on it’s technology
Sociology
1/17/2019
Ethnocentrism
Cultural Relativism
the tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior to other different cultures
belief that a culture should be judged by its own standards rather than by those of another culture
Lalabeling a culture as
Inferior based on it’s
technology
Example
examing how another
society views its dress
or diet
Example
Chapter 2

20. Cultural Universals Group
Come up with a new product that could be marketed in
another country
Each group write a paragraph explaining the
product to be marketed and why that product would
appeal to the global market.
Each group will present to the class

21. Factors That Account for Variations Among and Within Cultures
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 2: Cultural Variation
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 old older Amish are a good example of a counterculture. They have done everything they can to demonstrate their separation from the world around them..
Chapter 2

22. Chapter Wrap-Up Section 2: Cultural Variation
Sociology
1/17/2019
Section 2: Cultural Variation
Chapter Wrap-Up
1. List five examples of material culture and five examples of nonmaterial culture.
2. What is language, and why is it such an important part of culture?
3. How do folkways, mores, and laws differ? List three examples of each type of norm.
4. How do cultural traits, cultural complexes, and cultural patterns differ?
5. How did Margaret Mead contribute to the study of cultures?
6. What is ethnocentrism? How does it differ from cultural relativism?
7. How are subcultures and countercultures related?
Chapter 2

23. Essay Questions
Identify the three levels of culture studied by sociologist and explain how they are related. (you may use a graphic organizer to help with your explanation)
Discuss the conclusions of Margret Mead research concerning temperament, explain how she arrived at her conclusion.
3. Describe the environmental factors that might account for the differences between the Arapesh and the Mundugumor
4. Explain what ethnocentrism is, how it is different from cultural relativism and why extreme ethnocentrism can cause a culture to stagnate?