1. Elements of Culture
Four main elements: symbols, language, values, norms
Fifth element?  Technology

2. Elements of Culture
Symbols
Anything that carries a particular meaning

3. Elements of Culture Language
A system of symbols that allows people to communicate with one another
Cultural transmission  process by which one generation passes culture to the next
Does language shape reality?
Sapir-Whorf thesis – people see and understand the world through language

4. Elements of Culture Values and Beliefs
V  culturally defined standards that people use to decide what is desirable, good and beautiful and that serve as broad guidelines for social living
B  specific statements that people hold to be true

5. Which is most like you? Personal control over the environment
Fate – whatever happens was meant to be

6. Which is most like you?
Change is great.
Tradition is great.

7. Which is most like you? I have a schedule and I’m sticking to it.
It’s more important to spend extra time with family and friends.

8. Which is most like you?
Everybody should be treated the same. We are all equal.
Some people – because of jobs, family, or wealth – are “better” than others.

9. Which is most like you?
I am a unique individual. What I do is my business and mine alone.
I am part of a larger group. What I do reflects on my family and my country.

10. Which is most like you? If I want something, it is up to me to get it.
If I want something, I rely on my family and friends to help me get it.

11. Which is most like you?
Life is a competition. You have to be the best in order to succeed in life.
Life is a “group activity”. To be successful you need to work well with others.

12. Which is most like you? My future is bright.
The past was better than now.

13. Which is most like you?
I can’t sit still for long. I like to be doing something.
I could sit and day dream for hours and hours.

14. Which is most like you?
There are many people more than 5 years older than me that I am friends with.
People that are older than me deserve my respect and honor.

15. Which is most like you?
If I don’t like something, I am going to say something or do something about it.
If I don’t like something, I’m just going to put up with it.

16. Which is most like you? I am very practical. (Realistic)
I am an idealist. (Optimistic)

17. Which is most like you?
I want a good job so that I can buy lots of things.
I don’t need a lot in life. I prefer to keep things simple.

18. Which is most like you? “Western” Values “Others” Values
Personal control over the environment
Change
Time & it’s control
Equality
Individualism and Privacy
Self-help or self-made
Competition
Looking to the future
Focus on action or work
Informality
Direct/Open/Honest
Practical and Efficient
Materialist (Desire to Acquire)
Fate
Tradition
Human interaction
Hierarchy/rank/status
Concerned with the group’s welfare
Group help or inheritance
Cooperation
Looking to the past
Focus on just being
Formality
Indirectness/ritual/saving ‘face’
Idealism
Spiritualism

19. Elements of Culture Values and Beliefs 10 “American” Values
Equal opportunity
Achievement based on merit
Material comfort
Active not passive
Practical and efficient
Progress
Science
Democracy
Freedom of choice
Racism and group superiority

20. Elements of Culture
Norms: Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members
Mores  norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance
Folkways  norms for routine or casual interaction
Laws  norms that are written down and enforced by an official agency
Taboos  norms that society holds so strongly that violating it results in extreme disgust

21. Elements of Culture Norms
Social control  attempts by society to regulate people’s thoughts and behaviors
Shame – painful sense that other disapprove of our actions
Guilt – a negative judgment we make of ourselves

22. Elements of Culture Norms
What are some examples of things you would never want a friend to do in the presence of your parents?
What are some examples of things you would never want your parents to do in the presence of your friends?
If you "just know" a rule, it is a cultural norm

23. Elements of Culture Technology is good because…
Technology is bad because…