1. Cultural Variations

2. What is a subculture and why do they exist?
Learning Goals
What is a subculture and why do they exist?
What do most cultures have in common with each other.
What factors account for cultural variations within cultures.
How have some social scientists responded to cultural variation.

3. What do We Have in Common & variations
Cultural Universals
Needs so basic that all societies must develop certain features to ensure their fulfillment.
Subculture
Groups in society that share values, norms, and behaviors that are not shared by the entire population.
Counterculture
Groups that reject the major values, norms, and practices of the larger society and replaces them.
Ethnocentrism
Tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior.
Cultural Universals
Arts & Leisure
Basic Needs
Beliefs
Communication & Edu
Family
Gov’t & Economy
Technology

4. Cultural Variations Cultural Relativism
The belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards rather than by applying the standards of another culture.
Cultural Diffusion
The spreading of cultural traits from one society to another.
Cultural Lag
The time between changes, when ideas and beliefs are adapting to new material conditions.
Cultural Leveling
A process in which cultures become more and more alike.

5. Group Activity: Subcultures
In your group you will research a subculture and create a presentation.
Subcultures: Age, gender, ethnic, religious, political, geographic, social-class, and occupational subcultures.
Info Keys: Where are they from, what is the dominant culture, how do they reject the norms (Include pictures and details).