1. CH. 2: CULTURE

2. Culture All of the shared products of human groups
These shared products include the physical objects, beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group

3. Culture is:
Socially constructed (not biological) and made up by people
Socially learned and reinforced by example
Why do you use a fork?
Socially shared (not individual)
Constantly changing

4. Blueprints
Culture provides the blueprint that people in a society use to guide their relationships with others

5. Society
A group of people living within defined territorial borders that share a way of life and common culture.
A society is the largest form of human group.
Not the same as culture! Culture is simply a society’s way of life

6. Material vs. Non-Material Culture
Material: physical objects (automobiles, clothing, buildings, etc.)
Non – Material: abstract human creations (language, beliefs, rules, family patterns,
political/economic systems)

7. Components of Culture
Technology – application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes
Symbols – anything that stands for something else (Flag, Statue of Liberty, Cross)
Language – organization of written/spoken symbols into a standardized system
Values – shared beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong
Norms – shared rules of conduct that tell us how to act in different situations

8. In 1970, sociologists found that Americans valued:
Individualism
Achievement
Work
Technology
Equality
Group superiority
Progress
Freedom/liberty
material wealth
consumerism
diversity
Do you think these are all still values of America?
Have we added others?

9. 2 types of Norms (Folkways vs. Mores)
Folkways – norms that do not have great moral significance (napkin on lap, holding door)
Mores – norms that do carry great moral significance (murder, theft, fraud)

11. Diagramming Culture using… Culture Traits, Complex’s, Patterns
Trait – tool, act, or belief related to a particular situation (helmet, shoulder pads, football, stadium, 1st & 10, pass interference)
Complex – combination of traits into an inter-related whole (a Football Game)
Pattern – combination of complexes into an inter-related whole (The NFL)

12. In-Class Activity/Homework:
Create a Culture Pattern of your choice (like sports, entertainment, or food)
Within your culture pattern, include 3 culture complexes
Within each culture complex, include 3 culture traits
Look at the sample below
10pts.
Due: Thursday

13. Culture Complex: Reggae Culture Pattern: American Music
Trait: Sean Paul, Bob Marley
Trait: colorful clothes, dreadlocks
Trait: Rasta lifestyle
Culture Complex: Rap
Culture Complex:
Country
Trait: baggy/tight pants, chains, tattoos
Trait: Jay Z
Trait:
Cowboy hats, boots
Trait: Blake Shelton
Trait: bass, track
Trait: slow bass/piano

14. GOVERNMENT EDUCATION RELIGION
CULTURAL UNIVERSALS:
GOVERNMENT
COMMON FEATURES THAT ALL SOCIETIES NEED TO DEVELOP THEIR CULTURAL TRAITS, COMPLEXES, AND PATTERNS
EDUCATION
RELIGION

15. ETHNOCENTRISM: BELIEF THAT YOUR OWN CULTURE IS SUPERIOR TO OTHERS
WHY IS THIS BAD FOR STUDYING OTHER CULTURES?
IT MAY HINDER OUR ABILITY TO OBJECTIVELY COLLECT/INTERPRET DATA

16. BELIEF THAT CULTURES SHOULD NOT BE COMPARED TO ONE UNIVERSAL STANDARD
CULTURAL RELATIVISM:
BELIEF THAT CULTURES SHOULD NOT BE COMPARED TO ONE UNIVERSAL STANDARD

19. SMALLER CULTURAL POCKETS WITHIN A LARGER CULTURE
SUBCULTURE:
SMALLER CULTURAL POCKETS WITHIN A LARGER CULTURE
PRACTICE THEIR OWN BELIEFS, VALUES AND TRAITS BUT SHARE THE COMMON NORMS OF THE LARGER CULTURE
EX.: CHINATOWN, LIL’ ITALY

24. COUNTERCULTURE:
WHEN A SUBCULTURE BEGINS TO BREAK THE NORMS AND RULES OF THE LARGER CULTURE
EX.: HIPPIE MOVEMENT(60’s)
DAVID KORESCH/WACO, THE POLYGYMIST COMMUNITY IN COLORADO CITY(AZ) LED BY WARREN JEFFS, NEO NAZIS, BLACK PANTHERS, KKK

27. ARAPESH v. MUNDUGUMOR ARAPESH:
~LIVED IN MTS. WHERE RESOURCES WERE SCARCE. FORCED TO COOPERATE
~TAUGHT RESPECT AND LOVE TO CHILDREN
~BOTH PARENTS RAISED CHILDREN
~CHILDREN LENT OUT TO RELATIVES
~FATHER CHOSE BRIDE FOR SON

30. ARAPESH v. MUNDUGUMOR MUNDUGUMOR:
~LIVED IN RIVER VALLEY WHERE RESOURCES WERE ABUNDANT AND THUS BECAME VERY COMPETITIVE, VIOLENT AND UNTRUSTING
~PRACTICED THE “ROPE”
INFANTS CARRIED AROUND IN BASKETS
READY TO AVENGE ANY INSULT

34. NATURE V. NURTURE ESSAY ASSIGN.
Prompt: What shapes our personality & behavior? Is it ‘nature’ or ‘nurture’?
Nature advocates believe that our personality and behavior is shaped by our genetics
Nurture advocates believe that our personality and behavior is shaped by our environment
Most sociologists today believe that it is a combination of both (what %?)
Include one specific example for each tribe from the comparative studies between the Arapesh and Mundugumor.
Assessment – 10pts.
essay structure – 3pts. (topic sentence, body, conclusion)
content – 4pts.
spelling/grammar – 3pts.