1. Components of Culture
The basic components of all cultures that vary from society to society.

2. 1. Technology Physical objects (tools) and the rules for using them
Includes skills/procedures necessary to make & use tools
Emerging technologies a.k.a. “new technologies”
Ex. printing press & computer
Sets framework for nonmaterial culture… influencing the way people think & how they relate to one another

3. Cultural Lag: occurs when not all parts of culture change @ same pace
Material culture changes faster than nonmaterial culture.
WHY???

4. Cultural Diffusion: Cultural Leveling:
Transmission of cultural characteristics
More likely to occur with material culture
Occurs more rapidly today as a result of:
Technology
Transportation
Communication
Cultural Leveling:
Occurs when cultures become similar to one another
Ex. Japan has adopted the Western culture in many ways

5. 2. Symbols Anything that represents something else
Through symbols we create culture (attach meaning) and communicate it to group members
Examples of symbols:
Words -Objects
Gestures -Events
Images
Sounds

6. 3. Language
Organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system
Primary means of communication between people
Allows for cumulative history of people
Allows for social (shared) past & future
Allows for exchange of perspectives (complex, shared, goal-directed behavior)
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: when we learn words, we learn a way of thinking and perceiving; our language determines our consciousness

7. 4. Values
Shared beliefs about what is good/bad, right/wrong, desirable/undesirable, beautiful/ugly
Determine character of people & the material and non-material culture they create
Every group develops values & expectations regarding the right way to reflect them

8. 5. Norms
Expectations (rules of behavior) that develop out of a group’s values
Can vary in enforcement
Can be applied differently or selectively to different groups

9. Norms vary in their importance to a culture
Folkways: describe socially acceptable behavior, that do not have great moral significance
Not strictly enforced
Can vary by groups
Mores: norms believed to be essential to core values and that have great moral significance
Require conformity
Violation of mores threatens society’s well-being and stability
Laws are formally defined mores enacted and enforced by the government
Taboo: norms so strongly ingrained that even the thought of them is greeting with revulsion

10. Sanctions: enforcement of norms
Positive Sanctions
Negative Sanctions
Expressions of approval
Money
Prize
Smile
Handshake
Sticker
Applause
Denote disapproval for breaking a norm
Fine
Frown
Harsh words
Ridicule
Ticket
In addition to positive/negative, sanctions can also be formal or informal .

11. Moral Holiday: specified times when people are allowed to break norms and not worry about sanctions
Mardi Gras
Spring Break