1. Chapter 3 Section 1 The Basis of Culture

2. Material vs. Non-Material Culture Material: physical aspects of culture Non-material: beliefs (religion) rules, customs How does Culture help explain human behavior?

3. Culture vs. Society Culture is the way of life of a large group of people – Consists of knowledge, values, customs, and physical objects shared by members of society – Culture is learned behavior

4. CULTURAL HEARTH A CULTURAL HEARTH is an area where cultural traits develop and from which the traits diffuse (spread out). Other traits such as agriculture can be traced to several hearths thousands of years apart. If a trait has many hearths and develops independently from the other hearths, it is known as INDEPENDENT INVENTION.

5. CULTURAL DIFFUSION The process of spreading an idea or innovation (an improvement) from its hearth to other places is known as Cultural Diffusion. Occurs through the movement of people, goods, or ideas across space.

6. CULTURAL BARRIERS A CULTURAL BARRIER can work against diffusion. Certain innovations, ideas, or practices are not acceptable or adoptable in particular cultures because of traditional attitudes or even taboos (something forbidden).

7. EXPANSION and RELOCATION DIFFUSION EXPANSION DIFFUSION occurs when an idea or innovation develops in a hearth and remains strong there while also spreading outward. 3 Types of Expansion Diffusion: 1. Contagious Diffusion: a form of expansion in which nearly all neighboring or bordering individuals are affected. 2. Hierarchical Diffusion: a pattern of expansion in which only a segment of the population adopts what is being diffused. 3. Stimulus Diffusion: a form of diffusion in which the idea or product is not directly adopted by the receiving population. For example, the diffusion of mass-produced food led to the introduction of the hamburger to India.

8. RELOCATION DIFFUSION RELOCATION DIFFUSION involves the actual movement of individuals and occurs most frequently through migration. The difference between expansion diffusion and relocation diffusion has to do with what happens at the point of origin – at its hearth. In expansion diffusion, what is being diffused remains at the point of origin, often becoming more intense. With relocation diffusion, what is being diffused evacuates the point of origin and moves on.

9. Society Society is a group of people who live in a defined territory and participate in a common culture.

10. Culture and Heredity Instincts are genetically inherited patterns of behavior. About ½ of your personality traits are determined by genetic makeup

11. REFLEXES VS. DRIVES Drives = impulses (urges/desires) – Drinking, eating Reflexes = automatic reactions to stimuli – Crying, squinting

12. Reflexes and Drives cont… Do reflexes and drives control human behavior? CULTURE controls human behavior. Some cultures teach boys not to cry, and others teach boys to express themselves more openly

13. Sociobiology The study of the biological basis of human behavior Combines Darwin with modern genetics How does Darwin view human behavior? Sociobiologists view behavior as genetically based: parental affection, care, sex, education.

14. SECTION 2 Symbols, Language, and Culture Creation and transmission of culture depends on use of symbols Language allows for the creation of culture http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2 010/may/09/belgium-flanders- wallonia-french-dutch http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2 010/may/09/belgium-flanders- wallonia-french-dutch Language allows one to pass along ideas, values, and knowledge Language and symbols are learned as one is socialized

15. Hypothesis of Linguistic Relativity Created by Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf Theory states that our idea of reality depends largely upon language – Our perceptions of the world depend in part on the language we have learned. – Languages differ, thus perceptions differ – If our language is limited, our ability to perceive and describe reality is limited

16. Vocabulary and Perception of Reality The number of different words a society has for something is indicative of that “something’s” importance. Learning new languages and vocabulary can alter perception Other factors influencing reality?

17. Cultural Relativism Learning to look at things from a different perspective – Not making value judgments based on your norms – Having mutual respect and understand for other cultures How is cultural relativism part of the sociological imagination – Americans believe Hindus don’t kill cows because of religious beliefs – Could there be another reason?

18. Section III Norms and Values Sociologists define culture by identifying: norms, values, beliefs, and use of material objects Norms = rules defining appropriate and inappropriate behavior. – Norms help explain why people in a society of group behave similarly in similar circumstances

19. Norms cont… Anything can be appropriate when norms approve it Once norms are learned, members of society use them to guide behavior

20. Folkways Folkways are rules regarding customary ways of thinking and behaving. – Eating with your hands – not utensils Not vital to group welfare – Disapproval is not great – Those who continually break folkways are considered rude – not evil Some folkways are considered more important than others – Examples?

21. Mores (Mor-ays) Related to term “morals” Deals with conduct (right or wrong) Great moral significance Conformity to mores brings forth social approval – Violations bring disapproval – Conformity is a social requirement Differing Mores: standing for pledge vs. yelling profanity in church Laws vs. Mores – Laws are formally defined and enforced – Consciously created – Mores are a source for laws but are not defined and enforced

22. Taboos A norm so strong that its violation demands punishment by the group – Killing cows in India Sexual behavior – Incest is generally considered a taboo in all societies – Older women and younger men; older men and younger women

23. Formal and Informal Sanctions Sanctions – rewards and punishments to encourage behavior modification Formal Sanctions – applied by officially designated people (judges, principals, military) Informal Sanctions – applied by most members of society

24. Values Broad ideas about what most people in a society consider desirable Different societies or groups within the same society can have different norms based on same value – Freedom: American vs. Soviet Union (former) Values Activity: – Create a list of 15 things (material and non- material) you value – Rank the items 1-15. 1 being valued the most – You have 1,000 to spend on these values based on how important you made them

25. Subculture vs. Counterculture Sub = A group that is part of the dominant culture but differs in some important respects – Chinatown (San Francisco) Counter = a subculture deliberately and consciously opposed to certain central beliefs or attitudes of dominant culture – Goths, punk rockers, prison counterculture (pants on the ground)

26. Ethnocentrism Judging others in terms of one’s own standards – Strong commitment to one’s own culture – Olympic games – Political and regional rivalries

27. Ethnocentrism: Good or Bad Stability is promoted – Traditions and behaviors are valued – People take pride in one’s self Rigidity stagnates change – If ethno. is to harsh or unbending change rarely occurs – Civil Rights movement combat racial ethno – Hitler's “Final Solution”