chapter 2 cultural diversity · 3. how do cultural traits, cultural complexes, and cultural...

THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPSSOCIOLOGY

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1

CHAPTER 2

Cultural Diversity

Section 1: The Meaning of Culture

Section 2: Cultural Variation



Objectives:

Define the meaning of the term culture and

explain how material culture and nonmaterial

culture differ.

Identify and describe the basic components of

culture.




Culture Culture – consists of all the shared products of human

groups which include physical objects, beliefs,

values, and behaviors shared by a group

Material Culture – are physical objects that people

create and use such as books, buildings, clothing, and

cooking

Nonmaterial Culture – are abstract human creations

that include beliefs, family patterns, ideas, and

language




CULTURE

all the shared products

of human groups

Material Culture

physical objects that people

create and use

Examples

automobiles, books,

buildings, clothing,

computers, and cooking

Examples

beliefs, family patterns, ideas,

language, political and

economic systems, and rules

Non material Culture

abstract human creations



Basic Components of Culture Technology – physical objects and rules for using them

Symbols – anything that represents something else and

has a shared meaning

Language – the organization of written or spoken

symbols into a standardized system

Values – shared beliefs about what is good and bad or

right or wrong

Norms – shared rules of conduct




Basic Components of Culture Folkways – norms that describe socially acceptable

behavior (common customs of everyday life)

Mores – norms that have great moral significance

attached to them

Laws – written rules of conduct enacted and enforced

by governments

Values – shared beliefs about what is good and bad or

right or wrong




Basic Components of Culture Culture Trait – simplest level of culture, an individual

tool, act, or belief that is related to a particular

situation or need.

Culture Complexes – cluster of interrelated traits.

(Think Football and all that goes with it)

Culture Pattern – combination of a number of culture

complexes into an interrelated whole. (Think all

sports)




Objectives:

Describe cultural universals and explain why

they exist.

Explain what the terms ethnocentrism and

cultural relativism mean.

Identify factors that account for variations

among and within cultures.




Cultural Universals

Cultural universals – general traits common to

all cultures

Exist because some needs are so basic that all

societies must develop certain features to

ensure their fulfillment




Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own

culture and group as superior to all others.

People in all societies are at times ethnocentric.

When ethnocentrism is too extreme, cultural growth

may stagnate.

– Limiting the number of immigrants into a society can cause this.

Extreme ethnocentrism can also lead to conflicts such as wars.




Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism is the belief that cultures should be

judged by their own standards.

– Researchers attempt to understand cultural practices

from the point of view of the people they are

studying.

Participant Observation useful




Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism helps sociologists in understanding

why people in different societies have different cultural

norms.

– e.g. the Sepoy Rebellion of India in 1857

(gunpowder cartridges were sealed with pig or beef

fat, both are religiously offensive to Hindu and

Muslims)




Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativism

the tendency to view one’s

own culture and group as

superior to other different

cultures

belief that a culture should

be judged by its own

standards rather than by

those of another culture



Factors That Account for Variations

Among and Within Cultures

Subculture – shared values, norms and behaviors

that are not shared by the entire population

Counterculture – rejection of the major values,

norms, and practices of the larger society and

replacing them with a new set of cultural values The old older Amish are a good example of a counterculture. They have done everything they can to

demonstrate their separation from the world around them..




Chapter Wrap-Up1. List five examples of material culture and five examples of

nonmaterial culture.

2. What is language, and why is it such an important part of

culture?

3. How do cultural traits, cultural complexes, and cultural

patterns differ?

4. What is ethnocentrism? How does it differ from cultural

relativism?

5. How are subcultures and countercultures related?


chapter 2 cultural diversity · 3. how do cultural traits, cultural complexes, and cultural...

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