Chapter 3 - CultureChapter 3 - CultureSection 1 – The Basis of CultureSection 1 – The Basis of Culture

Section 2 – Language and CultureSection 2 – Language and CultureSection 3 – Norms and ValuesSection 3 – Norms and Values

Section 4 – Beliefs and Material CultureSection 4 – Beliefs and Material CultureSection 5 – Cultural Diversity and SimilaritySection 5 – Cultural Diversity and Similarity

Section 1 – The Section 1 – The Basis of CultureBasis of Culture

Objective:Objective:

Explain how culture and Explain how culture and heredity affect social heredity affect social

behavior.behavior.

Culture and SocietyCulture and Society

• Culture consists of knowledge, language, Culture consists of knowledge, language, values, customs and physical objects that are values, customs and physical objects that are passed from generation to generation.passed from generation to generation.

• Culture helps to explain human social Culture helps to explain human social behaviorbehavior

• What people do and don’t do, what they like What people do and don’t do, what they like and dislike, what they believe and don’t and dislike, what they believe and don’t believe and what they value and discount are believe and what they value and discount are all based on culture. all based on culture.

• Culture and society are tightly interwovenCulture and society are tightly interwoven– Society is a group of people who live in a defined Society is a group of people who live in a defined

territory and participate in a common culture.territory and participate in a common culture.

Culture and HeredityCulture and Heredity

• Instincts are genetically inherited Instincts are genetically inherited patterns of behavior.patterns of behavior.

• Nonhuman animals are highly Nonhuman animals are highly dependent on instincts.dependent on instincts.

• Instincts are not enough to solve the Instincts are not enough to solve the problems that humans face.problems that humans face.

Why is culture more Why is culture more important than instinct in important than instinct in

determining human determining human behavior?behavior?• If humans were controlled alone by If humans were controlled alone by

instincts, they would all behave in instincts, they would all behave in the same way. Without instincts, the same way. Without instincts, humans are forced to create and humans are forced to create and learn their own ways of thinking, learn their own ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.feeling, and behaving.

How does heredity affect How does heredity affect behavior?behavior?

• Genetic inheritance plays a role in human Genetic inheritance plays a role in human behaviorbehavior

• Using studies with identical twins, Using studies with identical twins, researchers have estimated that about half researchers have estimated that about half of you personality comes from genetic of you personality comes from genetic makeup and half from the environment.makeup and half from the environment.

• In addition, humans have reflexes – simple, In addition, humans have reflexes – simple, biologically, inherited reactions to stimuli biologically, inherited reactions to stimuli

• We also have biologically inherited drives, We also have biologically inherited drives, or impulses, to reduce discomfort.or impulses, to reduce discomfort.

SociobiologySociobiology

• Sociobiology is the study of the Sociobiology is the study of the biological basis of human behavior.biological basis of human behavior.

• It combines Darwin’s Theory of It combines Darwin’s Theory of natural selection and modern natural selection and modern genetics.genetics.

How do socio-biologists How do socio-biologists view human behavior?view human behavior?

• Socio-biologists assume that the Socio-biologists assume that the behaviors that best help people are behaviors that best help people are biologically based and transmitted in biologically based and transmitted in the genetic code.the genetic code.

• Behaviors that would contribute to Behaviors that would contribute to the survival of the human species the survival of the human species include parental affection and care, include parental affection and care, friendship, sexual reproduction, and friendship, sexual reproduction, and the education of children.the education of children.

What are some criticisms of What are some criticisms of sociobiology?sociobiology?

• The major criticism of sociobiology is The major criticism of sociobiology is that the importance placed on genetics that the importance placed on genetics could be used as justification to label could be used as justification to label specific races as superior or inferior.specific races as superior or inferior.

• There is too much variation in societies There is too much variation in societies around the world for human behavior to around the world for human behavior to be explained strictly on biological be explained strictly on biological grounds.grounds.

• Humans have created a social life that Humans have created a social life that goes far beyond what heredity alone goes far beyond what heredity alone could accomplish.could accomplish.

Section 2 – Section 2 – Language and Language and

CultureCulture

Objective:Objective:

Describe how language and Describe how language and culture are relatedculture are related

What are symbols?What are symbols?

• Symbols Symbols – things that stand for or – things that stand for or represent something else.represent something else.– Symbols range from physical objects to Symbols range from physical objects to

sounds, smells, and tastes.sounds, smells, and tastes.

How are language and How are language and culture related?culture related?

• Language frees humans from the time Language frees humans from the time and place.and place.– It allows us to create culture.It allows us to create culture.

Equipped with language, humans can pass Equipped with language, humans can pass their experiences, ideas, and knowledge their experiences, ideas, and knowledge to others.to others.

This process of social learning applies to This process of social learning applies to other cultural patterns as well, such as other cultural patterns as well, such as eating, showing patriotism, or staying eating, showing patriotism, or staying awake in class.awake in class.

The Sapir-Whorf The Sapir-Whorf HypothesisHypothesis

• According to Edward Sapir (1929), and According to Edward Sapir (1929), and Benjamin Whorf (1956) language is our Benjamin Whorf (1956) language is our guide to realityguide to reality– How we think about a thing relates to the How we think about a thing relates to the

number and complexity of words available to number and complexity of words available to describe that thing.describe that thing.

– In effect, our perceptions of the world In effect, our perceptions of the world depend in part on the particular language we depend in part on the particular language we have learned.have learned.

– Since languages differ, perceptions differ as Since languages differ, perceptions differ as well.well.

Section 3 – Norms Section 3 – Norms and Valuesand Values

Objective:Objective:

Name the essential Name the essential components of culturecomponents of culture

Norms: The Rules We Norms: The Rules We Live ByLive By• NormsNorms are rules defining appropriate and n are rules defining appropriate and n

appropriate behavior.appropriate behavior.– Way of behaving in specific situationsWay of behaving in specific situations– Norms help to explain why people in a society or Norms help to explain why people in a society or

group behave similarly in similar circumstances.group behave similarly in similar circumstances.• William Graham (1906) was an early sociologist William Graham (1906) was an early sociologist

who wrote about normswho wrote about norms– Said anything can be considered appropriate Said anything can be considered appropriate

when norms approve of it.when norms approve of it.– Norms are so ingrained they guide behavior Norms are so ingrained they guide behavior

without our awareness.without our awareness.– Norms range from relatively minor rules, such Norms range from relatively minor rules, such

as the idea that we should applaud at a as the idea that we should applaud at a performance, to extremely important ones, such performance, to extremely important ones, such as laws against stealing.as laws against stealing.

Folkways, Mores and Folkways, Mores and LawsLaws

• Sumner identified three basic types Sumner identified three basic types of norms: of norms: folkways, mores folkways, mores and and lawslaws..

What are folkways?What are folkways?

• Rules that cover customary ways of thinking, Rules that cover customary ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving, but lack moral feeling, and behaving, but lack moral overtones are called overtones are called folkwaysfolkways..– Ex: sleeping in a bed, rather than sleeping on the Ex: sleeping in a bed, rather than sleeping on the

floorfloor

• Because folkways are not considered vital to Because folkways are not considered vital to group welfare, disapproval of those who group welfare, disapproval of those who break them is not very great.break them is not very great.

• Those who consistently violate folkways may Those who consistently violate folkways may appear odd, but we do not consider them appear odd, but we do not consider them wicked or immoral.wicked or immoral.

What are mores?What are mores?• The term The term more more is based on the word is based on the word

morality.morality.– Morality deals with conduct related to right Morality deals with conduct related to right

and wrongand wrong– MoresMores are norms of great moral are norms of great moral

significance.significance.• They are vital to the well-being of societyThey are vital to the well-being of society• Conformity to mores draws strong social Conformity to mores draws strong social

approval ; violation of this type of norm brings approval ; violation of this type of norm brings strong social disapproval.strong social disapproval.

– Conformity to mores is a social requirementConformity to mores is a social requirement– The most serious mores are The most serious mores are taboostaboos

• TabooTaboo – a norm so strong that its violation – a norm so strong that its violation demands punishment by the groupdemands punishment by the group

How do laws differ from How do laws differ from mores?mores?

• The third type of norm is law.The third type of norm is law.– Laws are norms that are formally Laws are norms that are formally

defined and enforced by officialsdefined and enforced by officials• Laws are created and enforcedLaws are created and enforced

– Some mores can become law, for Some mores can become law, for example banning smoking.example banning smoking.

– Not all mores become laws, for example Not all mores become laws, for example cheating on a test.cheating on a test.

Enforcing the RulesEnforcing the Rules

• People do not automatically conform to People do not automatically conform to norms.norms.

• Norms must be learned and accepted.Norms must be learned and accepted.• Groups teach norms, in part, through Groups teach norms, in part, through

the use of sanctions.the use of sanctions.• SanctionsSanctions are rewards and are rewards and

punishments used to encourage punishments used to encourage conformity to norms.conformity to norms.

• They can be They can be formal formal oror informal informal

What are formal What are formal sanctions?sanctions?

• Formal sanctions are sanctions that Formal sanctions are sanctions that may be applied only by officially may be applied only by officially designated persons, such as judges designated persons, such as judges or teachers.or teachers.– Formal sanctions can take on the form Formal sanctions can take on the form

of positive as well as negativeof positive as well as negative

What are informal What are informal sanctions?sanctions?

• Informal sanctions are sanctions that can be Informal sanctions are sanctions that can be applied by most members of a group.applied by most members of a group.

• They, too, can be both positive and negative.They, too, can be both positive and negative.– Sanctions are not used randomly or without Sanctions are not used randomly or without

reason.reason.– Specific sanctions are associated with specific Specific sanctions are associated with specific

normsnorms– W may conform to norms because we believe W may conform to norms because we believe

that the behavior expected of us is appropriate, that the behavior expected of us is appropriate, because we wish to avoid guilt feelings, or because we wish to avoid guilt feelings, or because we fear disapproval.because we fear disapproval.

Values – The Basis for Values – The Basis for NormsNorms

• What are values?What are values?– Values are broad ideas about what Values are broad ideas about what

most people in a society consider to be most people in a society consider to be desirable.desirable.

– Values are so general that they do not Values are so general that they do not dictate precise ways of thinking, dictate precise ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.feeling, and behaving.

Why are values so Why are values so important?important?

• Values have a tremendous influence Values have a tremendous influence on human social behavior because on human social behavior because they form the basis for norms.they form the basis for norms.

• Vales are also important because Vales are also important because they are so general that they are they are so general that they are involved in most aspects of daily life.involved in most aspects of daily life.

•

Basic Values in the Basic Values in the United StatesUnited States

• The United States is home to many different The United States is home to many different groups. No single set of values is likely to groups. No single set of values is likely to hold across the entire country. Sociologist hold across the entire country. Sociologist Robin Williams identified important values Robin Williams identified important values that guide the daily lives of most people in that guide the daily lives of most people in the USthe US– Achievement and successAchievement and success– Activity and workActivity and work– Efficiency and practicalityEfficiency and practicality– EqualityEquality– DemocracyDemocracy– Group SuperiorityGroup Superiority

Section 4 – Beliefs Section 4 – Beliefs and Material and Material

CultureCultureObjective:Objective:

Students will distinguish between Students will distinguish between nonmaterial ,material, ideal and real nonmaterial ,material, ideal and real culture and will discuss how cultural culture and will discuss how cultural diversity is promoted within a society.diversity is promoted within a society.

Beliefs and Physical Beliefs and Physical ObjectsObjects

• The The nonmaterial culturenonmaterial culture involves involves beliefs, ideas, and knowledge.beliefs, ideas, and knowledge.– The material culture is about how we The material culture is about how we

relate to physical objects.relate to physical objects.

Why do beliefs matter?Why do beliefs matter?

• BeliefsBeliefs are ideas about the nature are ideas about the nature of reality.of reality.– They can be true and falseThey can be true and false

• Beliefs are important because people Beliefs are important because people base their behavior on what they base their behavior on what they believe, regardless of how true or believe, regardless of how true or false the beliefs arefalse the beliefs are

What is material culture?What is material culture?

• Material cultureMaterial culture consists of consists of concrete tangible objects within a concrete tangible objects within a culture – automobiles, basketballs, culture – automobiles, basketballs, chairs, highways, art…..chairs, highways, art…..

• These physical objects have no These physical objects have no meaning or use apart from the meaning or use apart from the meanings people give them.meanings people give them.

How is material culture How is material culture related to nonmaterial related to nonmaterial

culture?culture?• The cultural meaning of physical The cultural meaning of physical

objects is not determined by the objects is not determined by the physical characteristics of the physical characteristics of the objects.objects.

Ideal and Real CultureIdeal and Real Culture

• A gap sometimes exists between cultural A gap sometimes exists between cultural guidelines and actual behavior.guidelines and actual behavior.

• The gap is captured in the concepts of The gap is captured in the concepts of ideal and real culture.ideal and real culture.

• Ideal cultureIdeal culture refers to cultural refers to cultural guidelines publicly embraced by members guidelines publicly embraced by members of a society.of a society.

• Real cultureReal culture refers to actual behavior refers to actual behavior patterns, which often conflict with these patterns, which often conflict with these guidelines.guidelines.

Section 5 – Section 5 – Cultural Diversity Cultural Diversity

and Similarityand SimilarityObjective:Objective:

Students will compare and contrast Students will compare and contrast cultural norms among subculture cultural norms among subculture

groups and will present projects and groups and will present projects and activities summarizing objective/s activities summarizing objective/s

learned in the chapter.learned in the chapter.

Why does culture Why does culture change?change?

• Culture changes for three reasons:Culture changes for three reasons:– One cause is One cause is discoverydiscovery, the process of , the process of

finding something that already exists.finding something that already exists.– Culture is also changed throughCulture is also changed through

inventioninvention, the creation of something , the creation of something new. new.

– A third cause of cultural change is A third cause of cultural change is diffusiondiffusion, the borrowing of aspects of , the borrowing of aspects of culture from other culture.culture from other culture.

Cultural DiversityCultural Diversity

• Cultural diversity exists in all Cultural diversity exists in all societies. Some diversity is a result societies. Some diversity is a result of of social categoriessocial categories – groups that – groups that share a social characteristics such as share a social characteristics such as age, gender, or religion.age, gender, or religion.

• Certain behaviors are associated Certain behaviors are associated with particular ages, genders, or with particular ages, genders, or religions.religions.

What are subcultures and What are subcultures and countercultures?countercultures?

• Cultural diversity also comes from groups that Cultural diversity also comes from groups that differ in particular ways from the larger differ in particular ways from the larger cultureculture

• These groups participate in the larger culture.These groups participate in the larger culture.• But, these groups have some ways of thinking, But, these groups have some ways of thinking,

feeling, and behaving that set them apart.feeling, and behaving that set them apart.• Such groups – known as Such groups – known as subculturessubcultures and and

counterculturescountercultures – are found in large, – are found in large, complex societies.complex societies.

• SubcultureSubculture is part of the dominant is part of the dominant culture but differs from it in some culture but differs from it in some important aspects.important aspects.

• CountercultureCounterculture is a subculture is a subculture deliberately and consciously opposed to deliberately and consciously opposed to certain central beliefs or attitudes of the certain central beliefs or attitudes of the dominant culture.dominant culture.

• A counterculture can be understood only A counterculture can be understood only within the context of the opposition.within the context of the opposition.

EthnocentrismEthnocentrism

• Once people learn their culture, they Once people learn their culture, they become strongly committed to it.become strongly committed to it.

• They may judge others in terms of They may judge others in terms of their own cultural standards – a their own cultural standards – a practice known as practice known as ethnocentrismethnocentrism..

Cultural UniversalsCultural Universals

• Although it my seem that different cultures Although it my seem that different cultures have little in common, researchers have have little in common, researchers have identified more than seventy common cultural identified more than seventy common cultural traits.traits.

• These These cultural universalscultural universals are traits that are traits that exist in all cultures.exist in all cultures.– They includes things such a sports, cooking, They includes things such a sports, cooking,

courtship, division of labor, education, etiquette, courtship, division of labor, education, etiquette, funeral rites, family, government, hospitality, funeral rites, family, government, hospitality, housing, inheritance rules, joking, language, housing, inheritance rules, joking, language, medicine, marriage, mourning, music, property medicine, marriage, mourning, music, property rights, religious rituals, sexual restrictions, status rights, religious rituals, sexual restrictions, status differences, and tool making.differences, and tool making.

How are cultural universals How are cultural universals expressed?expressed?

• Cultural Universals are not always Cultural Universals are not always carried out the same way. carried out the same way.

• Different cultures have developed Different cultures have developed different ways to express universals.different ways to express universals.

• These are called These are called cultural cultural particularsparticulars. .