CULTURAL SYMBOLS &

CULTURELet’s Do This...

WHAT ARE CULTURES? Culture is everything that is learned and

shared by members of a social group Values/beliefs, behaviours, material objects Customary beliefs, social forms, and material

traits of a racial, religious, or social group The characterisitic features of everyday

existence shared by people in a place or time Set of shared attitudes, values, goals and

practices that characterizes an institution or organization

Set of values, conventions , or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or social characteristic

ETHNOCENTRIC Belief that your culture is the best or

superior to another What is true for your culture should be

true for others

SUBCULTURES Close knit groups Cliques Distinguishable groups within larger

cultures An ethnic, regional, economic, or social

group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behaviour sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing culture or society

CULTURATION How peers, family, education, religion,

and media affect us. Direct culturation is intentional Indirect would things such as songs,

prayers, etc

CULTURAL CHANGES/EVOLUTION Issues:

political ideas/social issues (abortion)/environmental conditions

Technological innovations—T.V., internet, carDiffusion-mix of cultures—food/clothesCultural lag: one generate changes quickly,

other don’tCultural relativism—all cultures are orderly

systems whose customs are rational in teir own right Although some customs counter human welfare

such as: slavery, head hunting, genital mutilation etc.

COMMON THREADS IN CULTURE Subsistence—agriculture,

industrialization Primary family—kinship Rules of conduct—set rules or implied Beliefs—religion or not Material culture—tools/weapons/clothes

etc Expression—terms, fashion, symbols

SYMBOLS AND SIGNALS Symbols can be anything that a group of

people recognize as having a specific meaning E.g. Peace symbol

Signals are things such as gestures, which also have a specific meaningE.g. Hand gestures/waving hand= good byeHigh 5 = congratulationsThumbs up = good

DID YOU KNOW... It is considered rude to smile at

someone in Russia? Be careful who you give a thumbs up, or

OK sign to. Eye contact, who can I look at?

NORMS Norms are rules regulating certain

situationsCan be flexible from situation to situationE.g. Eating with your hands is okay at fast

food restaurants, but not okay if meeting your partner’s parents.

Norms that are considered very important are called ‘mores’ E.g. Wearing black at a funeralShowing respect for flag or anthem

VALUES A belief, aim, or ideal which is

considered being good, right, valuable and or justE.g. Courage/honesty/respect for elders

Values often conflict E.g. Time usage—part-time job or

homework completion Objects

Physical objects produced by people can represent meaning E.g. Pottery, clothes, buildings

Prevalence of clocks=time is important in our culture