Sociology101
The beginning of chapter two begins to discuss the definition of culture. It is much easier to grasp through description rather than definition. Everyone possess culture in one way or another. Weather its from the cloths they wear, things they believe in, the language they speak or even possessions past on down through each generation as a family heir loom. There is several different types of culture. One of them is nonmaterial culture which is peoples behavior patterns. Another is material culture which is cloths, tools, buildings and art. There is also something called Ideal culture which is a group of peoples goals and ideal values. There is also Real culture which reflects on their actual behavior. As we move on they begin to go over cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. Cultural relativism is where someone respects someone
The United States society has many values. As we move along in the chapter, they begin to talk about cultural traits that are found not only in one or two cultures but in all cultures. One of which are called mores which are enforced heavily because they reflect core values within the group. These values are known as cultural universals. Language allows us to be goal-directed and cooperative. The example for subcultures that they use is the way that doctors and physicians talk amungst one another which differs them from the general culture. Through symbols such as values, norms, sanctions, gestures and folkways, people will use them to communicate with others. Counter cultures holds some values but they are in relations to that of the regular group culture. As the book moves onto subcultures and counter cultures. On the other end of the spectrum there are the norms called folkways. The components of nonmaterial culture is symbols. In order for the group to show approval of following their norms, they use positive and negative sanctions. Some customs that are included in these are weddings, funerals, cooking and others. Language even shapes our thoughts and perceptions according to Sapir-Whorf.
Common topics in this essay:
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core values,
counter cultures,
norms called,
nonmaterial culture,
cultural universals,
culture peoples,
cultural relativism,
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