SOCIOLOGYSOCIOLOGY

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Cultural Diversity and Cultural Diversity and ConformityConformity

Revised July 2015Revised July 2015

The Meaning of CultureThe Meaning of Culture

•Section 1 (pgs. Section 1 (pgs. 23-29)23-29)

•Culture is made Culture is made up of all the up of all the shared products of shared products of human groups.human groups.

1. Where does the word 1. Where does the word culture come from? What culture come from? What

does it mean?does it mean? The term culture originated The term culture originated from two Latin words: from two Latin words: colere colere and and cultuscultus. .

The verb The verb colere colere means “to means “to till the land,” and the till the land,” and the participle participle cultus cultus means means “planted” or “cultivated.”“planted” or “cultivated.”

In a way, culture is similar In a way, culture is similar to a society’s “harvest”—or to a society’s “harvest”—or all that a people cares for, all that a people cares for, practices, and produces.practices, and produces.

Culture is a key focus of Culture is a key focus of sociology because it is the sociology because it is the feature that distinguishes feature that distinguishes one human group from one human group from another.another.

2. What do most 2. What do most sociologists believe sociologists believe about human about human behavior?behavior? Many believe that humans are not Many believe that humans are not

controlled by natural instincts.controlled by natural instincts. Because humans are not locked Because humans are not locked

into a set of predetermined into a set of predetermined behaviors, they are able to adapt behaviors, they are able to adapt to and change their environment.to and change their environment.

These methods of adapting form These methods of adapting form the foundation of culture.the foundation of culture.

3. What is the meaning of the term culture?

Culture is the shared products of human groups.

These products include physical objects and the beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group.

4. What is the difference between 4. What is the difference between material culture and nonmaterial material culture and nonmaterial

culture?culture? Material culture Material culture are are

objects that people create. objects that people create. Examples of material Examples of material

culture include cars, culture include cars, books, buildings, books, buildings, clothing, computers, and clothing, computers, and cooking utensils.cooking utensils.

Nonmaterial culture Nonmaterial culture are are abstract human creations.abstract human creations. Examples of nonmaterial Examples of nonmaterial

culture include beliefs, culture include beliefs, family patterns, ideas, family patterns, ideas, language, political and language, political and economic systems, rules, economic systems, rules, skills, and work practice.skills, and work practice.

5. What is the difference between 5. What is the difference between culture and society?culture and society?

In everyday speech, In everyday speech, people tend to use the people tend to use the terms interchangeably.terms interchangeably.

However, sociologists However, sociologists distinguish between the distinguish between the two.two.

A A society society is a group of is a group of interdependent people interdependent people who have organized in who have organized in such a way as to share a such a way as to share a common culture and common culture and feeling of unity.feeling of unity.

CultureCulture consists of the consists of the material and nonmaterial material and nonmaterial products that people products that people create.create.– The way of life of a group.The way of life of a group.

6. How do you acquire your 6. How do you acquire your culture?culture?

► Culture is both learned and shared.Culture is both learned and shared.►It does not mean that everyone in the U.S. It does not mean that everyone in the U.S.

dresses the same way or belongs to the same dresses the same way or belongs to the same church or listens to the same type of music.church or listens to the same type of music.

► It does mean that most people in the U.S. It does mean that most people in the U.S. choose from among the same broad set of choose from among the same broad set of material and nonmaterial elements culture.material and nonmaterial elements culture.►For example, many languages are spoken in the For example, many languages are spoken in the

U.S.; however, English is the most shared U.S.; however, English is the most shared language.language.

7. What are the five components 7. What are the five components of culture?of culture?

TechnologyTechnology SymbolsSymbols LanguageLanguage ValuesValues NormsNorms

8. Describe how technology is a 8. Describe how technology is a component of culture.component of culture.

Technology is the creation of Technology is the creation of objects and rules.objects and rules.– These objects often make life These objects often make life

easier.easier.

For example, an For example, an understanding of how silicon understanding of how silicon chips work or a knowledge of chips work or a knowledge of computer language are all computer language are all skills related to the computer.skills related to the computer.Sociologists are not only Sociologists are not only interested in skills but also in interested in skills but also in the rules of acceptable the rules of acceptable behavior when using material behavior when using material culture.culture.– ““Hacking” would be considered an Hacking” would be considered an

unacceptable behavior.unacceptable behavior.

9. Describe how symbols are a component of

culture.• It is through symbols that we

create our culture and communicate it to group members and future generations.

• A symbol is anything that represents something else.

• In other words, a symbol has a shared meaning attached to it.

• Any word, gesture, image, sound, physical object, event, or element of the natural world.

• A church service, a class ring, the word hello, the Lincoln Memorial, and a handshake are examples of common symbols in the U.S.

10. Describe how language is a component of culture.

• Language is one of the most obvious aspects of any culture.

• Language is very simply an organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system.

• Have you ever visited a foreign country and been unable to speak the language?• If so, you will realize

how important the use of language is in daily life.

11. Describe how values are a component of culture.• Values are shared

beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable.

• Language allows us to communicate our values to future generations.

• The types of values held by a group help to determine the character of its people. Respect for one’s elders

is an important value in many cultures.

12. Describe how norms are a component of culture. All groups create

norms to enforce their cultural values Norms are shared rules of

conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations.

It is important to keep in mind the norms are expectations for behavior, not actual behavior.

13. Describe and give examples of folkways.

Norms that describe socially acceptable behavior but do not have great moral significance attached to them. In essence, they outline the common customs of everyday life.

Examples of folkways include: not standing for the National Anthem at a sporting event, talking out-loud during a church service, picking your nose in public or cutting in line at the grocery store. Failure to abide by such rules usually results in a reprimand or a minor punishment.

Some degree of nonconformity to folkways is permitted because it does not endanger the well-being or stability of society.

14. Describe and give examples of mores.

• Mores have great moral significance attached to them.

• This relation exists because the violation of such rules endangers society’s well-being and stability.

• For example, dishonesty, fraud, arson and murder all greatly threaten society.

• These are deviances from cultural mores.

• Societies have established punishments for violating mores in order to protect the social well-being.

15. DESCRIBE AND GIVE EXAMPLES OF LAWS.• Societies have established

punishments for violating mores in order to protect the social well-being.

• These serious mores are formalized as laws—written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by the government.

• Most laws enforce mores essential to social stability, such as those against arson, murder, rape, and theft.

• However, laws may also enforce less severe folkways, such as not parking in spaces reserved for drivers with disabilities.

16. Exploring Cultural Diversity—Why did the 16. Exploring Cultural Diversity—Why did the Chevy Nova not sell in Spanish-speaking Chevy Nova not sell in Spanish-speaking

countries?countries?

• The diversity of world languages has created some funny mistakes as the economy has become more global.

• In the 1970s, General Motors executives wondered why their Chevy Nova cars were not selling well in Spanish-speaking countries.

• Management learned that no va in Spanish means “it won’t go.”

17. How does the environment create cultural diversity? Yanomamo Farmers on the border between Brazil

and Venezuela. Studied by anthropologist Napoleon

Chagnon, who called them Fierce People.

Warfare and feats of male strength play an important role in daily life.

30% of male deaths are the result of wounds received in warfare

Farming villages can usually support 500-1000 people, but the Yanomamo rarely have villages larger than 200 people.

Conflicts within the village usually cause groups to split off and form new settlements.

Most instances of warfare occur between split villages.

San Hunter-gatherers in South Africa

(Kalahari desert) Way of life is based on

cooperation San groups have their own

territories, and they take great care not to trespass on the lands of others.

Within groups, all members—except for the very young, the very old, and the sick—take part in the search for food.

The group shares the game it has hunted with all its members.

18. Why is culture considered 18. Why is culture considered “dynamic?”“dynamic?”

Culture is continually changing.Culture is continually changing. New material objects are constantly being New material objects are constantly being

introduced, as are new words, expressions, and introduced, as are new words, expressions, and ideas.ideas.

If cultures are so vast and complicated and are If cultures are so vast and complicated and are constantly changing, how do sociologists study constantly changing, how do sociologists study them?them?

Sociologists examine a culture by breaking it down Sociologists examine a culture by breaking it down into levels and studying each level separately.into levels and studying each level separately.

The features of a culture can be divided into three The features of a culture can be divided into three levels of complexity: traits, complexes, and levels of complexity: traits, complexes, and patterns.patterns.

19. Describe and give examples of cultural traits.

• A cultural trait is the simplest level of culture.• It is the individual tool, act, or belief that is related to a

particular situation or need.• Using knives, forks, and spoons when eating is a culture trait.• Another trait is the specific greeting used when meeting

people, like “hi”.

• In the game of football, the helmet, shoulder pads, and rules are all cultural traits.

20. Describe and give 20. Describe and give examples of culture examples of culture

complexes.complexes.• Individual culture traits Individual culture traits

combine to form the next combine to form the next level—culture complexes.level—culture complexes.

• A A culture complex culture complex is a is a cluster of interrelated traits.cluster of interrelated traits.

• The game of baseball is a The game of baseball is a culture complex that culture complex that involves a variety of traits.involves a variety of traits.– Material traits include Material traits include

shoes (cleats), baseball, shoes (cleats), baseball, bat, cap, and the dugout bat, cap, and the dugout for the players.for the players.

– Hitting, catching, Hitting, catching, throwing, running the throwing, running the bases and the belief that bases and the belief that certain rules should be certain rules should be followed are specific followed are specific beliefs related to the beliefs related to the game.game.

21. Describe and give examples of culture patterns. Culture complexes combine to form larger levels called culture patterns. A culture pattern is the combination of a number of culture complexes

into an interrelated whole. For example, the separate complexes of baseball, basketball, football, soccer,

swimming, tennis, and track combine to form the American athletic pattern. Other patterns relate to such aspects of society as agriculture,

education, family life, manufacturing, and religion. These patterns form important components of a society’s culture.

SOCIOLOGYSOCIOLOGY

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Cultural VariationCultural Variation

Section 2 (pgs. 30-39)Section 2 (pgs. 30-39)

1. How do languages differ 1. How do languages differ across the globe?across the globe?

If you count only the languages If you count only the languages that have more than 2 million that have more than 2 million speakers, there are more than speakers, there are more than 220 different languages in the 220 different languages in the world today.world today.– If you include all the local If you include all the local

languages, the number is languages, the number is enormousenormous

In addition, because there may be In addition, because there may be dialects of the same basic dialects of the same basic language, even people who speak language, even people who speak the same language may have the same language may have difficulty understanding one difficulty understanding one another.another.– For example, in the English For example, in the English

language, British English, language, British English, American English, Canadian American English, Canadian English, and Australian English English, and Australian English are just a few of the possible are just a few of the possible variations.variations.

2. Describe what George 2. Describe what George Murdock’s research found.Murdock’s research found.

Murdock was a famous anthropologist in the 1940s.Murdock was a famous anthropologist in the 1940s. He examined hundreds of different cultures in an attempt to determine what general He examined hundreds of different cultures in an attempt to determine what general

traits are common to all cultures.traits are common to all cultures. Murdock used his research to compile a list of more than 65 Murdock used his research to compile a list of more than 65 cultural cultural

universals.universals. Cultural universals are traits common to all cultures.Cultural universals are traits common to all cultures. These needs are so basic that all societies must develop certain features to These needs are so basic that all societies must develop certain features to

ensure their fulfillment.ensure their fulfillment. Body adornment, cooking, dancing, family, feasting, forms of greeting, funeral ceremonies, gift giving, Body adornment, cooking, dancing, family, feasting, forms of greeting, funeral ceremonies, gift giving,

housing, language, medicine, music, myths and folklore, religion, sports, and tool making.housing, language, medicine, music, myths and folklore, religion, sports, and tool making.

3. Who was Margaret Mead?3. Who was Margaret Mead?Famous anthropologistFamous anthropologistHeld various positions at Held various positions at the American Museum of the American Museum of National History in New National History in New York City.York City.Made numerous field trips Made numerous field trips to the South Seas, where to the South Seas, where she observed primitive she observed primitive societies.societies.In addition to writing In addition to writing several books in several books in anthropology, Mead anthropology, Mead became a well-known became a well-known celebrity.celebrity.She spoke out on She spoke out on women’s rights and world women’s rights and world hunger.hunger.

4. Describe what Margaret Mead’s 4. Describe what Margaret Mead’s research found. What did she research found. What did she conclude about temperament?conclude about temperament?

In the 1930s she conducted a now-classic study In the 1930s she conducted a now-classic study of of cultural variation.cultural variation.

Her purpose in the study was to determine Her purpose in the study was to determine whether differences in basic whether differences in basic temperamenttemperament—the —the fundamental emotional disposition of a person—fundamental emotional disposition of a person—result mainly from result mainly from inherited characteristics inherited characteristics or or from from cultural influencescultural influences..

She lived among the people of She lived among the people of New Guinea New Guinea and and participated in their activities.participated in their activities.

Two of the societies she examined were the Two of the societies she examined were the ArapeshArapesh and and MundugumorMundugumor, who lived only , who lived only about 100 miles apart.about 100 miles apart.

Her conclusion is that temperament is mainly the Her conclusion is that temperament is mainly the result of culture rather than biology.result of culture rather than biology.

Australia

5. Describe the Arapesh.5. Describe the Arapesh.► Contented, gentle, nonaggressive, receptive, trusting, and Contented, gentle, nonaggressive, receptive, trusting, and

warm people.warm people.► Their society is based on complete cooperation.Their society is based on complete cooperation.► They live in close-knit villages consisting of clans—families They live in close-knit villages consisting of clans—families

with a common ancestor.with a common ancestor.► The women bring in firewood and water, prepare daily meals The women bring in firewood and water, prepare daily meals

and carry goods from place to place.and carry goods from place to place.► The men clear and fence the land, build and repair the The men clear and fence the land, build and repair the

houses, carry heavier loads, hunt, plant and care for certain houses, carry heavier loads, hunt, plant and care for certain crops, and cook and carve ceremonial food.crops, and cook and carve ceremonial food.

► Both men and women take care of the children.Both men and women take care of the children.► The children grow up in a very loving and friendly social The children grow up in a very loving and friendly social

environment.environment.► Children are discouraged from displaying any aggression Children are discouraged from displaying any aggression

toward others.toward others.

6. Describe the Mundugumor.

Very aggressive, competitive, jealous, and violent. They delight in showing off and fighting. Until the government banned such activities, they were headhunters. There is open hostility among all members of the same sex. They must reside, scattered throughout the bush. There is great hostility between father and sons, brothers, mothers and

daughters, and sisters. The only ties between members of the same sex are through members

of the opposite sex. These occur through a form of social organization called the rope.

(father-daughters-his daughter’s son, etc.) When a person dies, his property is passed down the rope. Wealth and power for males come mainly from having a large number

of wives. Child-rearing involves the infant being carried in a rigid basket, with

little contact with the mother. Children are not picked up or comforted. Children receive slaps and other physical punishments for breaking

rules.

7. What is ethnocentrism?

It is not unusual for people to have a negative response to cultural traits that differ drastically from their own.

This tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior is called ethnocentrism.

People in all societies are, at times, ethnocentric. The belief that the characteristics of one’s group or

society are right and good helps to build group unity. However, when ethnocentrism becomes extreme,

groups and societies run the risk of excluding new influences that might prove beneficial, thus stagnating the development of culture.

8. WHAT IS MEANT BY CULTURAL RELATIVISM?

Social scientists attempt to keep an open mind toward cultural variations.

They must adopt an attitude in which cultures are judged by their own standards rather than by applying the standards of another culture. Bizarre foods to us?

In other words, researchers who practices from the points of view of the members of the society being studied.

Cultural relativism helps sociologists and anthropologists understand practices that seem strange or different from those of their own culture.

9. How might cultural 9. How might cultural relativism help you explain relativism help you explain

this image?this image?• Cultural relativism Cultural relativism

helps explain that helps explain that the family wearing the family wearing black are dressed black are dressed differently from differently from typical beachgoerstypical beachgoers

• The family is Amish The family is Amish and has different and has different cultural beliefs cultural beliefs about proper dress about proper dress for the beach.for the beach.

10. Who developed the idea of a subculture? What is a subculture?• Edwin Sutherland developed the idea of

subcultures in the 1920s, through his work on crime and juvenile delinquency.

• Subcultures are groups who share values, norms and behaviors that are not shared by the entire population. Examples include, San Francisco’s

Chinatown, Little Havana in Miami and the Navajo of the Southwest.

Other examples include, the military, the police, lawyers, physicians, teachers, and religious leaders.

Subcultures also develop around age groups. Youth subcultures include music choice, hair

and dress styles,

11. What is cultural discontinuity?• When members of a subculture find their beliefs,

values, or practices at odds with those of the larger or predominant culture.

• Because public schools promote and value the culture traits of the predominant culture.

• Spanish-speaking at home vs. English-speaking at school.

12. What is the difference 12. What is the difference between a between a subculturesubculture and a and a

counterculturecounterculture?? In most instances, subcultures do not present a In most instances, subcultures do not present a

threat to society.threat to society. Most subcultures do not reject all of the values and Most subcultures do not reject all of the values and

practices of the larger society and do not present a practices of the larger society and do not present a threat to society.threat to society.

However, countercultures consciously intend to However, countercultures consciously intend to challenge the values of the larger society. challenge the values of the larger society. Examples include, anarchists, organized crime Examples include, anarchists, organized crime

families, and the hippie movement of the 1960s.families, and the hippie movement of the 1960s. These groups reject the major values, norms, These groups reject the major values, norms,

and practices of the larger society and replace and practices of the larger society and replace them with a new set of cultural patterns.them with a new set of cultural patterns. Mafia—involved with the drug trade & gambling.Mafia—involved with the drug trade & gambling.