Culture - the total way of life in a society

1. Culture- the total way of life in a society

2. Material Culture • Concrete, tangible objects

3. Nonmaterial Culture • Non physical ideas, knowledge, and beliefs that influence human behavior

4. Sociobiology- study of basic human behavior Instinct- genetically inherited patterns of behavior Reflexes- biological, automatic reactions to physical stimuli Drive- biological impulses which reduce discomfort

5. Ideal culture is what society claims they do and believe in, but real culture is what society actually does

6. Subculture- part of dominant culture but differs in some aspects

7. Counterculture- a subculture deliberately opposed to central beliefs of a society

8. Culture Universals- general culture traits that exist in all cultures • Language, Laws, Beliefs, Cooking… • Culture Particulars- traits that make a culture unique or separate it • Chops sticks vs. Utensils

9. Ethnocentrism- judging others in terms of ones own cultural standards Hidden Curriculum- the informal and unofficial aspects of culture that children are taught in school

10. Society- people who live a defined territory and have a common culture • Social Solidarity- ties in a society that bind people to one another • Family, religion, occupations • Social Categories- grouping of people who share a common social characteristic • Classes: Upper, middle, lower

11. Socialization • Desocialization- process by which previous socialization is undone • Brainwashing • Resocialization- the process learning new attitudes and norms required for new social role • New military recruits, released prisoners • Anticipatory Socialization- informal adoption of behavior for a status not yet achieved • Children anticipate parenthood by observing parents

12. Role- an expected behavior • Role Performance- the actual behavior of an individual • “Mother” or “Father” • Role conflict- the performance of one role interferes with that of another role • Heart surgeon/father- has to do surgery on sons birthday and miss the party • Role Strain- condition in which the role you are performing places too many demands on you • Mother who worries about germs and finds she does not have enough hours in the day to keep her house clean

13. Obligation- a behavior that individuals are expected to perform • Stand for national anthem • “Me”- a persons sense of self • I know who I am • “I”- a persons response to the attitude of those around him/her

14. Norms- rules defining appropriate behavior • Values- ideas about what is good, right, fair, and just • Folkways or Mores- informal norms characterized by being followed through imitation and mild social pressure but not strictly enforced or put into law.

15. Taboo- a rule of social behavior in which the violation calls for a strong punishment • Adultery, using drugs, child pornography • Laws- norms that is formally defined and enforced by officials

16. Sanctions- rewards and punishments used to encourage people to follow norms • Formal Sanctions- sanctions imposed by persons of authority • Informal Sanctions- form of controls, such as, shame, ridicule, sarcasm, which lead to conformity