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Goal 1: Distinguish between Difference and Inequality. Culture. The values , beliefs , behavior and material objects which together form a way of life. Elements of Culture:. Symbols: Anything that carries a particular meaning which is recognized by people who share a culture.
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Culture • The values, beliefs, behavior and material objects which together form a way of life
Elements of Culture: • Symbols: Anything that carries a particular meaning which is recognized by people who share a culture. • Ex: Word, gesture, look, movement • (Something which causes the sender and receiver to share a response.)
Elements of Culture: • Language: A system of symbols put together to allow people to communicate with each other. • Ex: A complete thought, sentence
Elements of Culture: • Values: Culturally defined standards used by people to assess goodness, beauty, desirability. They serve as broad guidelines for social living. • Ex: Beliefs- Equality for all, Freedom of choice
Elements of Culture: • Norms: Rules and expectations which people use to guide the behavior of the members of society. • Ex: Mores- Laws (Formal, important) • Folkways- Rules for behavior (Informal, unwritten)
Similarity-Attraction PrincipleFollows the Theory of Social Distance, which the tendency to approach or be drawn to a group which is similar to you; and to withdraw from a group which is different from you.
Why is sensitivity a desirable attitude? • Denying opportunities to an entire group only leads to conflict • Oppression of selected racial & ethnic groups serves the interest of only some peoples vested interested • The social system in the U.S. has historically been about oppression (the opposite of the stated intention) • The need is for a more Pluralistic society
Why is sensitivity a desirable attitude? • Denying opportunities to an entire group only leads to conflict • Oppression of selected racial and ethnic groups serves the interest of some peoples vested interest
Why is sensitivity a desirable attitude? • The social system in the U.S. has historically been about oppression (The opposite of the stated intention) • The need is for a more Pluralistic Society
How might one cultivate sensitivity? • Set aside the method of identifying people by their physical characteristics • Focus on individual traits, abilities and strengths • Allow others to identify their own space (Identity)
Cultural terminology • Race: A group socially set apart from the dominant group by obvious physical differences. • Ethnicity: A group set apart from the dominant group because of national origin or distinctive cultural patterns. • Religion: A group set apart from the dominant group because of differences in faith (beliefs), religious practices and symbols. • Gender: Females have been subordinate to men and meet most of the criteria for a minority.
Subordinate group (Minority) • It is not about numbers of people. • Members receive unequal treatment. • Members share physical or cultural characteristics. • Members are born into the group. • Members have a strong sense of group solidarity. • Members generally marry other members.
Cultural Difference: This idea grows out of Pluralism, where each cultural group, while different, is equal;vs.Cultural Inequality: this idea grows out of Multicultural Theory where the focus is on gaining clout (power) for all subordinate groups
Genocide: A deliberate, systematic killing of an entire people (society/ ethnic group) or nation.Ex: Germany (1935-45) Jews and other ethnic minoritiesBosnia (1990’s) Ethnic Serbs by Muslims
Expulsion: Dominant group forces a subordinate group to leave a specific area, or the country.Ex: “Ethnic cleansing” U.S. Government policy toward Native Americans (1830-1880)
Segregation: Physical separation of a subordinate group(s) in residence, workplace and social functions.Ex: U.S. Government policy from 1866-1965. Unofficial term- Jim Crow laws; Officially referred to- U.S. Supreme Court decision Plessey v. Ferguson
Melting Pot: (Fusion) A subordinate group and a dominant group combine to form a new group. A+B+C=DAlso: Where diverse racial or ethnic groups from a totally new groupEx: Assimilation: A+B+C=APluralism: A+B+C=A+B+CMarginality: When a person or group is between two cultural groups at the same timeJewish------Jew-------AmericanTheir ethnic identity------minority------American