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The Dispute Over Defining Culture Chapter 1. What are the meanings of the following terms? Culture, race, co-culture, subculture, & subgroup Give examples of norms or rules of behavior provided by diverse cultures and subgroups. Culture Defined.
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The Dispute Over Defining CultureChapter 1 • What are the meanings of the following terms? • Culture, race, co-culture, subculture, & subgroup • Give examples of norms or rules of behavior provided by diverse cultures and subgroups
Culture Defined • The traditions, customs, norms, beliefs, values and thought patterning passed down from generation to generation. • Culture refers to: • A community or population large enough to be self-sustaining • The totality of the group’s thought • A process of social transmission of these thoughts and behaviors over the course of generations. • Members who identify themselves with that group • Cultural Identity.
Race Defined • Race: refers to large body of people characterized by similarity of descent. • Biological definition. • Race such as skin color and hair texture were caused by recent evolution in response to climate and diet. • 20th century studies indicated that there is NO single race-defining gene. • Race is a sociohistorical concept.
Ethnicity Defined • It reflects a continuing social debate. • Ethnic group refer to a group of people of the same descent and heritage who share a common and distinctive culture passed on through generation. • E.g., Italian-American, Asian-American (culture within a culture).
Subculture Defined • Subculture: a part of the world • A subdivision is a part of but no less important. • May imply being under or beneath or being inferior • Exists within a dominant culture & often based on economic or social class, race or geographical region.
Myths Defined • Represent the society’s values and are passed on from generation to generation. • Make the world understandable, support the social order. • Change slowly and are widely taught and believed. • Myths are expressed in the rituals of a culture in story form and in novels and literature.
Co-Culture Defined • No culture is inherently superior to other co-existing culture • American Indian Nation
Rules vs. Norms • Rules: socially agreed-on behavior • Individual guidelines for behavior. • Norms: appropriate and inappropriate behavior. • Individuals are rewarded or punished as they conform to or deviate from the norms. • Superstitions: some cultural customs are labeled as superstitions.
