SAMPLE Sociology
Chapter 3: Culture Overview
In this chapter, we will discuss the concept of culture and its various associated aspects, including material and non-material culture and theoretical approaches. The chapter will further explore the structural-functional, social conflict, and sociobiology theories and discuss ideal culture, real culture, ethnocentrism, and cultural relativism. Learning Objectives ● Understandthevariousdefinitionsofcultureandbeabletodifferentiatebetweenmaterialand non-material culture. ● Describe the major theoretical approaches to the study of culture, including structural-functionalism, social conflict theory, and sociobiology. ● Identify the various components of culture, such as values and beliefs, norms, symbols and languages, and rituals. ● Analyze the multifaceted concept of culture, including ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. ● Explain how innovation and diffusion contribute to the process of globalization. A. What is Culture? All human communities have culture, which includes the language used, values, beliefs, norms, and items handed down from generation to generation. Culture is universally experienced by all human communities, even though the specifics can vary from one societal group to another. Thisisbecause every society creates a set of learned, common ways to perceive and engage in the world. By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
Society vs. Culture
Society refers to a group of individuals who interact and live together in a specific geographical area, sharingsocialinstitutions,norms,andorganizations.It isacollectiveofpeoplewithestablishedstructuresand roles.
Culture, on the other hand, encompasses the shared beliefs, values, customs, traditions, language, and behaviorsofagroupwithinasociety.Itrepresentsthe unique way of life and the shared identity of a particular group of people.
In summary, society is the group of people, while culture is the shared identity and way of life that characterizes that group. Society provides the structure, while culture provides the meaning and practices within that structure. Materialculture and nonmaterialculture arethetwosubcategoriesof culture.
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