Culture

1) Culture is Learned
– Defines values and
Features of 2)
beliefs
Culture is Shared
Culture – Learned through
interaction
– Shared symbols
3) Transmitted
– Generational
4) Cumulative
– Changes and evolves
5) Human
 1. Material Culture
– Physical objects,
artifacts
Two Segments
2. Non-Material Culture
– Abstract components:
beliefs, values,
ideologies, norms,
etc.
 a) Values:
– Beliefs about behaviour
Values and – Right/Wrong

Norms b) Norms:
– Rules and Expectations
– Supposed to behave
– Society guides our
behaviour
Norms can be:
● Formal: written rules,
laws, requirements
● Informal: casual,
manners, customs
 B) Two types of Norms:
(W.G. Sumner)
Folkways:
Folkways and – Suggestive ways of
behaviour
– No severe moral
Mores condemnation
Example?

Mores:
– Very important norms
– Strong MORAL
condemnation
Example?

Taboos:
- Actions, behaviours, beliefs
that are forbidden
- Hold sacred or moral belief
Social Control

●Attempts to regulate thoughts and

behaviours
●Social Sanctions:
– Positive
– Negative
 Symbols:
• Stand or represent something else
that has shared meaning to a group
• Used to communicate with others
Symbols • Changes with time
• Distinguishes one culture from
another

What are some of Canada’s

symbols??? Think of as many
as you can.

Molson
 Cultures represented
through language
– Shared symbol system
Language of meanings
– STRONG influence on
culture
– If language is ‘lost’,
consequence?

Example: French in
Quebec
– Language laws Bills 22
and 101
 Ethnocentrism:
• Tendency to evaluate one’s
own culture as superior to
Ethnocentrism others
and Cultural
Relativism Cultural Relativism:
• All cultures have intrinsic
worth
• Each must be evaluated and
understood by its OWN
standards

Example: Arranged Marriages

Culture as Innovation
High Culture:
– Distinguishes society's elite
– Used to maintain status

Popular Culture:
– Widespread
– Mainstream
 1) Subcultures:
• Segment of a culture that has
Cultural characteristics that distinguish
it from the broader culture
Diversity – Based on race, ethnicity, age,
religion, gender, etc.
– Distinct values, norms,
folkways
 2) Counterculture:
Cultural group in sharp contrast
with dominant culture!
Cultural • Values and norms in opposition

Diversity

What are some countercultures

existing in Canada?