Overview
This lecture introduces the sociological study of culture, examining how culture shapes identity and behavior. It explores different types of culture and outlines various sociological perspectives on culture.
Defining Culture
- Culture is the way of life of a particular group, influencing who people are, how they act, and how they think.
- It consists of shared norms (expected behaviors) and values (shared beliefs) within a social group.
- Cultural norms and values are shaped by factors such as social class, geographical location, and religion.
- Culture is a key part of individual identity and affects how people experience society.
Aspects of Culture
- Language: Includes common languages, regional dialects, accents, idioms, slang, abbreviations, and even digital forms like emojis and memes. Language is a major way culture is expressed and shared.
- Cuisine: Food and eating customs are often seen as central to culture. While traditional foods are important, global food trends have blended many culinary traditions.
- Clothing and Dress: Styles of dress can signal cultural identity and group membership.
- Music, Art, and Celebrations: Different cultures have unique forms of music, art, rituals, and celebrations that reflect their values and traditions.
- Beliefs and Practices: Both religious beliefs and secular practices shape cultural identity and influence how groups and individuals behave.
Types of Culture
- Mainstream (Popular) Culture: The dominant way of life in a society, reflected in widely shared norms, trends, fashion, language, and entertainment.
- Folk Culture: Traditional and often regional practices, such as folk music, local dances, and festivals. These are usually rooted in the history of a community.
- Global Culture: The result of globalization, where elements from different cultures merge, leading to shared foods, art, and values across the world. Some sociologists argue this often reflects the spread of Western culture.
- High Culture: Cultural products and activities considered sophisticated and of high value, typically associated with higher-status groups (e.g., opera, ballet, classical music, theater).
- Low Culture: Everyday entertainment and activities, often associated with the working class and sometimes devalued by elites (e.g., soap operas, sports, electronic gaming).
- Subcultures: Groups within society that develop their own distinct norms and values, often seen in music, fashion, and lifestyle (e.g., goths, punks, ravers, mods, rockers).
Sociological Perspectives on Culture
- Functionalism: Views culture as a reflection of shared norms and values, creating a value consensus. Most people conform to these, but those who do not may form subcultures with their own norms and values.
- Conflict Theory (Marxism): Argues that culture reflects the interests of the most powerful groups, especially economic elites. The dominant (hegemonic) culture serves to maintain their power and wealth.
- Feminism: Suggests that culture is patriarchal, meaning it is shaped by and for the interests of men, often at the expense of women.
- Social Action Theory (Interactionism): Sees culture as socially constructed through people's interactions, interpretations, and shared meanings of symbols, language, and behaviors.
- Postmodernism: Claims there is no longer a single dominant culture. Increased diversity and globalization have led to fragmented cultures, with individuals choosing their own norms and values based on personal experiences.
Challenges in Defining Culture
- Culture is subjective; individuals and groups value different aspects of culture in different ways.
- Social norms and values can change rapidly, especially within youth cultures, leading to confusion and resistance from dominant groups.
- Cultural norms are not universal and can vary greatly between societies, social groups, and over time (e.g., attitudes toward alcohol, child-rearing, education, and family life).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Culture: The way of life, norms, and values shared by a group.
- Norms: Expected behaviors within a group or society.
- Values: Beliefs or standards considered important by a group.
- Mainstream culture: The dominant culture shared by the majority.
- Folk culture: Traditional, often localized cultural practices.
- Global culture: Culture shaped by global influences and interconnectedness.
- High culture: Cultural goods and activities associated with elite groups.
- Low culture: Everyday, popular cultural practices.
- Subculture: A smaller group with distinct norms and values.
- Hegemonic norms: Norms imposed by dominant or elite groups.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of different types of culture in your own community.
- Prepare notes on how different sociological perspectives explain cultural variation for the next class discussion.