Ch 3 notes - the building blocks of culture: symbols, language, values, norms, rituals PDF

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the building blocks of culture: symbols, language, values, norms, rituals ...

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The Building Blocks of Culture 1. Symbols- anything that stands for something else and has a particular meaning for people who share a culture a. Symbols take many forms and distinguish one culture from another b. Can unify or divide a society c. Can change over time 2. Language- system of shard symbols that enables people to communicate with one another a. Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (ppt)- language provides people with a framework for interpreting social reality and the world around them b. Why language is important- it conveys our ideas, transmits information, influence’s people’s attitudes and behaviors, directs out thinking, controls our actions, and shapes our expression of emotions. 3. Values- standards by which people define what is good or bad, moral or immoral, proper or improper, desirable or undesirable, beautiful or ugly. More of general guidelines than actual rules a. Major U.S. values- achievement and success, activity and work, humanitarianism, efficiency and practicality, progress, material possessions, freedom and equality, conformity, democracy, and individualism b. Sometimes values conflict or contradict each other, they vary across cultures and change overtime 4. Norms- society’s specific rules of right and wrong behavior a. Tell us what we should, ought, and must do. Not what we shouldn’t, ought not, and must not do. b. Most are unwritten- passed down orally from generation to generation c. Instrumental- serve a purpose d. Explicit (save your money for a rainy day) or implicit (be respectful at a wake) e. They change over time f. Most are conditional- apply in specific situations g. Rigid or flexible h. They regulate our behavior but can differ because of age, social class, gender, and race i. Folkways- norms that involve everyday customs, practices, and interaction (exetiquette), vary from country to country j. Mores- norms that people consider very important because they maintain moral and ethical behavior (ex- no cheating on spouse, no murder) things you MUST do not OUGHT to do k. Laws- formally defined norms about what is legal or illegal, formal and will be enforced l. Sanctions- rewards for good or appropriate behavior and/or penalties for bad or inappropriate behavior 5. Rituals- formal and repeated behaviors that unite people (ex- giving gifts of Christmas, funeral ceremonies, weddings)...