Culture Basics
What term describes the shared beliefs, behaviors, customs, and objects that make up a group's way of life?
Culture
What is an object, gesture, or sign that carries a shared meaning within a culture?
Symbol
What are the shared rules and expectations that guide people's behavior in society?
Social norms
What term describes confusion or discomfort when encountering an unfamiliar culture?
Culture shock
Opera performances, classical music concerts, and fine-art galleries are commonly associated with which type of culture?
High culture
What is a group within a larger society that shares distinctive interests, values, or behaviors?
Subculture
Clothing, smartphones, buildings, and other physical objects are examples of what type of culture?
Material culture
What system of spoken, written, or signed communication allows people to share their culture?
Language
Waiting your turn in line and saying "please" are examples of what type of informal norm?
Folkways
What is the belief that your own culture is superior to other cultures?
Ethnocentrism
Viral social media trends, blockbuster movies, and widely streamed music are examples of which type of culture?
Popular culture (pop culture)
What type of group actively rejects or opposes important values and expectations of mainstream society?
Counterculture
Shared beliefs, traditions, values, and language are examples of what type of culture?
Non-material culture
What term describes cultural standards that help people determine what is important, right, or wrong?
Values
Rules against stealing or cheating are examples of what type of norm associated with serious moral expectations?
Mores
What approach encourages people to understand another culture's practices within that culture's own context rather than judging them by outside standards?
Cultural relativism
Traditional dances, regional recipes, and crafts passed down through generations are examples of what?
Folk culture
What term describes the beliefs and practices that are widely accepted or shared within the larger society?
Mainstream culture
What term describes a group of people who live together and share social institutions, rather than just their way of life?
Society
A student thinks that earning a college degree will lead to greater career opportunities. This specific idea about the world is an example of what?
Belief
What type of norm involves behavior that a society considers deeply unacceptable or strongly forbidden?
Taboos
A student assumes that everyone in a particular cultural group behaves the same way. What is this oversimplified generalization called?
Stereotype
Television, streaming services, and social media help popular culture spread rapidly through what form of communication?
Mass media
A society containing many different cultural groups, traditions, and identities is described as what type of society?
Heterogeneous society
A school has students who celebrate different holidays, speak different languages, and follow different traditions. What sociological concept does this demonstrate?
Cultural diversity
Parents teach their children family traditions, and those children eventually teach the same traditions to the next generation. What is this process called?
Cultural transmission
A student is suspended for stealing school property. The suspension is an example of what type of sanction?
Formal negative sanction
A visitor believes a quiet student is being disrespectful, but in the student's culture, remaining quiet while an adult speaks communicates respect. What cultural difference caused this misunderstanding?
Differences in cultural norms and nonverbal communication
A traditional regional song becomes a worldwide hit after being shared on social media. It now has characteristics of which TWO types of culture?
Folk culture and popular culture
A fashion trend begins in one country and becomes popular in several others. What is the process of cultural elements spreading between societies called?
Cultural diffusion