Vibe Check
A student travels abroad and notices people eat dinner much later and greet with cheek kisses instead of handshakes. These shared patterns of behavior reflect what broad concept?
What is culture?
A story passed down about a hero who saves the community and teaches moral lessons represents what cultural storytelling form?
What is a myth?
A person keeps a small shrine of family heirlooms they treat with unusual respect. This reflects which type of consumption?
What is sacred consumption?
Consumers start buying a new flavor of soft drink simply because it just hit the market. What do they consider it?
What is an innovation?
Teens in multiple countries follow the same influencers, wear the same brands, and watch the same shows. What cultural phenomenon does this reflect?
What is global consumer culture?
When a company wants to tailor its marketing, it studies the “personality” of a nation — the values, norms, and traditions people share. What is this “personality” called?
What is culture?
In many cultures, stories explain why the sun rises or how the world began. These myths serve which cultural function?
What is the metaphysical function?
A consumer buys paper towels and detergent without any emotional connection. This is an example of which type of consumption?
What is profane consumption?
A coffee maker gets a new color option and quieter motor, but the product’s basic use doesn’t change. What kind of innovation is this?
What is continuous innovation?
A marketer studies how much a country values independence, hierarchy, risk-avoidance, and masculinity. What cultural model is she using?
What is Hofstede’s cultural dimensions?
A researcher is studying how a culture organizes family roles and community hierarchy. She is focusing on which part of the cultural system?
What is the social structure subsystem?
A teen gets their driver’s license, buys their first car, and celebrates with friends. These steps mark a transition to a new social status. What is this sequence of events?
What is a rite of passage?
A baseball signed by a famous athlete is placed on display because the owner believes it carries special meaning. What process is happening?
What is objectification?
When the first smartphones were released, they fundamentally changed how people communicate and live. What type of innovation was this?
What is discontinuous innovation?
In one country, employees rarely question managers and expect clear hierarchy. What cultural dimension does this represent?
What is high power distance?
When a film studio produces a movie, executives make budget decisions, creative teams write and design scenes, and marketers promote it. These groups together form what system that creates cultural meaning?
What is the Culture Production System?
Every year, a family follows the exact same routine of decorating, baking, and exchanging gifts. Which category of cultural behavior does this represent?
What is a ritual?
Tourists visiting New Orleans buy mini–Mardi Gras masks, magnets, and photos to remember the trip. These items are examples of what type of cultural object?
What are sacred souvenir icons?
A new smart appliance becomes popular because it fits seamlessly into people’s daily routines and doesn’t require them to change habits. This reflects what adoption factor?
What is compatibility?
Consumers who love global brands because they see them as glamorous and high-quality—without thinking critically about their impact—fit which global brand category?
Who are global dreamers?
Reusable water bottles become popular because they align with environmental values and lifestyles. This reflects the movement of meaning from cultural values into consumer goods. What concept explains this process?
What is the movement of meaning (cultural meaning transfer)?
A group of friends visit the same brunch spot every Sunday, always taking photos and doing the same sequence of actions. This repeated, symbolic behavior reflects what cultural concept?
What is a ritual (a patterned sequence of symbolic behaviors)?
A holiday like Christmas becomes less spiritual and more focused on shopping, mass-produced décor, and gift-buying. What cultural process does this illustrate?
What is desacralization?
A fashion trend spreads quickly because it is easy to understand, clearly visible on social media, and obviously better than older styles. Which three innovation factors does this illustrate?
What are observability, low complexity, and relative advantage?
A researcher tries to understand a culture by exploring its practices from the perspective of someone inside that culture, rather than imposing outside standards. What approach is she taking?
What is the emic perspective?