CHAPTER 3: CULTURE &

NORMS

WHAT IS CULTURE?

The knowledge, values, customs,

and material objects passed from
one group to another group or society

(Culture is) A toolkit for the survival of mankind

Society and Culture are independent, neither could exist

without the other

In order for a society to survive there must be laws, rules, and

guidelines, all of which are culture driven

Functionalists might call it a symbiotic relationship

Some cultures vary widely from others

For instance the Horns sign commonly used at sports events in the
U.S. implies that your spouse is unfaithful in Italy
Even more diametric; the symbol for ok, in Tunisia means Ill kill
you!

I hope at least the peace sign is universal

THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE

We (humans) are not born with the information

necessary to survive, i.e. we have no instincts
Nurture

and not Nature

An instinct is an unlearned biological behavior common to

members of the same species (Spiders do not need to learn
how to build webs, they just know instinctually)

Reflexes

and Drives

A reflex is an involuntary response to physical stimuli

Sneezing and blinking when faced with an irritant
A drive is an unlearned impulse that satisfy basic needs
Sleep, food, water, and (ahem) procreation

Culture

drives

however can channel these reflexes and

For sneezing, the appropriate way to respond to a sneeze

SUB-TYPES OF CULTURE

Material and Non-Material culture

Material

culture consists of the physical or tangible

creations that can be made, used, or shared

Food, Books, anything touchable

Technology

is the knowledge, techniques, and tools to

transform resources into usable forms
Non-Material culture consists of the abstract or
intangible creations that influence peoples behavior

Language, Beliefs, Values, anything of a mental construct

Cultural Universals
Customs

and practices common to all societies

Sports, bodily adornment, social institutions, (and many

more!)

COMPONENTS OF CULTURE

All cultures have four common components

Symbols,

language, values, and norms

Ultimately, these four things cause either harmony or strife

across societies

Symbols
Anything that meaningfully represents something else
(A Valentines heart : Love) (Swastika : Hate) (Siren : Warning)
Everything, arguably, could be considered symbolic of something
Language
A set of symbols that express ideas, and enables people to think and
communicate with one another
Verbal, gestural, written, even smell (subconsciously)!
Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
Language shapes the view(s) of reality of its speakers
Language precedes thought, i.e. no language, no thought

Certain words carry connotations, either

negative or positive

Connotations are implied definitions, dictated by a

persons opinion often
Denotations are the accepted, dictionary definition of
the word

LANGUAGE AND GENDER

The English language ignores women!

It uses masculine forms of words to refer to
human beings in general
Chairman, mankind

Quite often in the

English language people
often inadvertently
connote predispositions
to men and women when
asked to describe them.
For example:
Women are often
described by their sexual
objectivity as foxes,
broads, babes, chicks, or
miss/ mrs.

Men tend to be
described by their sexual
prowess as dudes, studs,
or hunks

(Keep in mind
connotations vary greatly
from generation to
generation)

Values are collective ideas about right and wrong,

good or bad, and desirable or undesirable in a
particular culture

Do we have Core Values in the United States?

Ten Core Values identified by Robin M. Williams, Jr. in
the 1970s

Not THE Robin Williams, this guy is much less funny

Individualism (ability, work ethic, responsibility)

2)

Achievement and Success (do better in life)

3)

Activity and Work (work in play, active lifestyle)

4)

Science and Technology (expectations from)

5)

Progress and Comfort (goods, services, and necessities)

6)

Efficiency and Practicality (bigger, better, faster things)

7)

Equality (class equality and opportunity)

8)

Morality and Humanitarianism (aiding others in need)

9)

Freedom and Liberty (self explanatory)

10)

Racism and Superiority (value group above others)

Value contradictions:

Mutually exclusive values

(We may want to help but
it might be impossible to
do so)

Ideal Culture

Values and standards in

society profess to hold

VALUES

1)

Realistic Culture

Values and standards

people actually follow
For example:

People claim to be very

law abiding, yet smoke
marijuana (hmm)
People think themselves
to be good drivers, yet
constantly drive over the
speed limit

NORMS

Established rules of behavior or standards of conduct

Prescriptive Norms
What behavior is appropriate or acceptable
Proscriptive Norms
What behavior is inappropriate or unacceptable

Formal and Informal Norms

Formal norms are written down, and often carry specific

punishments for violators
Positive or negative; praise and honors; versus, disapproval to the
death penalty!
Informal norms are unwritten, often carry informal sanctions and
are often not clearly defined (they often vary among sub-groups)
Informal sanctions may include but are not limited to: frowns,
gestures, scoffs, remarks, etc.

Norms are often classified by their relative

social importance
Folkways

Informal, everyday customs that if violated

carry little consequences, and are not enforced
Lack of: deodorant, brushing teeth, or
appropriate clothing

Mores

(Mor-ays) A particular cultures strongly held

norms with moral and ethical connotations
that may not be violated without serious
consequences
May result in loss of employment, ridicule,
or imprisonment
Taboos, strong mores that their violation is
extremely offensive, and unmentionable
Incest is a widely accepted taboo

Laws

Formal, standardized norms enacted by

legislatures and enforced throughout

DEGREES OF NORMS

The following are

considered to be of
increasing degree as one
progresses downward

CULTURAL CHANGE

Cultures are not static, they often change over time

Typically,

cultures change with the onset of major

technology (and understanding), or a radical regime change

Cultural Lag

Lag (coined by William Ogburn) is the gap between

technical development and its moral and legal institutions

Cultural

Occurs when material culture changes faster than non-material

culture
Onset of computers and personal privacy for instance

Changes that can alter culture:

Discovery,

invention, and diffusion

Learning and recognizing, new technology, transmission of other

culture

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

The range of cultural differences within a nation

Nations can be homogenous or heterogeneous

Subcultures
Category of people who share distinguishing attributes,
beliefs, values, and/or norms that set them apart from the
primary culture in some way.

Essentially same or different (Sweden compared to the U.S.A.)

Significant age differences, the Amish, Native Americans, Ethnic

groups in nation (like Chinatown or Little Havana)

Countercultures
Group that rejects dominant societal values and norms
Beatniks (50s), Flower Children (60s), Drug Enthusiasts
(70s)**, members of cults and sects
**How old is Professor Thomas?...

CULTURE SHOCK, ETHNOCENTRISM, AND

RELATIVISM

Culture Shock refers to disorientation upon

experiencing radically different cultures
See

Napoleon Chagnon and the Yanomam tribe (pg. 92)

Ethnocentrism
The

practice of judging all other cultures by ones own

culture

Positive or negative; anthems and flags, to superiority and

stereotypes

Cultural Relativism
The

belief that the behaviors and customs of any culture

must be analyzed by the cultures own standards

See Hinduism and sacred cattle (pg. 93)

High Culture versus Popular Culture

High Culture consists of classical music, opera,

ballet, live theater, heavy European influence

Popular Culture consists of activities, products,

and services that are assumed to appeal to the
middle and working class

Typically found among Upper and Upper-middle

class persons

Rock concerts, sports events, sit-coms, etc.

U.S. pop-culture is considered homegrown

Forms of Pop-Culture

Fad

Fashion

A temporary but widely copied activity, followed

enthusiastically by a large number of people
Four sub-categories: object, activity, idea,
personality
Currently valued style of behavior, thinking, or
appearance, usually more widespread than a fad

Leisure Activity

Culturally accepted form of activity

GLOBAL POPULAR CULTURE

Cultural
Imperialism:

The extensive infusion

of one nations culture
into other nations
For Example
The widespread
infusion of the English
language

The second most

exported item in the
U.S. is its culture in
the form of films,
clothing, and popculture

A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF
CULTURE
Macro-level

Functionalist

Micro-level

Culture helps people meet

their biological,
instrumental, and expressive
needs

Symbolic-Interactionist

Conflict

Ideas are a cultural creation

of societys most powerful
members and can be used by
the ruling class to affect the
thoughts and actions of
members of other classes
Control via cultural
occupation of lower class

People create, maintain, and

modify culture during their
everyday activities; however,
cultural creations can take on
a life of their own and end up
controlling people

Postmodern

Much of culture today is

based on simulation of reality
rather than reality itself

How television and

internet depict reality

REFERENCES AND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
o

Sociology In Our Times (Seventh Edition)

o By: Diana Kendall
Notes incorporated
o By: James V. Thomas, NIU Professor (Emeritus)
o Formatted By: Jacob R. Kalnins, NIU student
Pictures Incorporated
o Clip Art (PowerPoint: 2007)
o Google Images: Sociology In Our Times