Scribd
Upload
36 views32 pages

Culture Determinationss

The document discusses the key concepts of material culture and nonmaterial culture. Material culture refers to physical objects created and used by people, while nonmaterial culture includes abstract human creations like beliefs, language, and social systems. The document also examines the components that make up culture, including physical objects/technology, symbols, language, values, norms, and the different levels of cultural traits, complexes, and patterns.

Uploaded by

hot fun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
36 views32 pages

Culture Determinationss

The document discusses the key concepts of material culture and nonmaterial culture. Material culture refers to physical objects created and used by people, while nonmaterial culture includes abstract human creations like beliefs, language, and social systems. The document also examines the components that make up culture, including physical objects/technology, symbols, language, values, norms, and the different levels of cultural traits, complexes, and patterns.

Uploaded by

hot fun
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 32

CULTURE

what makes human societies different


from other groups of social animals
 a system of beliefs and feelings that
unify a group and gives it an
identity as a society
The ways of thinking, the ways of
acting, and the material objects that
together form a people’s way of
life
 a way of life
Culture can be divided into…
Nonmaterial culture:
Abstract human creations (can’t touch it)
Language, family patterns, Ideas ,work practices, political and
economic systems

Material culture:

physical things formed by the physical objects that people


create.
Cars, clothing, books, buildings, computers
The Meaning of Culture

Question:
How do material culture
and nonmaterial
culture differ?
The Meaning of Culture
CULTURE
all the shared products
of human groups

Material Culture Non material Culture


physical objects that people abstract human creations
create and use

Examples Examples
automobiles, books, beliefs, family patterns, ideas,
buildings, clothing, language, political and
computers, and cooking economic systems, and rules
Components of Culture
Physical Objects (Technology)
Symbols
Language
Values
Norms
Physical Objects
 Not only the “Physical” objects, but also the
RULES for using those objects
 Technology:Knowledge and tools people use for
practical purposes.
– Sociologists interested in skills AND acceptable
behaviors when using material culture.
 Ex. Computer= Physical
 Surfing the Web= Rules and skills related to
COMPUTER
Symbols
Symbols – anything that carries a particular
meaning recognized by people who share
a culture.
Symbols can be logos…
Symbols can mean social causes
Symbols can communicate
instructions
Symbols remind us of our history
and values
Language
 Language – a system of symbols that allows
people to communicate
 Through language we can transmit culture.
Wisdom over time is passed down through
language.
Values and Beliefs
 Values – culturally defined standards that people use to
decide what is desirable, good, and beautiful and that
serve as broad guidelines for social living

 EX: the value of respecting others and being concerned


for human life.

 Beliefs – specific ideas that people hold to be true

Values tend to be general, and beliefs tend to be


specific. They are linked…your abstract values
affect the specific things you believe about the
world.
Norms

Rules and expectations by


which a society guides
the behavior of its
members.
 Norms: shared rules of
conduct that tell people how to
act in specific situations.
–EX: respect for the Turkish
flag
Types of Norms:
1. Mores

2. Folkways

2. Laws
Mores:
 Norms that are widely observed and have
great moral significance. They are
taboos. Violation of rules endangers
society’s well- being.
– EX: murder, fraud, dishonesty
Folkways:
 Norms of routine or casual interaction
 Norms that describe socially
acceptable behavior but do not have
great moral significance attached to
them.
– EX:
 Shake hands when introduced.
 Eating styles,
 Saying excuse me
Laws:
 Written rules of conduct enacted
and enforced by the government.

 Essential for social


stability when violating
mores.
Types of Norms

Folkways Mores Laws


Informal rules Behaviors Formal rules
guiding everyday essential for guiding behavior
behavior society
Written rule of
Has the potential to
Ex. Eating salad with a become a dysfunction of conduct enacted
spoon “Abnormal; not society and enforced for
illegal” Are usually enforced by good of society
Laws

Ex. Killing someone


What do we have in common??
 Culture universals:
– Common features that are found in all human
cultures.

– Anthropologist George Murdock developed


a list of general traits that are common to ALL
cultures (more than 65 cultural universals):
 Cooking, dancing, family, feasting, forms of
greeting, funeral ceremonies, gift giving,
housing, language, medicine, music, myths
and folklore, religions, sports, and tool
making.
Which culture is this ??
Which culture is this ??
Which culture is this ??
Which culture is this ??
Which culture is this ??
Features of culture divided into
3 levels
1. Traits
2. Complexes
3. Patterns
Culture Traits:
 Simplest level
 An individual tool, act, or belief that is
related to a particular situation or
need.
– EX:
 Using knives, spoons, forks
 Saying hi to friend
Culture Complexes:
 Cluster of interrelated cultural traits.
 EX: Football
– Football, helmets, pads, sideline benches,
running, blocking, tackling, rules, penalties.
Culture Patterns:
 The combination of a number of culture
complexes into an interrelated whole.
– EX: Baseball, basketball,
football, soccer, etc…combine to
form the American athletic
pattern.

You might also like