Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics

Final Exam Study Guide

Definition of Culture
• Culture refers to the learned behaviors, beliefs, values, customs, and
traditions that are shared by a group of people. It is passed down
from generation to generation and shapes how individuals think, act,
and interact with the world.
Components of Culture

• Culture consists of material and non-

material components. Material culture
includes physical objects like tools,
buildings, and art. Non-material
culture includes beliefs, languages,
values, norms, and symbols.
Cultural Universals
• Cultural universals are elements, patterns, traits, or institutions that
are common to all human cultures. Examples include family
structures, religious practices, and language.
Cultural Relativism vs. Ethnocentrism
• Cultural relativism is the practice of assessing a culture by its own
standards rather than viewing it through the lens of one's own
culture. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture as
superior to others.
Definition of Society
• A society is a group of individuals who share a common territory and
culture, and who interact with one another. Society is structured by
institutions, roles, norms, and values that guide social behavior.
Role of Social Institutions
• Social institutions such as family, education, religion, government,
and economy play key roles in organizing society. They provide a
framework for social order by establishing norms and roles.
Socialization Process
• Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize
the values, norms, and behaviors of their culture and society. This
process begins at birth and continues throughout life.
Agents of Socialization
• Key agents of socialization include family, peers, schools, media,
and religious institutions. These agents influence an individual’s
beliefs, values, and behaviors.
Definition of Social Institutions
• Social institutions are systems and structures that fulfill the needs of
a society, such as the family, education, religion, and the
government.
Cultural Change and Evolution
• Cultural change refers to the transformation of a culture over time.
This can occur through innovation, diffusion of ideas, globalization,
and social movements.
Political Institutions and Governance
• Political institutions are organizations that create, enforce, and apply
laws. They mediate conflict, make government policy on the
economy and social systems, and provide representation for the
people.
Anthropology: The Study of Humans
• Anthropology is the study of human societies, cultures, and their
development. It examines human behavior, cultural norms, and
social structures across time and space.
Branches of Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology, Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and
Linguistic Anthropology are the main branches. Each examines
different aspects of human existence.
Sociology: The Study of Society
• Sociology is the study of social behavior, interactions, and
structures. It seeks to understand how societies function, how
institutions operate, and how individuals interact within those
societies.
Key Concepts in Sociology
• Some key concepts include social norms, social roles, socialization,
status, and deviance. These are essential for understanding how
individuals and groups function within a society.
Political Science: The Study of Governance
• Political science is the study of politics, political institutions, and
government processes. It explores how power and authority are
distributed and exercised in society.
Social Change
• Social change refers to significant alterations in the social structure
and cultural patterns over time. This can occur due to technological
advances, economic shifts, or social movements.
Cultural Change
• Cultural change occurs when new ideas and beliefs replace
traditional ones. This can happen due to external influences such as
globalization or internal shifts like generational differences.
Political Change
• Political change occurs when there is a shift in governance, policies,
or power structures. This can be driven by social movements,
revolutions, elections, or reforms.
Social Stratification
• Social stratification is the division of society into different ranks or
layers based on factors like wealth, power, or prestige. It creates a
hierarchy where some individuals have more resources and
opportunities than others.
Social Inequality
• Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of resources,
rights, and privileges in a society. It can manifest in income
disparities, access to education, and treatment in legal and social
systems.
Theories of Social Stratification
• Functionalism sees stratification as necessary for society to function
smoothly. Conflict theory views it as a result of competition for
resources, while symbolic interactionism focuses on the day-to-day
impact of stratification on people's lives.
Definition of Globalization
• Globalization refers to the interconnectedness of societies through
trade, communication, technology, and cultural exchange. It has led
to increased interaction among people worldwide but also creates
challenges.
Effects of Globalization
• Globalization has brought economic growth, cultural exchange, and
technological advancements. However, it also poses challenges such
as cultural homogenization, economic inequality, and environmental
degradation.
Cultural Homogenization vs. Cultural
Hybridization
• Cultural homogenization refers to the loss of distinct cultural traits
due to globalization. Cultural hybridization, on the other hand, refers
to the blending of different cultures to form new, hybrid identities.
• Definition of globalization
• How globalization affects cultural practices and values
• Examples of cultural diffusion through globalization.
Definition of Globalization
Globalization is the process where people, businesses, and countries become more
connected and interdependent through trade, communication, and technology1.

How Globalization Affects Cultural Practices and Values

Globalization can change how people live and think by:

Sharing Ideas: People learn about new ways of living and thinking from other cultures.
Mixing Cultures: Different cultures blend together, creating new traditions and practices.
Changing Values: Exposure to different cultures can change what people value and
believe in
Conflict and Cooperation in Society
• Definition of social stratification
• Forms of stratification: Class, caste, race, gender
• Impact of social stratification on opportunities and life outcomes
Youth and Volunteerism
• Definition and types of social movements
• Key examples: Civil Rights Movement, Feminist Movement
• The role of social movements in social and political change
Public Services and Civic Engagement
• Definition of political ideologies
• Common ideologies: Liberalism, conservatism, socialism,
communism
• How political ideologies shape societies and governance
Gender and Society
• Definition of power and authority
• Types of authority: Traditional, charismatic, legal-rational
• Examples of how authority is exercised in different societies
Race and Ethnicity
- Definition of a nation-state
- Characteristics of a nation-state: Sovereignty, territory, population
- How nation-states function in the global system
Power and Authority
- Types of government: Democracy, monarchy, dictatorship
- Features and examples of each system
- How different systems affect political decision-making
Nation-State and Citizenship
- Forms of political participation: Voting, protest, civil disobedience
- Factors that influence political participation
- Importance of political engagement in democratic societies
Social Theories on Power
- Definitions of development and underdevelopment
- Indicators of development: GDP, literacy rate, life expectancy
- Theories explaining why some nations are underdeveloped
Political Ideologies
- Definition and causes of global inequality
- How globalization exacerbates or reduces inequality
• - Examples of global inequalities: Wealth distribution, access to
resources
Democracy and Governance
- Definition of social institutions
• - Major social institutions: Family, education, religion, economy
• - How social institutions structure societies and affect behavior
Political Systems
- Definition of family
- Types of family structures: Nuclear, extended, single-parent
- Roles and functions of family in society
Civil Rights and Human Rights
- Definition of education
- The role of education in socialization and social mobility
- Issues in education: Access, quality, equity
Political Participation
- Definition of religion
- The role of religion in society: Social cohesion, social control
- Different forms of religion: Organized religions, spirituality.
Religion is a system of beliefs and practices related to the worship of a higher power or
god(s). It often includes rituals, moral codes, and a community of believers1.

The Role of Religion in Society

Social Cohesion: Religion helps bring people together, creating a sense of community and
belonging through shared beliefs and practices2.
Social Control: Religion can guide people’s behavior by promoting moral values and norms,
helping maintain order in society.
Different Forms of Religion
Organized Religions: These are structured systems with established doctrines, rituals, and
institutions, like Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.
Spirituality: This is a more personal and individual experience of the divine or sacred, often
without the formal structures of organized religion.
Leadership and Power Structures
- Definition of economy
Economy refers to the system of how money, goods, and services are
produced, distributed, and used in a country or region. It involves
everything from how people earn and spend money to how
businesses operate and how resources are managed1
- Types of economic systems: Capitalism, socialism, mixed economies
- How economic systems impact social class and wealth distribution
Social, Political, and Cultural Change
- Definition of social control
- Mechanisms of social control: Laws, norms, sanctions
- The role of social control in maintaining social order
Definition of Social Control
Social control is the way society tries to make sure people follow its
rules and behave in acceptable ways. This can be done through:

Informal Means: Like customs, traditions, and peer pressure.

Formal Means: Like laws and regulations enforced by the government.
Local and Global Issues
- Definition of social change
- Factors driving social change: Technology, economy, culture
- Examples of significant social changes: Industrial Revolution, digital
age.
Social change means changes in how a society is organized and how
it behaves over time. This can include changes in cultural symbols,
rules, social organizations, or value systems1.
Case Study: Transnational Families
- Definition of urbanization
- Causes and consequences of urbanization
- Issues related to urbanization: Overcrowding, housing, infrastructure
Definition of Urbanization
Urbanization is the process where more and more people move from the
countryside to cities, making cities grow bigger.

Causes and Consequences of Urbanization

Causes:

Jobs: People move to cities for better job opportunities.

Education: Cities often have more schools and universities.
Services: Cities offer better healthcare, entertainment, and other services.
Case Study: Texting Culture
- How society interacts with the environment
- Key environmental issues: Climate change, pollution, deforestation
- The role of government and civil society in addressing
environmental challenges
How Society Interacts with the Environment
Society interacts with the environment in many ways, such as using
natural resources (like water and trees), building homes and cities,
and farming for food. These activities can affect the environment
positively or negatively.
Case Study: Youth Volunteerism
- Definition of transnational families
- Causes and effects of transnational family arrangements
- How globalization impacts family structures across borders
Transnational families are families where members live in different
countries but still stay connected and maintain their relationships.
Causes and Effects of Transnational Family Arrangements
Causes:
Work: One or more family members move to another country for
better job opportunities.
Education: Family members move to study abroad.
Conflict: Families are separated due to wars or political issues.
Observations on Social Change
- Definition and importance of youth volunteerism
- How youth involvement in community work contributes to social development
• - Examples of youth-led initiatives for positive social change
• Youth volunteerism is when young people help others and their community without
getting paid. It’s important because it helps them learn new skills, make friends,
and feel good about making a difference.

• How Youth Involvement in Community Work Contributes to Social Development

• When young people get involved in community work, they:

• Learn Responsibility: They understand the importance of helping others.

• Build Skills: They gain experience that can help them in school and future jobs.
• Strengthen Communities: Their efforts can improve the community and make it a
better place to live.
Cultural Heritage and Preservation
- Definition of local public services
- Types of services: Healthcare, education, transportation
- The role of government in providing accessible and equitable public
servicesLocal Public Services are services provided by the government to help
people in a community.

Types of Services:
Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics where people can get medical help.
Education: Schools where children and adults can learn.
Transportation: Buses and trains that help people get around.
Role of Government: The government makes sure these services are available to
everyone, so all people have equal access to healthcare, education, and
transportation. They work to make these services fair and reachable for
everyone in the community.
Cultural Anthropology Insights
• Ethnocentrism

• Definition: Ethnocentrism is when people believe their own culture is the best and use it as the standard to judge other cultures.

• Impact: This can lead to misunderstandings, stereotypes, and even discrimination because it makes people think other cultures are inferior or wrong12.

• Cultural Relativism

• Definition: Cultural relativism is the idea that we should understand and evaluate other cultures based on their own values and beliefs, not by comparing
them to our own.

• Importance in Anthropology: This approach helps anthropologists study cultures without bias, promoting a deeper understanding and respect for cultural
diversity.

• Comparing Both Perspectives

• Ethnocentrism:

• Viewpoint: Sees one’s own culture as superior.

• Effects: Can cause prejudice, conflict, and a lack of appreciation for other cultures15.

• Cultural Relativism:

• Viewpoint: Sees all cultures as equally valid and worth understanding.

• Effects: Encourages tolerance, respect, and a more accurate understanding of cultural practices
Comparing Disciplines: Anthro, Socio, PolSci
- Definition of nationalism - Nationalism is the belief that a group of
people who share a common culture, language, or history should have
their own independent nation or government. It emphasizes pride in
one's nation and often seeks to promote its interests and unity.
- Types of nationalism: Ethnic, civic, cultural
- How nationalism shapes political movements and national identity
Preparing for the Exam
- Importance of interdisciplinary perspectives
- Encouragement for critical thinking on social, cultural, and political
issues

GOOD LUCK!!!